New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-05
Notify Mayor Smith They
Will Either walk Out"
or Resign
Vote Is Being Taken
Force May Turn In Clubs in
Body Unless Demands
Are Met
Especial Correspondence

PHILADELPHIA. Dec. Eight hun
dred policemen, representative of the
membership Of the Patrolmen's Benev-
client Protective Association, at an all
day protest meeting to-day in Grand
Fraternity Hall. voted solidiy 'resigna-
ton as body" unless Mayor Smith
and the Councils take immediate action
on this organizations demands to elm
mate politics from the administrative
affairs OF the Department of Public
Safety.
The delegates also unanimously
adopted plans for a great police dem
onstration. This will include march
upon city Hall and the Councilman
chamber at the next meeting OF thaI
body. q,
Spurred on by earnest speeches Of
their leaders and finally by the an
nouncemcnt that Director Wilson OF
the Department Of Public Safety nad
dismissed from the department harry
r. Johns president OF the association
the delegates uttered defiance TO the
Mayor and his cabinet IN the present
situation. To man they declared
their willingness TO resign from the
department rather than endure turther
abuse at the hands OF every petty
politician and ward leader In the city
Full action on the propc sal OF the
majority Of the police 20 walk out
or TO strike" was laid over for spe-
cial meeting 70 be held Thursday night
At this session, leaders OF the associs-
ton said, there may be an immediate
cessation OF the greater portion OF po-
lice work in Philadelphia. The men
already promised better paying POSI-
tions in nearby shipyards and munition
factories, said they would turn II
their badges and clubs within three,
quarters of an hour after general
vote was recorded.
Men Are Felt Out
More than $500 return post cards
were addressed this evening to every
member Of the city's Police Department
On these the men were asked TO. state
how they would stand in the event OF
.hc threatened walkout or strike. a.
The same time they are requested 70
attend a meeting open 10 all members
who arc prepared to register their Vot'
on the subject. To emphasize the
seriousness of the situation, delegates
from each of the foTty-one police DIS
trjcts announced the polls taken il
their station houses represented tota
Of two-thirds of the men in uniform
who are in favor Of compelling, b!
resignation or otherwise, a reform II
the administration Of the Department
At to-day's meeting President John:
told of the charges made against him
He asserted a political leader IN the
10th Ward was the sponsor OF the ac'
cusations. and Director wilson as
missed him this morning, after NJ
learned of the proportions the Benevo
lent Protective Association mad as
sumed last month.
strike! Strike! Strike" cried the
hundreds Of delegates in the audi
forum.
Strike Sentiment Grows
How many Of you are ready T.
swear allegiance, loyalty and devotion
10 this movement" asked Hugh Creel
man. court tipstaff and repre-
sentative Of the West Philadelphia
Business Mems Association. Every mar
in the room then stood up. and ate
a moment Of silence there was deafen
ing applause. This demonstration OF
approval was repeated many times
when the speakers declared the police
were "ready to defy Mayor Smith
Assistant Director Davis or Superln
tendent Robinson TO take the butte