The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-05
POLICE OF PHILA.
VOTE T0QUIYI IF
DEMANDS FAIL
Movement Against POliti-
cal Intimidation Assumes
Serious Aspect.
MASS MEETING rs HELD
Appeal to Mayor to Correct
Evils-TwO-thirds of
Force in Move.
MASS MEETING rs HELD
sp,cioI DespoteA TO THs suS.


policemen, representative Of the men,
bership Of. the Patrolmen's Benevolent
Protective Association In every police
station in this city. at an all day pro-
test meeting in Grand Fraternity Hall
to-day, solidly voted resignation as
body" unless Mayor Smith and Councils
take Immediate action on this organlsa-
ton's demands to eliminate politics from
the administrative affairs Of tho Depart
ment Of Public Safety.
The delegates also unanimously adopted
plans for u great police demonstration.
This will include march upon City
Hall and the councilmanic chamber ae
the next meeting Of that body.
Spurred on by earnest speeches OF
their leaders and finally by the an
nouncement that Director Wilson Of the
Department of Public Safety had dis
missed 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 q ,man they declared their willing
ness 10 resign from tho department
rather than endure further "abuse at
the hands Of every petty politician and
ward leader in the CITY,"
To Me4o Thursday Might.
Final action on the proposal OF the
majority OF the police to walk out" or
strike" was laid over for a special
meeting to be held Thursday night. At
this session leaders Of the association
said there may be an immediate cessa-
tion OF the greater portion Of police work
In Philadelphia. The men. already
nearby shipyards and munition fac
tories, said they would turn in their
badges and clubs within three-Quarters
Of an hour after q general vote was
recorded"
More than $500 return post cards
were addressed last evening to every
member Of the city's Police Department,
On these the men were asked to state
how they would stand IN ths svsnt o.
time they arc requested to attend .
meeting open to all members who arc
prepared to register their vote On tho
subject. >
To emphasize the seHousness Of the
situation, delegates from each Of the
forty-one police districts announced tho
polls taken in their station houses repre-
sented a total of two-thlrds Of tho men
h uniform who are in favor Of compel
form in the administration Of the de-
partment. Tomorrow the men. In
structed by Hheir leaders. will make
their first open drive in the police sta
t!ons for the dismissal Of Director Wl-
son. Assistant Director Davis and James
Calhoun from the Police Pension Fund.
Would Reorganize Pension .Fund.
In this Move delegates Of the Benevo-
lent Protective Association were urged
10 oppose at every station house the PEN
sion fund delegate nominees approved
by the police administration. They were
assured the defeats Of the sergeants and
lieutenants. who have heretofore held
followed by a complete reorganization
OF the pension system. and the name of
either former Mayor Blankenburg. T.. T.
Stotesbury. Charles S. Calweil or Charles
F.. Biddle would be substituted In place
Of that OF the Director of Public Safety.
1rnploring the men to place one of these
four representative citizens, at the head
OF the pension fund. Johns, the president
said: "Wc must havo q man who Is NOT
controlled by politicians. Our first duty
Ia to the citizens of Philadelphia. and
they will stand behind this hght for our
rights when they know exactly what IL
being done to keep ward leaders and dis.
trict captains in control OF the police
We have affidavits to show the men al
the top dealt with us through trickery
and in my own case / was framed Ut
because / refused to quit the organiza.
ton"
Johns then told Of the charges made
against him. He asserted a politica
leader In the Forty-sixth ward was the
HnODsOr n
Wilson dismissed him yesterday morning
after he learned OF the proportions thai
the Benevolent Protective Association
had assumed last month.
Delegates Demand "Strike."
Strike! Strike! Striker cried th'
hundreds OF delegates In the auditorium
How many Of you are ready to sWeal
allegiance. loyalty and devotion to thiI
moyement"' asked Hugh Creelman. {
court tipstaf and a representative Of tn,
west Philadelphia Business Mems As
ISOLATION
Every man in the room then stood up
and after moment OF silence there wal
deafening applause. This demonstration
OF approval was repeated many time
when the speakers declared the polio
were ready to defy Mayor Smith, As
estant Director Davis or Superintendent
Robinson to take the butter and brea,
out OF the mouths Of the men,"
"InfOrmers" Are Elected.
During the meeting. which was ar
ranged In a series OF sessions, two me
were recognized as "informers' detaile
70 report the proceedings for tho ad
ministration. They were promptl
seized by several delegates and ejecte
from the hall.
From the ranks OF the men on patrt
duty the strike" sentiment for q recol
milton OF the associations demand
spread to the City Hall guards. tn
farmount Park guards and those q
the House OF Correction. Delegate
from these bodies conferred with the Of
Ranization committees on plans to b
admitted into their councils
Should the resignation in q body
plan be adopted these members of III
city force win be included In the NOV,
nfent They aiso approved plans Il
mass meeting In the Academy I
Music TO take the public into the col
hience OF the police.
AT the Office OF Director Wilson ar
Assistant Director Davis tho clerl
acting as their spokesmen said those o
icials did not recognize any strtl
movement and that they had nothing
say for publication.