Evening journal., 1913-10-10
FRIDAY OCT. 10. 1919.
soME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.

S aftermath Of the Battle OF Baxters Corner
n and the death of Homer Cleveland Wiggins. man
killer and carbsrn bandit, the Board OF Police Com
mssioners has done two important things this week.
It has decided investigate the circumstances pre-
eedent attending the Battle of Baners Corner.
and It has amended the rules governing the appoint
ment Z men TO the force. The object of those amend
ments is TO get who younger and better ht
for police duty.
Those things are all right but by far the more inn
portant of them is the proposed investigation of the
events leading to and attending the Battle OF Bax
ter's Corner That investigation II properly conduct
ed will enable the commissioners TO discover and cure
the weak spots in the Police Department it exists
today. Here few questions that might be asked
with profit to the department and the public the de-
partment is maintained to protect
Why II that Virgins who born and raised
here, who had awless record and who known
to many members OF the police force. permitted to
establish his residence within two squares of the po-
lice headquarters and to freely al streets
by night and by day, without being disguised in any
why was 1t tat uniformed policemen, instead of
men dressed IN plain clothes sent repeatedly TO
the house at Fourth and shpley streets TO make in
oury lbout Virgins when II was suspected that the
escaped man-killer rooming there?
Why was Il that n plain clothes not kept
constantly IN the to watch the coming aud gong
OF the lodger and investigation should disclose
that he was Wic-ins to seize him when he off his
guard?
why II that Miss Healing the young in
the hoEse, directed to inform only certain police
IN event of the return Of the suspected lodger7
Why it Chief OF Police Black kept in ignor-
OF the discovery OF the suitcase containing the
wigs and false moustacheg
Why was It there such long delay in police
tion b tween the time Miss Healing to Police
Headquarters and lodged the information that the
pect was IN his room and the advent Of Patrolman
Davidson at Fourth and shipley streets?
nv IL hat that Ant ,ft ~
impending action by the police teephoned TO
Chief Of Police Black. who says he had left dehnte
instructions that he be kept informed Immediately Of
any new Developments in the case?
Why IL there seemed to be disposition in GER
tain quarters to keep him in ignorance OF what was
abov, to be done?
Why was IL that Patroman Davidson 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 opeu-
ed the door in response Miss Heangs summons?
Why was It that Patroman Davidson falling in that
and also in the realization that had control of the
only exit from the Virgins ROOM left that door and ran
out in the street thus leaving the way clear for Wig
gins by way the rear of the house. had he
been disposed to do so?
Why was It that demand was made upon Virgins
to surrender further than the assertion OF Patroman
Davidson that, Virgins slammed the door in his
face he said open that door, YOU
-, I'll blow your head on?"
Why Il tha. the other policemen when they ar
rived failed to hold any parley with Virgins and also
failed to realize that they had him. like a rat IN A
trap, with the police guarding the only exit from the
room except the two front windows plunge from
either of which would meant sheer fall of four
stories consequent death or disabling injury to the
trapped bandit?
Why WIS II the police after they had received heavy
renforcemens, failed to shove open the door Of Wig
gins room which was held only by small wooden
button and washstand, and by concerted rush.
uHr1~-
Why it they did not sit tight outside awaiting the
rrival OF other and bolder men?
Why was it that. If such policy Of assault were
leemed unwise policy of starvation and the use OF
Ferpowering fumes was not resorted tor
Why was II deemed necessary with a man honeiess-
trapped and without vestise OF food for the police
shoot up house in an EFFORT to riddle him with
ullets and shot, TO terrorze its honest inmates and
he surrounding neighborhood and 10 alarm and
shock city by such unnecessary bonbardnent as
was reHorted TO against young criminal Who 10 all
intents and purposes already was captured in that
be was so placed that he no earthly opportunity
or escape?
Why was II that 1t was not until after the Battle OF
5axters Corner in full swing and had been heard
by policeman out at Sixth and Broome streets who
aroused Chief Black that the operator in Police Head
quarters called the chief and informed him the fsht
with Wiggins In progress?
= Those only few Of the pertinent questions that
might be asked by the Police Commissioners Beyond
all that they should ascertain what bearing hunger
for the reward for Virgins had on the situation
As We view it. however. the fundamental questions