The Detroit times., 1915-09-17

There has been no indiscretion
by mar In the department. during
my administration that have not
dealt with" said the commissioner.
But will wash no dirty linen OF
TIE rast."
Commissioner Gillespie also de.
clared that the hints at ylose near.
ly forgotten affairs. wers unjust, on
their face.
IF a newspaper held positive eyi.
dence Of graft or crookedness by a
police Official. II should print the
facts, when II learned of them, in
stead Of holding allegations over
the heads OF the men themselves.
for use against a department head
With whom IL has a quarrel" he
added.
Another sensation" referred to in
the News, the fact that Commission
er Gillespie returned $500 to Frank
B. Hibbler. after the money had
been seized in the raid on the Hotel
Harrington. also peters out in view
Of tho statement that Commissioner
Gillespie was in New York city
wher the money was returned to
Hi5bler, by Property Clerk Charles
Shaw, on orders OF Secretary George
A. Walters.
IL previous campaign against
Gillespie. News reporter brought
up the question Of thc Hibbler mon
w.
Commissioner Gillespie. who was
in rather testy humor. Immediately
responded TO question, that he had
given the money back, and what
Of It?
"The money was returned TO Hib-
bier" said Commissioner Gillespie
Thursday, because Supt. John B.
Downey, who had the authority to
do so. made no complaint against
Hibbler, in connection with that
raid, and the law is, that when COM
plant is not made, the person from
whom the property is taken. Is en-
titled 10 return Of The property, II
he claims IT,"
Former Supt. John B. Downey
called on Commissioner Gillespie,
Thursday morning, to turn In the
badge OF superintendent
Commissioner Gillespie explained
to Downey, that the order OF demo
ton took precedence over his re-
tIremont. and Downey said that he
understood.
II the Gemotlon order had not
have been retired as superintendent,
and on half superintndent's pay. AS
II is, he will receive half pay as an
inspector, or s95 & month.
Inspector James Sprott. the big
and brawny Scotch athlete, who
once conquered John l.. Sullivan,
wheE the latter ran amuck in the
old Russell house. bar been made
headquarters inspector" to succeed
Inspector Ernst Marquardt. promot-
ed to superintend The Office of
deputy superintendent, held by Al
phonse Baker, was abolished when
| Capt Baker was retired, last Janu-
AIRY. Inspector Sprott was transfer.
rcd from the western district to po
! lice headquarters, leaving Inspector
Lombard in sole charge, temporar
lily. of the western district
A report printed In the News,
Thursday, that Lieut. Of Detectives
William Black, In command Of the
free lance" squad, has been demot-
cd. and Detective Lieut.. John Reid
placed I'm charge to supersede him,
was officially denied by Commission.
tr Gillespie.
Several days ago. Detective Reid.
a most able police officer, and an ex-
pert on vice control through years
of experience under former Capt. Al
phonse Baker, OF the central station.
was one of the Ave men added to
the free lance" squad which was
ordered augmented.
Detective Reid was placed in com
rland OF half Of the squad. and was
tive Black retains his rank in the
squad. and is in charge Of the squad,
| Thursday
That Detective Reid will probably
be promoted to the rank Of inspec-
tor, later, and given complete com.
mand OF the vice squad. Is probable
Detective Black has repeatedly ask
cd 10 BE relieved ~ the command.
Mayor Marx will stand by his
friend. Police Commissioner GILES
\ pie. He will help to counter any un
warranted attacks made on the com
missioner in the future.
The mayor indicated Thursday
morning, that his confidence in and
his friendship for Mr. Gillespie have
not been shaken by the commission
er's action In firing" Supt. Downey
although, Gillespie acted contrary tc
the wishes OF the executive office.
After brief private conference
participated in by the mayor. Com
missioner Gillespie and Secretar,
Fitzgerald. Thursday morning. the
mayor made this statement to Tn,
| Times:
I'VE have decided. now that the
change is made, to make the best o
1t; also to see that the work o
cleaning up vice in Detroit will z,
on as II ought to-
The smiling countenances of tn,
L