Arizona republican., 1916-03-25
NO CAUSE FOR ANY
 ALARM SAYS MAYOR
But for Peace of the Public Mind Police Should Be
 Prepared

In order that any feeling of unrest that might exist among the citizens of Phoenix as to the ''unprepared- ness' of the city administration in general and the police department in particular with relation to the Mex ican situation,' Mayor George U. Young brought the members of the city commission, the city manager and the chief of police together on Thursday afternoon for quiet con- ference. He told them of the var ious reports that had come to him i of the dangers besetting Phoenix at the hands of the Mexican population.
 And I don't believe word of these reports said the mayor. "The Mexican population of Phoenix com i pines some of our most law abiding citizens, men and women who would deplore any act that would bring odium to their good name or injury to this city or it's citizens. It might be possible for a few discontents to come to Phoenix from other towns or from Mexico itself and commit deeds of lawlessness but that is hardly probable. We have nothing of that sort to fear from the Spanish speaking people of this city.
 There are, however, many citizens who have become alarmed because of
 border conditions and who without
 cause, immediately class all Spanish
 speaking people with the type that
 is responsible for the bandit outrages
 in Mexico and along the border. Un-
 less we, the city government, take
 such steps as will indicate that we
 are prepared for any eventuality, we
 will be charged with being derelict
 in our duty 1 am not suggesting any
 steps looking to arming a body o
 citizens or preparing to arm, then
 because of any thought of mine tha1 reason for such action exists but il order that there may be absolute peace of mind among all our citizens ! including our Mexican citizens, I vii say that it might be well for u.
 to arrange to have ready an adequat, supply of arms and ammunition t, , be placed at the disposal of the chic of police for use if an emergenc, ! should arise"
 With the presentation of the situ
 ation, there ensued lengthy discus l sion all the members of the commis
 sion, as well as the manager and DO I lice chief agreeing with the mayo Q that there seemed little cause fo
 alarm. However, authorization wa f given the manager, in the event h l believed it necessary, to purchase no to exceed three hundred rifles and
 sufficient supply of ammunition f v be turned over to the chief of polio
 for distribution to such citizens a
 might volunteer and be acceptabl
 for local guard duty Up to las o evening no move had been made t . purchase these rifles. although Mana o ger Craig and Chief Brisbois an Q nounced that they knew where enoug ', guns could be secured for any emer 7 gency that might arise.
 ., Chief Brisbois said last evenin ', that he had caused careful nvesti d gation to be made of numerous re
 ports that Mexicans were plannin
 trouble here and that in every in
 stance he had found them absolutel , without foundation. He expressed hi . confidence in the Spanish speakin II people of Phoenix, but willing to talk
 such steps as would insure agains = trouble, improbable as such troubl
 might be.
 a Manager Craig stated last evenin o that unless conditions became wors
 than they now appear to be, ther will be little need for the purchase ?. guns and ammunition.