The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-02
CHIEF C0WtES
 MAY BE DROPPED
 FROM THE FORGE
SHIFTING OF 22 PATROLNIEN BY CAPTAIN SMITH NOW IN CHARGE OF DEPARTMENT, CAUSES STIR IN POLICE
 CIRCLES.

New Haven, Dec. 2-The sweeping shift of twenty-two patrolnaen with the changing of the personnel of the Grand avenue staff as it's objective coming imm ediateIy upon the relin- quishing Of active duty for a couple of weeks by Chief Cowles and coming l through Acting Chief Smiths hands has set astir much discussion and gossip about the possible meaning of this apparently significant action and the causes which lie back of It. Dis
 that the changes are for the benefit 1 of the service many citizens profess to see much of significance, if not in | the changes themselves, then in the circur71s stances under which they were | so quickly brought about.
 There are many of the opinion that these shifts, while the biggest at one time in years, are but the forerunner Of more important changes in the de- partment, and that the move as a l matter of fact is presaging of the ] himself from the headship of the force and the succession to that post of Captain Smith, who is now acting in that capacity. that the changes followed so quickly the relinquishing of duty by Chief Cowles and the fact that the action I was taken apparently by Capt. Smith acting, according to official statements. I on his own authority. Chief Cowles has complained of feeling in i'll health he has asked to be relieved of duty l for the time being. It was expect | ed that he would go away for a, rest but he was still in town last even the football game at Yale Field last Saturday.
 Discussion ragged as to whether this action on the part of the chief and the board might not be preliminary to the resignation of the chief who has been head of the department for many ! years now On the other hand the l suggestion was made that the chief would not resign but that there might be an effort on foot in certain quar- ters to retire him. the result of which it was generally felt that there is something in the wind which has not yet been revealed.
 Mayor Rice last night denied all ad-
 vance knowledge of the shifts or the plans that resulted in the biggest shake-up the department has had in some time. The Mayor said:
 That -shake-up. is the work of Capt. Philip Smith He alone is responsible. He is now in absolute charge of the | police department and he can do any sure he did for the benefit of the ser vice but I had nothing to do with it. did not order, suggest or advise the
 shake-up- Capt. Smith caused the shift and if you ask him am sure he will tell you the same thing"
 But, as a matter Of fact. wasn't the chief in consultation with you very recently2" the Mayor was ask | ed Why, he is always conferring with ] me. said the Mayor with laugh The surprising part of the police cnange came when Chief Cowles told a Journal-Courier reporter that he had nothing to do with the shifts. He
 admitted that despite the fact that the shake-up was the biggest in the de- partment in years, he, as head of the local police department, had not or | dered it. He said his subordinate Capt Smith, was entirely responsible l for the change. He said Smith had received orders from no one to make the changes