Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-01

More than 1000 policemen who purcha sed
homes in respectable sections of the city
during the Blankenburg administration
were aroused today by reports that the
decree has gone forth that they must
move back with their families to the old
home locations and resume their former
political servitude to ward bosses.
Notice has been served on many police
men by ward and division leaders that
the ''policemen's utopia" is at an end,
that they must hurry back to the old
wards ans again brace their shoulders
against the wheel OF the Organization.
The order Is backed by a subtle threat
to the effect that policemen who fail to
comply are likely to lose their jobs.
THE FATE OF CAMERON.
In the resignation OF Robert D. Cam
eron. captain of detectives, the police
men see Endorsement of the "back-to-the-
ward" movement from high organiza-
tion officials. Captain Cameron formerly
lived in the ward of Dave Lane Repub-
llcan Organization leader Some time ago,
when Captain Cameron moved out OF the
ward without Lanes permission, the lat
ter made the threat that he would "get
the head of the captain of detectives.
When George d. Porter took the oath
OF office as Director of Public Safety,
he delivered to the members of his entire
department message from Mayor
Blankenburg to the effect that they could
HFe III any SeCllOn OF the city tneN Qe-
sired. He added that they could move
at any time without asking the permIs-
siol of their division leaders or anybody
else
The message was received with joy by |
hundreds of policemen who had been |
afraid to move their families from sum
sections for fear of winning the dis |
pleasure of ward bosses. For years, |
many of these policemen had been forced |
IN |
dren in unsavory surroundings in the |
Tenderloin, or the semi-Tenderloin Their |
little ones grew up amid scenes which |
could not fail to effect unfavorably their
impressionable minds. Almost daily the
children came in contact with thieves,
piclspockets, dope fends, disqrderly
women and other habitues of the Tender
loin.
The wives of the policemen were
troubled by the sordIdness of their sur
roundlngs. and they hailed the edict of
Mayor Blankenburg with greater delight
even than their husbands. In the order
they glimpsed better and more whole
some home life.
When division leaders learned that there
was likely to be a wholesale exodus of
policemen from slum wards, they were
1llad with alarm. They told the police
men, that the reform wave would be OF
short, duration. They made the sinister
threat lnat Wnen tne organization came
back into power 1t would know how to
deal with coppers who moved out from
under the yoke of political servitude
But 1t was n case of serving either their |
political friends or considering the well
fare of their families. and tine ma iority
Of the policemen chose the latter course
and moved.
The domestic lives OF the policemen was
20 per cent. happier after they had
moved from the neighborhoods of gloom, I
crime and despair Their wives came In /
contact with respectable women, and
heir children associated With children of
better morals,
No longer were tine policemen Obliged {
to respond TO the beck and call of some
eheep. sordid ward heeler or political
boss. They were not called upon to serve i
as stool pigeons and henchmen for organ {
lzation officials. The removal took them d
from the disagreeabe entanglements of S
eheapy petty politics. Their sole duty /
vas to honestly serve the public by Civ /
Ing faithful service as policemen. I
Many Of the policemen moved into the /
outskirts Of the city and purchased lit a
lie homes--homes where they have been @
abe 70 ihaintain smal gardens and keep I
,hiekens A good many of the "coppers'
ave their homes paid for and others ?
fave the mortgages nearly paid Off.