The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-11-29
Says Hell Decide in Week or
Ten Days Whether Changes
Are Necessary
ssIS THERE MORE CRIME
THAN USUALLY" HE ASKS
Commissioner Sure Crooks
Haven't Grown Bolder Because
Croul Has Been Displaced


To job" said Police Commissioner
Gillespie. Friday. when asked how he
intends to treat the wave of crime
that has swept the Italian colony, and
has also caused more numerous re-
ports than usual OF aold-ups, bur
&1Aries and safe-crackings.
In about week or 10 days, ex
pact TO be able to tell whether the
m1n now in charge are able to handle
the situation, or whether ] shall have
to make new recomm endations." con
tinued the commissioner.
II have been studying the depart
hont I have gone to the stations al
htSht ! have walked beats. have
trled to md out just how the men do
their work. Not a. a spy, understand.
but In an endeavor to become familiar
With every angle Of the department.
When have finished. I'll be able to
III better what ought to be done.
Capt. Palmer and Supt Downey are
IA full control l have made no rec
bnmendations whatsoever. Is there
~ much more crime? don't know
Int there n. It's up to them.
~ for the Italian situation. it's q
gnmo Of checkers. No. shoots No. Z !:
fbon . friend Of the dead man. No. 3.
shoots No. I; then No. I. . friend Of
No. 1. goes after No. 3. We've got
70 line up the Italians who are on
4 di0Dorent DIDO ct the feud. When any
thing hapDeus TO one side, we've got
I - cover evgf4body who ID .cOnnectSd
Win the other side That.-l believe
~ me only way We can handle that
animation. Capt. Palmer IL busy with
&, and he will be given enough men
- put stop. 70 the shQoupgs.
my o1lcers <e,l~me that srime-runs
/ # cycles There will be very little
~ awhile. and then n will be very
vifu1ent suppose we're in one OF
thooe crime cycles now"
# IT has been suggested" said the re-
Porter. that under Commissions
Cfoul there was little crime. and that
tAe present outbreak may be due TO
StIke change OF administration"
II. don't see that there's any excuse
Tor that talk" the commissioner re-
plied. II have made no new orders or
roe0mm endations. The same men are
DOING the work who did 1t under MIR.
Cioul and Mr.. Smith. II there has
ht&a any Increase II crime, the cause
II ua13k be looked for in some other ar
:Srection. Certainly. the brains OF the
men haven't been changed.
TN : week or 10 days I shall be
Alba to tell. definitely Just what In
ted TO d6Nhether I shall continue
! ~ loave II ia the men to work out the
problem. or whether ! shall see At to
reo1mmend changesv
The commissioner II holding daily
confersnces with Supt DOwney and
~ various department heads for the
purpose Of deciding on some definite
DIan Of improving the efficiency OF the
lapartment.
"'The discipline in the uniform
ranks must be improved" said the
commissioner. THE men are not will
4ul1y disobedient nor disloyal The
fI1Qa and regulations OF the depart
Dont have not been enforced as strict
ly,as they should have been. and the
shAn have grown careless. l do not
think conditions are worse then they
wete when came In here.
II have found that many officers
Openly violate the rules OF the depart
ment because their superior officers
have never attempted TO correct
\ them"
Buch infractions as smoking while
on duty In the police station or In the
police barns will not be permitted In
nfure to 60 unpublished Ofiicers
VIII also be asked to be more care
ful About their personal appearance
while on duty. especially in the po-
lice stationS. The sergeants and lieu.
tenants behind the desks will not be
allowed to lounge with their coats
and collars removed.
Also. 0f1cers registering prisoners
Will not be allowed to question them
regarding the charge made against
them. 1t kas been the custom for the
Omcer behind the desk TO hold a
~rumhead'' court while registering
prisoner. but hereafter the prelimi-
rary examination will be made by
competent officers In private room
Regarding the detective bureau,
the commissioner has no definite plan
Tor Its REORGANIZATION at present. From
source outside police headquarters
comes report that new head for
the detective bureau may be sought
outside the present list OF eligibles In
the department.
The commissioner does not cues.
lion the loyalty or the Willingness OF
the men In the detective bureau hut
thu detective work In the Italian fued
investigation so far has been devoid
OF any initiative on the part OF the OF.
ncers themselves or the men in
charge The detectives have proceed
ed about their work In a mechanical
sort OF way that has not heen nro.
dnotiye Of results. particularly on
cases where real head work" r.
needed.
commissioner Gillespie fears 10
make any drastic changes that will
- Hkev TO upset the equilibrium of
Inc department. bnt he feels that no
& puW take steps At once to correct
some OF the evils that exist.
~ Is q hard job with which 10 con.
front q new ~maE says tirp cJm mrs.
e1oner. II realize that the pubIIc ave
y conferred on the police department
eou mean to do nv best ff- iynnrovs
tts emciency CpHofflons- tihst have
exhted for wears tannot no corrsc,a "a
OF even months. That Is
Am proceeding slowly. \ want
~ propositions and dispose
FltnUnt distsrbing .he hal,
- ~ z, must exist in the depart.
19rees " Italians crowded into
e<~tAe. Holy fxmfiy. PORT
$50 rsursday .morninx,
lI 8 4 ~ ooIomn mas Tor WHO
W. vs. ~ 1'u'>--sn-'-~--ss-'--s