Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-24
Says His Office Might Be Dis
credited Were He to Give As
sistance in Serving War
rants of Constables.
HITS AT STATES ATTORNEY
Declares Latter Never Evinced Desire
to Prosecute Gamblers, and That
Public Did Not Cooperate With
Him-F1imsy Excuses.

Sheriff Edward Kittilsen stated TO-
day that he intends to make no answer
to the demand for an explanation OF
his conduct in connection with the
gambling raids made upon him by the
Dispatch of Moline. He did say, how
ever, that the statements made by GER
tain constables to the effect that he
had refused to serve warrants was not
true. He says that on several occa-
sions he refused to send deputies
from his Office along with constables
in order to help the latter serve pa
pers because, he says, he had reason
to believe that settlement would be
made by the constable and that his Of
flee would thereby be discredited He
states that he is willing to serve any
papers that are given to him to serve
but that he will not do the actual work
in some constable's name. His reason
for not raiding the gamblers himself
was two-fold. First, he said, the people
Of the city who apparently wanted the
raids made would not assist him In get
ting evidence and information TO be
used against the law breakers, and sec
ond the states attorney had not evinc-
ed any desire to prosecute the gam
blers after they were arrested.
Never without Evidence.
Regardless of the relations between
the offices of the sheriff and the states
attorney, the former had ample means,
as everybody knows, of informing him
self as to conditions in Rock Island.
The Argus has not only repeat
ediy set forth the situation here,
but has presented all the evidence
he needed on which TO base a raid. II
will be vfvidly recalled that a year and
half ago, when the sheriff closed the
gambling houses and other disreput!
able resorts, he gave out voluntarily to
the newspapers an interview, In which
he said that his action at that time
could be accepted as a solemn warning
to lawbreakers that there would be no
gambling or other violations while he
was IN the Office of sheriff. When, at
that time, some question arose as to
the motives back of the sheriff's move
he became highly indignant. and de.
clared that his record would show the
sincerity of his course. His explana-
ton of his failure to cooperate with
on the ground that he might
not get credit for what might happen.
that there might be some miscarriage
Of circumstances, is really too fiimsy
10 seriously consider.
Not Yet Too Late.
1t is the duty Of the sheriff to respond
10 any demand for assistance in the
of law. For that matter,
ne does not need any information from
any source. If he knew, and he must
nave known, If he knew anything, that
gambling was rampant here. and that
every form of violation against which
he set himself IS months ago.
was being conducted, he was not re-
luired to ask the consent of the states
attorney or anybody else TO make the
aids. He could have proceeded as he
lid in the first instance. He could have
discharged his own duty at least. He
AN still discharge it. Sheriff Kittil7
sen does not have to step out Of his
,wn Office TO get all the information he
wants about gambling in Rock Island,
md he could not possibly fail to know
he true situation.
Sheriff Kittilsen was applauded by
III of the newspapers when he made
lis first raids, and was assured that II
.e meant business he would have their
hearty cooperation and support in car
ying out his promises.
U. S. Consul at Florence Dead.
Washington, Sept. 24.-Jerome A.
Ouay a1od 70 American copeui AZ