Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-06-26


the state Of all forms Of lawlessnesa
was demonstrated yesterday when he
took a hand in the affairs Of the po-
lice department of Salem. He went TO
the vicinity Of the new armory, in
company with an officer, and, in con-
versatlon with the officer, said that
the state had spent thousands Of
dollars In the Improvement Of the ar
mory property, and the officers al
lowed questionable resorts to be main
talned close by. He stated that, II
the officers did not force the people
out that were conducting the illegal
houses, that he would call out the
militia and throw the occupants into
the street
AS to what evidence the governor
has against the place is not known at
this time. The governor claims to
have sufficient evidence against the
place to close II up under the state
law, and from the frame OF mind that
he appeared in yesterday, when asked
about the matter II is quite evident
that he means to make a cleaning In
the locality mentioned. II the local
officers do not clean up the place
within. few days, the governor will
call upon the Acknowledgement to rid
the premises Of the form Of vice which
he claims is located there. Whether
the lawlessness existing there is a
violation Of the law controlling the
liquor traffic or other forms Of Illegal
practice is not known at this time
Tho governor has secured from the
books at the city hall the names Of ali
persons that have been arrested for
drunkenness, and It Is understood that
he means to see that liquor Is not sold
to these men. II a saloon sells drinks
to any OF them, and the governor
finds II out, he states, that he viii
send a force OF men and have tho
doors Of the place Of business nailed
up.
When seen this morning Governor
West said: ~ guess there is not
much doubt that there Is property near
the armory that Is used for immoral
purposes. In fact, used as a house OF
prostitution and that no one but a
d---n fool would say 10 the contrary
/ intend to see that there Is a good,
wholesome enforcement Of the state
and city laws. and II is up to me, un-
der the constitution, to see that such
enforcement is had. Those who obey
the laws have nothing to fear in
tend to see that the city, county and
state officials who receive the tax
payers money for enforcement Of the
laws shall do their duty, and II they
do, there Is nothing for this office to
do"
IN the absence Of Chief OF Police
Hamilton, Patrolman Burkhart was
interviewed on the subject, and states
that the governor Is obout two weeks
behind In his demands. About two
weeks ago the chief police notified
al places Of an immoral character
that they must close their places Of
business, AZ he was going 10 clean mp
the city The place referred 10 by the
governor was one oi those receiving
notice. One place has closed mp on
the order given at that time A num-
Der Of persons at the lodging houses
we're alAo notified 70 leave the city
The following letter has been mailed
10 the mayor Of Salem:
TO the Honorable Mayor and City
Council Of the city Of Salem. Ore.
Gentlemen. An examination Of the
docket Of your police court reveals
the fact that $50 persons we're con-
yicted aDd fined for drunkenness dur.
ing the period from January to June
q, i9i2--a little less than six months.
. understand these figures do not GOV
or those who were discharged without
being given q fine.
Those figures should convince any
reasonable person that the saloons Of