Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-09-16
OFFICIALS At
WAR; CRIME
THR|VES
Conflict Between Mayor and Bond
trustees of Jacksonville for
Control of Police Grows.

JACKSONVILLE Sept. I5.-Owing
to the continual wrangling between
Mayor Swearingen and the Board of
Bond Trustees. over the control of
the police, and the Frequent tits be-
tween the Mayor and Chief of Police
Roach, the police force has become
Gemoralized and thieves are taking
advantage Of the situation to COM
nit depradations
For some weeks past many reports
of robberies have been received at the
police station, but in almost every in
stance the thieves have escaped I'M
caught
Strong pressure is now being
brought to bear upon members of City
Council by enemies of the Mayor to
induce them to rescind ordinance l..
l04, under which the Mayor is making
his battle for the control of the police
department This would leave him
powerless.
War on Police Chief.
ell or the Board of Bond Trustees win
give ont anything for publication ad-
herents of the bond trustees declare
that Swearingen weakened himself
yesterday when he carried his war
upon Chief Of polio. Frederick c.
Roach 70 Captain Harry Hall
In his efforts to ignore Roach, who
continues at his post, despite his sus-
pension 10y the Mayor. the Mayor has
been issuing his orders to Hall. and Il
has been generally conceded that If
Hail would accept, the Mayor would
appoint him chief Han is now out of
the running as fan as Swearingen is
concerned, however, because he join
ed with Roach in declining to he die
tated TO by Swearingen. relative to the
treatment by the police officials Of
Policemen clyde Dawson and r. W.
Willis, whom Swearingen has rein
stated. This quarrel has left the
Mayor in the position where there is
no reasonable officer on the force
upon whom he can rely 20 carry ont
his orders
Hall, who is q thirty second degree
Mason and popular with all classes of
people in Jacksonville, regardless Of
political affiliations. had. until a few
days ago. managed to keep out Of any
open rupture with Mayor Swearingen,
but now. it is said. his name is writ
ten in capital letters on the Mayors
blacklist.
To Define Powers.
Persons who have no particular in
terest in the police controversy and
are Indifferent as TO whether the
Mayor or teh trustees control so long
as public safety is conserved, are de |
handing that something be done at
once to define the powers Of the
Mayor and prevent further conflicts
Of authority.
Swearingen still appears to have a
his fight. as there is a growing SEN
timent against the continuation in
power Of the board The constant
at the police station, how
ever between the chief and the Mayor |
has become wearisome and the feel
ing is general that the quarrel is in
juring the city.
In view Of the fact that the ques-
ton of authority 10 control the po-
lice force was not settled when the |
Mayor recently brought an injunc- !
ton suit in the Circuit Court TO have |
board members restrained from inter |
fering with his prerogatives, no re- |
lief is looked for from the courts until |
the Supreme Court Of Florida decides |
on the merits of SwearinEen's appeal |
from the decision Of Judge Gibbs. of |
the lower court. that he had no juris- |
diCtion in the matter.
COUNTRY CLUB FOR GAOSDEN
GAbSDEN, sept. Negotiations |
are looking to the purchase Of a large !
tract of land near Gadsden for a couu-
try club. 4 meeting of Interested par /
3 4