Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-05
POLICEMEN PROMISE
PROTECTION TO VOTERS
$3.50 Members of Association
Pledged to Do No Partisan
Work

Members OF the patrolmen's Benevolent
nnd Protective Association, numbering more
then 1900 have pledged themselves to pro-
tfct voters tomorrow in all the clty's wards
and also to suppress any of the rule by
murder tactics which characterized the
last primary election day.
The pledge was announced by Harry NJ.
plckcrson, secretary Of the association,
Following the warning issued to city Off
cials by District Attorney Rotan and bis
tplta 20 citizens to help bring TO justice
tany violators OF election laws.
Mr.. 'Dickerson promised the most hearty
tco-operation of 1850 members OF the asso-
ciation to Mr. Rotan In enforcing order
The association has a total membership Of
$500. Resolutions were passed at the last
sfnoeting of the association urging the mem
hers to do nthing but police duty on cleo
ton say under threat OF immediate dis
nnIssal from the organization.
I'VE II do nothing but police business
on electicd day" said Dickerson, speaking
for the 1880 members OF the association.
~The resolution passed by this association,
warning our superiors that we will take no
part in politics at the polls, Is backed up
absolutely by our members.
"I am glad that Districs Attorney Rotan
has made a clear statement OF the require
ments Of the law. We shall abide by that
proclamation In bringing TO justice violators
fof the law and in protecting the voters OF
this city. The police of this city who are
members OF our association are determined
that there will be a clean election ON
Tuesday"
Last Thursday night the association
passed resolutions IN which members were
warned not to do anything hut police duty
on election day. The penalty for any MEM
,ber taking active part in politics doing
anything even under orders which Is not In
accordance with his oath, will be followed
by dismissal from the association.
81 ANY member OF this association who par
ticipates' in any manner in the coming cleo
tion. except in the exercise OF his franchise
rs citizen or in the discharge of his pl lin
duty. is unworthy of being a member OF
this association and should be expelled.
= "As police officers II is our duty to render
TO each citizen. impartially and irrespective
OF factional politics. the full protection to
which the laws of this State and our oaths
of Office obligate us, irrespective of any
orders which may be given by any superior
in violation OF the law"
He said that the members or the associa-
ton have absolutely refused TO pay the
political assessments levied on them. al
Though the time for payment was extended
by the government -by-murder" agents
until list Friday night
Z Former Directors OF Public Safety Ritter |
'Drtpps and Porter united in warning the |
Fare-Smith controlled police that their vote |
viii be watched by. their bosses" but !
urged them to enforce their rights as voters |
The statement reads:
we learn from thoroughly trustworthy |
sources that the employees = the Depart |
ment Of Public Safety have been asked to !
request assistance in marking their ballots. !
The purpose of such action is to make sure |
that each empoye will vote as the political |
leader in control of the division wishes him |
to vote.
In writing this letter we are. not inter- /
ested In the nominee for whom you vote but |
we are deeply interested that every man in |
The department should thoroughly maintain
bis right of citizenship and express it in a
free ballot
we hope that you will not permit this
form of interference and official tyranny
70 be exercised upon you and that you will
vote as you choose without enforced as
distance from anybody-belng Zee citizens L
Ind exercising your legitimate rights.
we venture to address YOU. because atri
iifferent times we have been directly asso-
ciated with the department DIS directors
hereof
FRANK NJ. RITTER
ROBERT i DRIPPS
GEORGE d. PORTER"