The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-10-06
A Week Has Passed and
There Has Been No Change
In the Gillespie Police Policy.


In the Gillespie Police Policy.
One week has passed since John Gil
Iespie stepped out Of the police commits
sionership and gave way to James Cou-
zens.
Gillespie resigned under the fire. Of
Judge Connolly, who charges that exist
ing crime conditions which render the
city unsafe and which place life and prop
arty at the mercy of criminals, from
petty thieves to gunner, are due to toll
GRAFTON of law-breaking and law-defance
while Gillespie was at the head Of the
police department.
When Gillespie resigned. Mayor Marx
promptly accepted thu resignation.
Gillespie, fast friend of Marx. said in
his letter giving up the commissioner
ship. that for him TO continue would be
embarrassing to the mayor.
Gillespie is roundly admired in politi-
cal circles on both sides of the mayoralty
issue for his gameness, and for his loyal
ty to friend, which admiration means
that his resignation is looked upon as a
personal sacrifice to do the mayor good
political turn-in short, that he did not
care to stand in the way Of the mayors
reelection.
One week has passed since Gillespie ad
mitted the charges of Judge Connolly by
resigning, and since Mayor Marx acted
upon the admission of his appointee and
put another man in his place.
One week has passed since James Cou
zens took office with the promise implied
by the mayor in making the Couzens ap-
pointment, that new order of things
would follow.
One week has passed ann Couzens has
not made up his mind as to what policy
he will pursue as police commissioner.
Couzens has not made UP his mind
whether he will enforce the closing of the
Sunday saloon.
His first statement to the public was
that this is a "debatable" matter
It is still a "debatable" matter
1t is going to take some time yet for
Commissioner Couzens to reach a con-
clusion.
He tells US that it may take him weeks
--untillong after election.
The Times wants to suggest to the
commissioner that there are thousands
upon thousands of voters in town who
will have to know, BEFORE election,
what he intends to do-whether he in
tends to enforce the law or whether ne
intends to go on as Gillespie did, taking
up the Gillespie policies where Gillespie
left off.
There are among these thousands Of
voters very many, indeed, who were vel
satisfied with Mayor Marks appoint
ment of a new commissioner.
They have great faith that whatever
polidy Couzens decides upon, that policy
will be enforced.
But they want to know WHAT THAT
POLICY Is GOING TO BE.
They want to know whether Couzen'
is going to call in his lieutenants and say
"You gentlemen know what the law is
enforce it." or whether he is going C
call in his lieutenants and say "Some Of
the law will be enforced and some Of il
will not be enforced, as | shall happen tC
decide"
Is Couzens going to enforce the law
passed by the people in Lansing or just
a little of il here and there, as it appeals
10 him, personally?
Does Couzens think Gillespie policies
were right or wrong?
Does Couzens think Judge Connolly, in
his criticism Of the way Gillespie ran the
police department, was right or wrong?
Will CouEens take the police depart
ment out Of politics or will he continue