The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-11-10
THE Civic League of Duluth

THE Civic League" of Duluth
has been hopping onto Mayor Gull
lun for some time and recently Bert
N. Whether, who at one time was
a candidate for superintendent OF
schools on a poetic platform
addressed a personal letter to the
Mayor making a general kick on
conditions. The answer of Mayor
Cullun is characteristic of that
gentleman and contains much food
for thought not only in Duluth but
in every town in the country.
The mayor said:
Received your personal COM
munication; and have to say that
the campaign contribution came
little earlier than I expected, but
contains about the matter that
might have been expected.
There may be a Civic League;
there may be members of that
league that are really interested in
the general uplift movement. II
there are any such members they
are always welcome at the mayor S
Office; but from the fact that have
no evidence of any considerable
number interested in that lorganiza-
ton, and from the fact that about
election time they disclose &C.
cumulated matter of ancient dates,
and from the furthur fact that they
have not proceeded to demand
arrest and conviction on the
evidence obtained, I am obliged to
believe that the organization is g
semi-political one, and not one
interested in making any special
Roadway. From the best informa,
ton that I have, you and one OF
two others are the whole organiza,
ton, as l have never yet heard OF
any action taken by such organiza,
ton furthering any humane project
other than the prosecution of those
violating the law, and more
especially of the prostitutes.
have never heard of any effort you
have made to reform the male
prostitute; I have never seen any
any of the members of your or.
ganization hanging around the
police court with an offer of help
or aid to those who have missed il
in life; have never known your
organization being active in the
securing of establishments of relief
or helpfu1ness in any direction. II
you are interested in child labor
just taxation, refuge homes lodging
houses, sanitary conditions, or any
other humane project, I have never
heard of it. Neither have hearc
in any instance of your giving
credit to any other who have these
motives at heart.
Many of your personal report:
have been untrue, and your public
reports bear the stamp of bad faith
You report has having don,
very little. This is in marked
contrast with the progress made by
a number of other relief organiza
tions that have been differed BY
capable men and women who were
willing to cooperate with the city
and the authorities at every OPP
portunity offered; and I doubt i
any of them will complain that
have not met them half way ii
every commendable project.
I have never had it intimatet
that your organization approved O
single commendable thing sug
gested by this Office in relation t,
any of the subjects or any of til,
objects recited above, and I hav,
proposed very many Innovation
and projects looking towards the
adjustment of the social evil, ans
1 have read all of the report:
that you refer to, and watched
their workings, and have beer
advised of the results. And
will say now that if the public anc
those responsible for these condi.
lions, will do one-half of tn,
things recommended by thes,
various commissions, will do al
that is required of me. In othcl
words, will meet this community
more than half way in any com
mennable move.
Perhaps such an organization
as yours capably differed, with
legitimate motives, might make
some Roadway, and I might venture
to suggest the thought that the
reorganization of your society
might result in some lasting good.
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