The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-11-09
TO PROBE
POLICE CHARGES
CITY COUNCIL TOOK ACTION TO
PROBE THE ALLEGED POLICE
CHARGES ON REcoMMENpA-
TON OF MAYoR-PoLIcE Wo-
MAN TO BE NAMED.

The city council on recommendation
or Mayor Sweet too official action to
probe the alleged charges of corrup-
ton in the police department at the
adjourned session OF that body last
night. Not only does the motion pro-
viding for this investigation cover the
police department but all city officials
are included, even the aldermen them
selves.
The original motion to probe the po-
lice matter was made by Alderman
Stewart and amended with a substi-
u motion providing for the investi-
cation of all city officials, aldermen
included. by Alderman Cupler. The
Cupler motion was unanimously carrt-
ed. In speaking of the matter to the
council at the opening of the ses-
sionS Mayor Sweet said:
i am informed that grating has
been going or in the police depart
meat. Also it is alleged that three
gambling houses are paying the chief
or police for protection. Another ru-
NOR Is afloat that the chief recently
purchased city warrants tt the ex-
tent of $1,000. Investigating this mat
ter thoroughly / have found that the
latter charge was not based on any
reliable authority. I am told affidavits
were sworn o. and placed in the Of
nee of the police magistrate but that
SacS dA ~ y ItoNs I1lSSS
derstand were signed by Tweeden,
Carter and Rust.
of those claimed to have signed
aftidavits I have only seen Alderman
Bolene, who denied making the same.
l consider these accusations so grave
/ have decided not to wait for specific
charges to be preferred and recon-
mend to the council to start an in
Vestigation at once. The city attor-
ney and I have already been investi-
eating" n#
There was some objection to the
Stewart motion as it was felt by some
that an appointed committee by the
mayor could not accomplish as much
as the mayor himself in the matter
and would have no power to summon
witnesses to appear before it.
Salaries Reported. ....."
In connection with this matter the
committee appointed to investigate
the salaries paid to certain members
OF the police force reported that three
members of the department were he
ing paid in excess of what the ordin-
ance provided. These three were he
desk sergeant, one patrolman and the
plain clothes man. The city auditor
was instructed to prepare a list of the
salaries for each month hereafter So
that the same could be checked over
ny IlS SdIdTS COHHllLJSe,
The mayor stated that If any of the
members of the police department
were receiving larger salaries than
they hould he was not aware of it
and in the cases pointed out he said
it was probably due to a misunder-
standing of the length Of the term Of
each Of oVerpaid officers. .
Police Matron Granted.
Judge Amidon. heading a committee
comprising Professor McArdie and
President Creegan of Fargo college,
appeared before the council last night
asking for the appointment of a po-
lice woman in the city. He said the
city had grown to that place where
it needed such al officer. AT the con-,
cluston Of his talk. Alderman Jardine
presented a resolution prepared by
Judge Amidon, which provided for the
creation of such an officer in this
city who will be appointed by the
mayor at a salary Of not more than
$1,000 a ear.
The resolution carried unanimously,
which was gratifying to the members
of the committee and to those who
have long labored for the creation of
such an officer in this city.
City Engineer Anders stated a num-
Der of people in the city who were
building had failed to secure building
permits, and would be fined. He also
said tina in the event Of back water
rents, the water would be turned off.
A test OF city filtration plant will COM
mence next Monday and MI. Anders
said Prof. G. r. Ruediger of Grand
Forks will help with the test.
Following the reading of the reports
OF the corporation officers and the Sec
ond reading of several ordinances, re-
ferring to the junk dealers and the
increase of the salary of the city
health officer to $1,000, the council ad-
health officers salary was voted
down. The committee investigating
a proper site for the proposed city
market asked to postpone it's report
until the next meeting, which request
was granted.