The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-12-03
COUNCIL D|CUSSEO
IMPORTANT MATTERS
Gormon Expressed Views on
the ACCESSIBILITY of Mer-
chant Police.
DISCUSSED MARKET
Lights Are Asked Behind
All the Business Houses
Auditing on Alleys.

The project of placing lights behind
all business houses abutting on alleys
was referred to the committee on Or
dinances by the city council last even
ing. The advisability of a merchant
police to assist the police department
brought forth a diversity of opinion.
Chief of Police Gormon, upon the re-
quest of the city council, outlined his
views on the question. A number of
councilmen heartily favored the inno-
walton.
Councilman Weishaupt brought up
the question Of whether or not it was
foolish ordinance proposed at the last
meeting of the council that the saloon
keepers should be forced to have a
light placed in the rear of their sa-
looms during business hours. THE sa-
looms have lights at their rear en-
trance" said Weishaupt. This is to
show people where the back entrance
Is and is an advertisement. 1t is after
they close that trouble ensues, and we
do not compel them to have a light
then. This ordinance ought to cover
all business houses abutting on al
leys, and all apartment houses and pri-
vate residences where there is a court
between the alley and the building"
Members of council agreed with
Weishaupt and referred the matter to
the ordinance committee, who will re-
port at the next regular meeting.
Merchant Police.
The question relative to merchant
police was brought up by Councilman
Vessel Vessel said the recent burg
laries might have been prevented had
there been a merchant police with
proper authority. 1.-The business blocks
and private residences cannot be pro-
tected by the small police force we
have now" said Vessel. 1.-The beats
of the policemen are too large and
many of them are not especially fond
of walking. / have talked with many
of the merchants who are in favor of
the merchant police, but some will not
pay for them as they think they are
properly protected with the police de-
partment."
Mayor Zimmerman decidedly oppos-
ed any action on the part of the coun-
Gil toward advising the merchants fav-
orably of the scheme. He told the
council it would look as though the po-
lice force was incompetent, which it is
not according to the mayor. 1--WE have
very little need of police and have very
few robberies." said Zimmerman.
Councilman Weishaupt did not agree
with the mayor Merchant police do
good in other cities and will do good
in Richmond" he said. Let a commit
tee be appointed and if it reports that
it would not be advisable we will then
give up the idea, but it deserves con-
sideration."
Gormon Called on.
Chief of Police, l. A. Gormon was
called upon by the council to give his
opinion. Mr.. Gormon said: Merchant
police are all right in some cases
where they are needed. The matter
should be optional with the merchants,
and the request that they be added
should come from them rather than
the council, and they will have to be
paid by the merchants. l am the peo-
pies servant and do not want to die
tate to the council what it shall do.
! do my duty as we'll as l know how
and as much as l can. l am willing to
appear before any committee which
may be appointed by the council or
Commercial club and account for any
action of mine since l have been in
the employ of the city. l am fearless
of any question which may be asked
me and l consider that my work as
chief of police will compare favorable