Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-02
TELLS OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT
WO0LWINE WRITES OF RE-
CENT UPHEAVAL
FORMER PROSECUTOR GIVES
VERSION OF CAMPAIGN
Claims Grand Jury investigation Into
Alleged Vice and Graft of Los
Angles Was stifIed by
Those in Power

The current Worlds Work contains
contribution, "The Story Of Law En-
forcement," from Thomas Lee Wool
wine. which is subheaded How the
energetic enforcement of the statute
led to a political upheaval in Los An
geles." 1t was prepared by Mr.. WOOL
wine in response to a request from the
editors of the Worlds Work for state
ment regarding the recent unique up
heaval."
The editors precede Mr.. Woolwine S
article with the following note; Mr..
Woolwine's experience pictures the
confusion of laws which is common all
over the country and explains now
publicity and public opinion are doing
part of the laws work"
when l became prosecuting attor-
ney in Los Angeles says Mr.. WOOL
wine, Il determined to enforce all the
laws on the statute books, to enforce
them with absolute impartiality, and
in their enforcement To strike at any
private individual or officeholder who
might attempt to block the way. Mine
was not a campaign of morals, but
simply a fight for equal law enforce
ment.
Il took the office with the distinct
understanding that 1 should be un-
law in my own way without interfer-
ence."
Talks of Agitation
After description of the bucket
shop and club raids Mr.. Woolwine tells
of the agitation over the 'redlight'
district, and the efforts to remove him
prior to the grand jury investigation.
Regarding the grand jury he says:
"There were some inquisittve men on
that jury, led by Wesley Clark, man
of great courage and honesty of pur-
pose, who insisted on n full investiga-
ton. But the machine forces, backed
by the district attorney and foreman,
succeeded in sitting the inquisition in
such manner as practically to white
wash all parties concerned. The grand
jury was thereupon dismissed with the
usual thanks from the court for Its
long, arduous and patriotic laborsl
'"rhe result of that alleged grand jury
investigation was foreSeen long before
its report was filed. Other forces had
been at work. The Herald, a morning
daily, began quietly securing evidence
of vice protection especially with ref
erence to the exploitation among liquor
dealers and others of stock in the sugar
and oil corporations partially owned by
the mayor and the immunity Of the
purchasers from molestation by the po
lice department. The result was made
public in a series of articles published
in that paper, under the heading Is
Vice Protected in Los Angeles?' which
did much to awaken public interest
and to put into operation the machinery
of the recall provisions of our city
charter.
To Remove Whitewash
"Now for the sequel. There was
something so inconsistent in the grand
jury investigation and report and the
succeeding events as TO cause grave
speculation in the already overcharged
public mind. The whiteWash had to be
ing less. All the machines power had
been exerted to save its loyal ones, and
now the angEy waves were reaching for
the rescuers. Some man out of that
party Of malefaCtors must be indicted
some sacrifice must be offered up in
such an emergency. This unhappy fate
fell to Broadhead and SChenck, who
were indicted. respectively, for bribery
and attempted bribery. oswald got an
immunity bath. Kern and Harper were
passed by with this gentle rebuke:
From the evidence adduced during
this investigation it is the unanimous
belief of this grand jury that large
amounts of money were paid for the
protection of prostitution in the So
called "redlight" district to certain
public and eX-public officials of this
city under investigation, other than
those indicted However, owing to the
lack of sufficient corrobOrating evil
dence, we are of the opinion it would
be impossible to convict such officials If
indicted
But, while most of the offenders will
escape the law, the public is also es-
Gaping their misgovernment."