Norwich bulletin., 1917-11-17
Especial to The BulIetin.)


 New London, Nov. 16.-It is a rec- ognized rule in all games of a cer. tain class for those on the outside not to interfere, but there is game on in New London in which this rule does not seem to prevail. It is a clear case where those on the outside are trying to play the cards that are held by the real players and ignoring the rights of those who have paid the ante and are the only ones to be recognized in the show down. The court of common council has delegated all matters pertaining to the conduct of the police force to a committee of that body. Still there are a few peo- pie on the outside who pose as dicta- tors and have the assurance to at tempt to direct the work of the police committee even to the extent of tell Ing the committee how they should act when there is to be charges made against members of the police force. The custom has been when any charge is made against police officer that the matter be irlFesti gated by the po- lice committee, if in their judgment the charge warrants investigation. But here is a case in point where no charges have been made to the com mittee still insistence is made that there be a public hearing upon charges that may be presented at a public hearing. -s-
 Has it come to such a pass in New London that whenever a disgruntled citizen, or bunch of citizens, have a grievance against a policeman, that forthwith there be a public hearing, where every citizen of high and low degree can vent their spite upon th.B or that police officer or the police department as a whole2 If such were the rule, even the best organized po- lice force would be made a butt of ridicule, and discipline and enforce ment of the law -Gould never De at f1 mi wifi basis against any member Of the po- lice force properly made and present. ed to the police committee would not be denied hearing by the parties in cused- The public hearing game on such matters Is but play to the gall leries and every hit made would re- ceive the expected applause from the crack at the cop by the vulgar comed- ian of the vaudeville stage. There is a right way to consider these com plaints if they are made in good faith.
 There is group of citizens in New London, small in comparison with the whole citizenry, that are seeking to scalp the lieutenant of police after thirty-three years of service and re- tire him from service. and for the sole purpose of putting at the head of the department a man who has been fur nishing the aforesaid group with in
 
 are not of their liking, but the good traits of the officer. his bravery and his heroic deeds. are not mentioned The personnel of this group has not been made public. 1. e. not the whole bunch If this were done the fellows with the grudge could be detected It is no secret that George $. Palmer, a gentleman and conscientious. rel cal public spirited citizen, is at the head of the movement to- bounce Po- lice Lieutenant Thomas Jeffers, so as to prevent his promotion upon the re- captain of. the police department. and make the way clear for the choice of l the group of the unknown. has with him Major Hadiai A. Hull, | state attorney for New London county, and also his competent laE partner, Frank l.. McGuire United States commissioner. MT. Palmer. has l been in the rAforIn game all his life I! and in this respect is following in | the footsteps Of his honorable father, | a leading prohibitienist and one of the i most respected citizens of his time | Of course Major Hull is a.. real re- i former, too, and SO is Mir. McGuire. 1 IL appears that the latter is hurt be- cause policemen were instructed to report to their superior officers in the | department. and if the commissioner l
 
 at police headquarters. Some SUD- posed that the commissioner was sort l of an inferior court rather than a | prosecutor, and that the seeking of | police information was not in his line |
 It would be perhaps, just as effee- 1 tive, and more satisfying to the gen. 1 erai public, if the trio of gentlemen 1 ing, formulate their charges against l Lieutenant Jeffers. or any other mem I Der of the force and file same in the 1 regular way with the. police commit 1 tee. and cut the comedy and the play to nigger heaven. These men are fsst | ard honorable and are not even sus- l pected of wrong, and no one believes | .hey would do intentional wrong. 1 charges that could not be substanti- l ated, even after a public hearing. when | even men that had been arrested | would be given opportunity to vent l their aUleef1 Caoa ir1rt ff,ursx,oIf<4e ,<gS~--