Evening journal., 1913-10-10
FRIDAY OCT. 10. 1913.
sOME rERrINENr QursTIONs.

SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
A an aftermath Of the Battle of Baxters Corner
"A and the death Of Homer Cleveland wiggins, man
killer and carbarn bandit the Board Of Police Com
missioners has done two important things this week.
It has decided to investigate the circumstances pre-
redent attending tho Battle Baxters Corner
and it has amended the rules governing the appoint
ment ' to the force. The object Of those amend
ments is to get men who are younger and better mt
for police duty.
Those things are all right but by far the more inn
porant of them is the proposed investigation Of the
events leading up to and attending the Battle of Bax-
ters Corner That investigation, If properly conduct
ed viii enable the commissioners TO discover and cure
the weak spots the Police Department as exists
today. Here are questions that might be asked
with profit to the department and the public the de-
partment is maintained 20 protect.
Why was il that Virgins, who born and raised
here. who had laWless record and who known
many members of the police force permitted to
establish his residence within squares OF the po-
lice headquarters. and to freely al Streets
by night and by day, without being disguised in any
particular?
Why was n that uniformed policemen instead Of
dressed In plain clothes, sent repeatedly to
the house at Fourth and shpley streets to make in
quiry bout Virgins when it suspected that the
escaped man-killer was rooming there?
NShy It that mon N plain clothes not kept
constantly IN the house to watch the coming and coins
Of The odger and, II Investigation should disclose
that he Wi--ins, to seize him when he was OFF his
guard?
why was It that Miss Healing, the young woman in
the house directed inform only certain police
in event of the return Of the suspected odger?
Why "a Chief Of Police Black kept in ignor-
ance Of the discovery of the suitcase containing the
wigs and false moustache?
Why It there such long delay In police ac-
ton tween the time Miss Healing ent 10 Police
Headquarters and lodged the information that the
pect in his and the advent of Patroman
Davidson at Fourth and shirley streets?
WIZ was it that during that interval word Of the
impending action by the police was teephoned to
Chief Of Police Black who says he had left definite
instructions that he be kept informed Immediately Of
any developments in the case?
Why it there seemed to be a disposition In cer-
tain quarters to keep him in ignorance of what was
about 10 be done?
Why was IT that Patrolman Davidson a much larger
man than Virgins and armed with a pistol did not
force his way into the when Virgins sleepy and
only partly dressed and without weapon in hand open
ed the door in response to Miss Healing's summons?
Why was it that Patrolman Davidson, falling in that
and also in the realization that he had control of the
only the Virgins room left that door and ran
out in the street. thus leaving the way clear for Wig
gins to escape by of the Of the house. had he
been disposed to do so?
Why was il that no demand made upon Virgins
to surrender further than the assertion Of Patrolman
Davidson that as Virgins slammed the door in his
face he said: "open that door, you ---- - -
-- I'll blow your head on?"
Why II tha. the other policemen. when they ar
rived failed to hold parley with Virgins and also
failed to realize that they had him, like rat in a
trap with the police guarding the only exit the
except the two front windows. a plunge from
either of which would have meant sheer fall Of four
stories and consequent death disabling injury TO the
trapped bandit?
Why WIS It the police. after they had received heavy
reinforcements, failed shove open the OF Wig
gins room. which was held only by a small wooden
button and washstand. and. by a concerted rush.
orerwhelm him; or. IL they afraid TO do that.
why was they did not sit tight outside, awaiting the
arrival Of other and holder men?
why was It that. If such a policy OF assault we're
ueemeu un"ise policy of starvation and the use OF
Nerpowering fumes not resorted to-
Nhy vas Il deemed necessary with man homeless
" trapped and without veshge Of food for the police
20 shoot mp house in effort to rede him with
bullets and shot TO errorize its honest inmates and
me surrounding neighhorhood and 10 alarm, and
mock city by such an unnecessary bombardment as
Fas resorted to against young criminal who , 81,
ntents and purposes already captured in that
le placed that he had no earthly opportunity
or escape?
Why It that It until after the Battle Of
Baxers Corner in full swing and had been lheard
" policeman at Sixth and Broome streets who
roused Chief Black. that the operator Police Head
quarters called up the chief and informed him the feht
Fith Virgins in progress?
Those only few OF the pertinent questions that
pieht be asked by the Police Commissioners. Beyond
ali that they should ascertain what bearing hunger
Tor the reward for Virgins had the situation
As yes it, however the fundamental questions