Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-03
GRAND JURY OBTAINS
/ EXTENSION OF TIME
FOR VICE INQUIRY
Judge Rogers Grants Request for
One Weeks Continuance and
Commends Body for
It's Spirit
NEW FOREMAN APPOINTED


attended existence OF the Grand Jury in
cestigatng vice conditions one week when
the Jury asked for the extension this MORN
ing ,
George Chandler Public School, graduate of
Haverford College, and lecturer and
traveller, was named foreman of the jury by
Judge Rogers to take the place of Charles
q Mershon, who was taken sick with heart
trouble few days ago Mr. Mershon is
in the care of two physicians who told
Judge Rogers that their patient was unable
20 continue his duties as foreman.
Acting foreman Manning was at the head
Of the jury this morning and appeared be-
fore Judge ROBBERS to ask for the contin-
nance of the jury. He told Judge Rogers
that continuance was imperative II the
investigation planned by the jury Is to be
carried to the last niche of vice to be
unveiled.
"our investigation" he said, Interests
all Philadelphia. It Is our sincere desire
10 go through with 1t as carefully as pos
slble. There are many members of this
fury engaged in different lines of business,
and all are willing to sacrifice their time
in order to assist the municipality. Should
our investigation end today, It would not
be complete"
JUDGE CoNIENDs JURY.
'It Is very commendable on your part"
said the Judge, ITO be illlng to sacrifice
your business interests and continue with
this investigation and 1 really feel proud
OF you.
II have looked UP the law and am assured
by an act OF the Assembly in 1876 1 have
power to grant an extension. The law
states that Judge shall extend the ex-
istence of Grand Jury If he thinks 1t
necessary"
District Attorney Samuel Rotan supple.
mented the request of the jury. He COM
mended the Grand Jury for asking the ex-
n,,1 ini,, i,, tt-
POLITICS AND THE POLICE
One phase of the investigation which is
giving the jurymen much thought is the
combination of police and politics in the
Sixth Ward. 1t was learned this after
noon that several policemen summoned
from the Fourth and Race streets station
that politics was the big factor in the
affairs of the district. Sergeant Clay, of
this district, said he believed he was
moved because of his activity against a
speakeasy.
Other witnesses, 1t is said. testified that
side lines of the policeman greatly inter-
fered with their duties. In this connection
the name of Special Policeman Charles
oDrain was included 1t is said. 1t was
brought out that O'Drain, in addition to
being a policeman, devoted much of his time
TO an undertaking business which he
formerly conducted at 1872 Cherry street.
ODrain said he was not in the undertaking
business now, had turned over both that
and the embalming business to his brother.
ODrain was dismissed from the service
during the Bankenburg administration as
a result of charges made against him Mt
that time. He was reinstated on the outset
of the present administration.
Indications that the Grand Jury's vice
investigation will include the entire city
were forthcoming today. when 1t was learn
ed that among those who have been sub
poenaed to appear this afternoon are City
~ IL. IAa 49,.
of the Thirtieth Ward, and Common Coun-
Gilman John Costello of the Firty-first
Ward two widely separated districts,
where 1t Is generally believed vice or gam
bling had no part.
These witnesses 1t is said. will be ques-
toned concerning rumors Of gambling in
their especial bailiwicks and II is understood
that the jury has some very specific ques-
tions to ask on the subject. John Wright,
an undertaken of Frankford, and Lieutenant
jolly, OF Tacony, have also been subpoenaed.
The action Of the jury has caused a
temporary wave of reform in many of the
political clubs, where the rattle of dice and
the swish of cards were two of the inside
sports. In some of the clubs now it is
said the members are actually playing
checkers and dominoes.
The constant injection of D. Clarence
Gibboney into the proceedings has been the
cause of much comment Ever since Mayor
Smith announced that he conferred with
the Law and Order president before the
raid. Gbboney has been conspicuous
figure at City Hall. If he is not in the
corridors he is in the Mayors reception
room.
MAYOR ELUDING GIBBONEY.
Politicians around there have noticed in
cldentally, that Gibboney spends more time
in the reception room than he does in the
Mayors office. There has also been COM
ment about the Mayors action toward his
former collaboration in the raid In fact,
even while Mr.. Gibboney has been waiting
the Mayor, evidently forgetful of his
presence, has been seen to leave his office
by way of the door which leads directly to
the hall, therefore making 1t unnecessary to
pass the Law and order man as he exits.
This has happened several times. but
Mr. Gibboney, it has been noticed, seems
to have considerable patience.
The fact that Gibboney has visited Sem
ator McNichol at Atlantic City on Monday
night, according to a repoHt, has also caused
much guessing in political circles as to
whom the Law and Order president is in
sympathy with. Mr.. Gibboney declined TO
comment on his rumored visit to the Sem
ator
Owners of disorderly houses. a list OF
whose names has been furnished the jury
by the police. will be brought in today for
examination. Additional names of property
owners are being obtained and added TO the
list. They will be called by the Grand Jury
II enough time Is allowed Dy Judge hogeis
Alleged police graft and gambling will
require several more days OF the jury's in
vestigatlons. So far II Is said, the surface
OF graft and gambling conditions in Phila-
delphia has barely been scratched and the
1urymen are anxious to get into the depths
and make some exposures
Glbboney's possible connection with the
Penross- -AIcNichOl leadership, which has
been going the rounds since the vice investi-
cation began, has angered Gibboney. He
has denied the story that he went to Atlantic
City Monday and conferred with Senator
McNichol.
Information has been given TO the grand
Jurors that many uniformed policemen and
special officers were engaged in outside
business propositions. Testimony was in
troduced yesterday showing that Special
Othcer O'Drain, attached to the Fourth and
Race streets station was conducting an
undertaking establishment. ODrain issued
a statement today denying that he was in
the undertaking business. He said he was
an undertaken before going on the police
force.