Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-29

followed development with startling
swiftness in the Lewiston police sit
uation Tuesday.
Police Force Named
Monday night the Republican men,
bcrs of the board of aldermen, con-
shutting a majority, passed an or
der naming a police force to supersede
the temporary one appointed by May
or Lemaire when the police commits
sion went out OF power. This order
provided also, that Deputy Picard
should be chief. This was passed de-
spite the emphatic protest of the may
or who declared that he would rec
ognzie no chief but Benjamin Keegan
former captain Of night police, and
no appointments but his own. He
ended by instructing Mr.. Keegan not
to receive the appointments Of the aid
ermen. and. if they made trouble. to
put them behind the bars"
At the close Of the meeting the Re-
publican aldermen stated that. should
Mr.. Keegan insist upon remaining in
control Of the department. he would
he restrained by court injunction
1t does not appear that the Repuhli-
can aldermen, as a body. had agreed
upon injunction proceedings: but this
was the view expressed by one of
them.
Mayor Head Of Police
Then came Tuesday morning, and
with it swift developments. Mavor
Lemairc by virtue of his Office. is al
so head of the police. An injunction
could have been asked. and would
very possibly have been granted
against Mr.. Keegan, had ne attempt
ed to remain as chief: hut none. in
the opinion of legal. authorities coulG
be issued against tho mayor There
fore. bright and early Tuesday morn
ing Mr.. Len1aire assumed the badge
d. SIX End office of the chief. announc-
ing that he was in personal control
of the force and that all members
should take their instructions from
him. He then appointed Mr.. keegan
as his deputy.
The climax was reached at II. when
the day squad assembled in the guard
room for duty. So far as this day
squad was concerned, the appointees
of the mayor and the appointees of
the aldermen were the same with
three exceptions. Two Of these eX-
ceptions-Edward P. Davis and John
S. Haggerty-were present; the third,
George Lewis, did not arrive until
afterward.
Mayor Lemaire surveyed the blue
coated line for tense moment. Then:
Mr. Haggerty," he questioned, will
you take Your orders from me or from
the chief" Indicating Picard.
Il take my orders from the chief"
was the response.
street, and he tells you to go. will
you obey me or will you obey him."
Il will obey him"
Patrolman Davis was then asked the
same questions; he returned the same
answers.
Very WELL" said the mayor, Il sus-
pend you both for characterization"
Then. turning to Mr.. Picard, he ex-
claimed:
Il forbid you to send out these men.
IF YOU do so You do 1t at your peril
for you will be suspended. too
About face" was Mr. Picard's
answer. The entire squad marched
from the guard room.
Three Are Suspended
Mr.. Pidard's own suspension imme-
d!ately followed.
Mr.. Pirard STAYED in his Office the
remainder of the morning, Mayor Lee
marie occupying the Office OF the chief.
At noon he suspended two others
William G. Murray and John Breen--
for the same cause.
The mayor won't get his salary
next month when he calls for it," said
Alderman Joyce Tuesday morning He
also stated that the salary OF the
mayors secretary might be taken
away.
The Republicans will hold the mayor
to the salary limit Of $500 a year. ac-
cording to a statement made by AL
derman Joyce.