Evening journal., 1913-11-11

14S.) Captain Evans came TO the
same conclusion-it was not Virgins
(Record pages so and SD In fact
there seems to have been no suspi-
cion whatever on the part of any Of
ficer that the stranger at the Baxter
house was Virgins. Several callsl
we're made at the house by officers
Saturday and Sunday but without re-
suit Sunday evening Miss Healing
notified Captain Evans the stranger
was in his room. The time of re-
ceiving this notice Is in dispute. It
must have been quite a little after
ten o'clock If the information given
Sergeant Wardle be correct, viz. that
Virgins went to his mothers home
about five or ten minutes after nine
o'clock on Sunday evening Septem-
Der 2Sth and went TO bed. but what
ever the exact time we are not pre-
pared to find that Captain Evans was
derelct IN his duty in waiting to get
into touch with Ofioer Davidson be-
fore sending an officer TO the Baxter
house. Il must be remembered that
Davidson was familiar with the re-
ports. knew Virgins, was on that
district, and that Captain Evans and
every other officer familiar with Ser
geant Kellehers report had con-
cluded that the stranger was not
wiygins.
There are a few further matters
to be considered among the events
prior 10 the entry OF officer Davidson
into the Baxter building on the night
Of September 2sth at 11.3O o'clock.
Il. Was Sergeant Kellehers re-
port OF finding Virgins made to or in
the presence Of Sergeant Tucker then
acting captain?
%. Should this report have been
in writing?
"3 Should this report have beer
communicated to the chief, and II
SO, was there any motive in the fail
ure so to communicate it?
I'VE shall consider these questions
m their order in measure combin-
ing one and two.
Some Conflicting Testimony.
"The testimony as to whether Ser
eeant Tucker was informed by Ser
geant Kelleher is conflicting. The
testimony OF Sergeant Tucker is that
he was not informed The testimony
Of Captain Evans and Sergeant Kel-
leher Is that he was informed. We
can see very little to be gained by
our forming any conclusion as to
which is correct. II does appear.
however. that both Captain Evans
and Acting Captain Tucker we're in
the station at the time Sergeant Kel-
leher, was there and Sergeant Tucker
was just going off duty for the day.
ta.. 4. h.
the future the exact order for each
captain going on and off duty should
be fixed and all reports should be
made to the captain on duty. Again
It would appear to be for the better
ment Of the service that all reports
should be written, four copies made
when made by the patrolmen and
three copies when made by the SER
geants. One report for the chief. one
for the captain, one for the sergeants
and one for the patrolman. The ser
geant and patrolman each retaining
a copy OF the report made by him.
In view OF the fact that Sergeant
kelleher was then clear in his owr
mind that his discovery was Of nc
consequence, we do not censure hin
for failure TO put his report in writ
ing, but what follows shows the i'm.
possibility OF always correctly jude-
ing at the time the importance Of any
particular fact We therefore ad-
wise that In the future all reports he
made In writing and that the respon-
sibility and consequence OF any
omissions therefrom shall be upon
the person making the report.
IN considering whether this report
should have been in writing. we have in
a manner answered the third question
as 70 whether the report should have
been communicated to the chief. bnt tbe
third question needs to be further an.
swered. We are Of the opinion that the
only reason that the chief was not in
formed Of the finding of the wigs was
because II was considered Of no real
consequence. and that the reason was
not one OF jealousy or the desire Of anv
one officer TO gain individual glory. But
our conclusion on this point will rot ne.
cessarily be the conclusion Of other. per
sons, and II SEEMS pertinent to add al
TINS point that the Police Department
is maintained at the public expense
solely for the protection of the public
10 properly protect the lives and prom
erty Of the public in a city of this siz,
the Police Department must be eficien
and must have the confidence of m
public. The chief must be the chief ex
ecutive officer in fact az well as in nam
and this he cannot be unless kent frll,
informed. Personal differences and zeal
ousies have no place in a well regulate
police system aud cannot he tolerate,
On the other hand the highest eflicienc
cannot be attained II the chief IL otbe,
wise than impartial TO the men updc
him. Again individual effort alone ,ri
not produce the desired results ina
can be obtained only by each individus
giving his best efforts in coniunctio
with the best efforts of every other II
dividual-that is. organized effort.
We were convinced that anything in IN
Virgins case had been done or left III
done for improper reasons. we shoul
not hesitate 10 hew TO the line. "
think If our suggestion pertaining TO n
ports be adopted many difficulties wi
be overcome. But there is another COZ
dition existing that of necessity has
tendency towards Reorganization an
individual rather than organized effor
that is rewards While the rewar,
may not have affected the manner
handling this case many persons ma
believe so and the entire force Is Il
loser thereby. We are firmly of n
opinion that all rewards should 60 ini
the pension fund, but as this cannot |
done without amendment OF statute
cannot at present be put into effec
Rule Sc provides;
No member Of the police force
shall receive OF share in for his
own benefit. under any pretense
whatever. any present, fee OF emol-