Smyrna times., 1913-01-15
CITIZENS OF SMYRNA URGE
MORE POLICE PROTECTION
IMPLORE TOWN COUNCIL ACT
OR THEY WILL TAKE A HAND
Ask for Straight Out and Out Police
for the Suppression of Drunkeness,
Disorder and Vice in Smyrna

|
been Witnessed in a long time, awak-
ened Smyrna Town Council at its reg
ular meeting Friday evening, when
some twenty or twenty-five represen
tative citizens of Smyrna, members
of Citizens League, marched in
body to Town Council and through
their elected spokesman, Rev. Thomas
Getz Hill, asked for hearing in the
interest Of good police protection and |
public morals. President Reynolds |
and all the members of Council were
present except Councilman S. A. |
Fortner and the delegation was given |
a respectful hearing. Rev. Hill out |
lined the object of their coming and |
addresses were made by n. F., Wilds,
William FAIRIES, Rev. w. D. Parry,
Walter o. Hoffecker, Lewis M.
Price, Charles H. LeFevre, Esq, and
others. The sentiment of all was
that the time had come for rigid ac-
tiOn in the matter of police protection
and public morals and urged upon
Council to divorce the Office of Chief
of Police and Street Supervisor and
to provide policeman whose duty it
should be to give all of his time to
ameliorating the wretched conditions
in Smyrna in regard to speakeasies
drunkenness, swearing, loaing and
unbecoming conduct and nuisances
that have been the terror and talk of
the town for months. They also fav-
Ored surpressing the moving picture
show, alleging that it had bad and
unwholesome effect upon the youth of
Smyrna, and demanded that Night
Watchman John Wick be clothed with
full police power all the time, day
and night. They Informed Council
thev wanted immediate action and if
it was not forthcoming they would
take the matter in their own hands.
If funds were not, available they
would be willing that they and their
constituents stand an additional as
sessment, that proper police protection
might be given Smyrna.
Reynolds Explains Councils Position
President Reynolds on behalf of
Council welcomed the movement and
commended the spirit that brought the
delegation before them. He said
Council agreed with everything that
had been said but the difficulty was
to get a man in Smyrna who as an
officer would enforce the town laws
without fear or favor. With this
statement and almost with one voice
the cry came from the delegation
''get policeman from out of town. -
Rev. Parry told of police service anC
how it worked at Piedmont, West
Va Others suggested that Council ap-
ply to the City Department of Phila
delphia or Wilmington. "Get us (
good, fearless man, was the cry
Finally, President Reynolds assured
the delegation Council would act ol
their suggestion and do what the.
could.
Council Employs Lee Cochran as Chic
The next day President Reynold
had Lee Cochran of Middletown, visi
him and after hearing the reference
he brought and the proposition he ha,
to make, called special meeting o
Council Saturday evening with ever.
member present. Councilman Lloy
said he had been in conference wit
Chief Black of the Wilmington Polio
Department that day but could lear
of no available man at that time
President Reynolds told of his confer
ence with Mr.. Lee Cochran, and be
lieved he would be the right man i
the right place. Mr.. Cochran aske
for a trial to prove his worth and sal
if Council employed him, he woul
move his family to Smyrna and tax
up residence. With the assurance MI
Cochran gave, coupled with the test
mony acquired concerning his feal
Iessness as an officer and his sobriet
as man, Council on motion of Mi
LLOYD and second of Mr.. Wright, en-
ployed him for $50 per month begin
ming to-day, Wednesday, January Il
18th. If he stays permanently,
is to receive two uniforms year
addition to his salary. He will ser'
from one O'Clock in the afterno'
until one O'Clock at night.
Turner and Wick Before Council
With the hiring of Lee Cochran
Chief Of Police of the Town of Smyrn
B. w. Turner was made First A
sistant and summoned before Coun'
and told that his salary and dut
would 90 on the balance Of the muI
cipal term just the same with the
ception he would be assistant poll
subject to orders from Chief Cochra
b CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE