The Detroit times., 1915-07-07

Judges Phclan and Connolly. What
j mean y that II man Is born
wharf.rat, and remains in the river
side environment, he's likely to stay
a whnrf.rat all his life, unless chance
or Almighty God throws him out OF
that environment and gives him a
better opportunity.
"Once in a while, man Is born
who Is strong enough to lift himself
out OF his environment; but usually
he Is like piece OF wood drifting
down a stream. The whirlpool may
throw him out, but II is more likely
10 euck him unde".
81 believe that the courts should
help these men who go wrong. not
through wilfulncss on their own
part. but because of the way in
which they are forced to live by
their surroundings.
1--WE seen many a man 60 away
from my court looking as II bur-
den had been lifted from his shout
ders. That. take 1t, is what the
police court is for-to help the fell
low who seems unable to help him
self
"he petty offender-and most OF
the men and women who came be-
fore me were IN that class--doesnt
do wrong because he Is inherently
wicked Men want to 5e good, and
would he good, II they had the right
opportunity.
~ believe that all the more. after
eight years in the police court-that
human nature is a fine thing. that
men are fine human beings. really
anxious to do the right thing. glad
to do II II they arc given a chance.
I've heard Judge Murphy say that
his experience in the criminal
courts gave him the same idea.
When took once. found that
the commissioner of police was op-
posed to me. believe that he used
TO hold captains meetings t. see
what could be done to make it hard.
er for me. Al any rate. I had my
troubles with TIE police department.
AT first, stood out against the
police and insisted en- following my
own course. Then began to think
that perhaps | would accomplish
moro b. ? policy OF Cancellation.
gave way a little: was more len
lent with the officers who brought
cases before me. But ! soon found
that that was mistaken policy
that they thought they were forcing
M II surrender, and could down
me.
"Ono day made up my mind
that wouldn't stand II any longer
| put my feet on the floor and |
said: This sort Of thing has got TO
stop And | went after the police
department hard from that moment"
Mr.. Jeffries smiled grimly, He
was recalling the days when Fred
w. Smith. bis Republican opponent
for associate recorder, was police
commissioner.
Then. few months later" he
continued came the Annie Smith
incident"
He did not go into the details OF
his grand jury investigation. but
continued his resume Of his strug.
gle with the police department
1T was hard shedding till Croul
took office az commissioner Under
his rule. 1t was different depart.
mcnt Mr.. Croul believed in cooper
ating with the courts. His men. act
ing under his orders. began to mani.
fest different spirit. They prepar.
cd their cases better: they dropped
their antagonism. They began to see
what I stood for. and I believe that
30 per cent Of the detective force
and others who have had business
In my court are with me today.
There Is no man in Detroit who
has greater respect for law than I
have. have been misrepresented
and misunderstood in that regard.
The silk-stockings. so-called, have
never understood my attitude. be-
lieve that the law Is the expression
Of the best thought OF the commun-
fly. and should be obeyed as such.
] don't mean that man should obey
an obnoxious lord; but I do believe
that respect for the law. and obed.
fence TO IL, is the mark OF a civilized
character.
II have never resented sharp
language addressed to me as a pri.