Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-03-20
Officers Will Get Increase in Salaries of $10, Begin
 ming April 1.
CAPT. WATTS WILL
 GET OFFICIAL VISIT
Committee of Alderman and Private Citizens Will TOhOrOughly Investi. gate Work of Volunteers of
 America in Pine Bluff.

It took the city council less than 10 minutes in executive session last night to decide to instruct the ordi- nance committee to bring in an Ordi- nance at the next meeting, increasing the salaries of all members of the police department $10 per month, be- ginning April 1.
 It took the council about an hour, to finally decide that the mayor ap- point a committee to investigate in the modus operandi of Capt. Watts proposed shelter and refuge for women and children, and to report with recommendations as to whether Capt. Watts, on behalf of himself or the Volunteers of America, shall be allowed to establish and conduct such an institution, and shall be further allowed to solicit donations of money and s..plies for the continuation of his work here.
 The police will get their increase. there having been no opposition to that movement, on the part of any member of the council. The only question was whether the raise should be of $10 or $15, and the short discussion resulted in the decision to make it $10, the ordinance committee being so instructed.
 Neighbors Make Complaint.
 Residents and property owners in West Second avenue, in the vicinity of Elm street, through complaints against the establishment of what they claim will be an institution to house delinquent girls, fallen women, orphan or neglected children and stramps and hoboes," brought the matter of the Volunteers of America and Capt. Watts to the council.
 Mayor Bloom opened the lombard ment, turning over the executive chair to Alderman Clement, taking the floor, and after explaining how he had studied and investigated, de- clared that Capt. Watts is receiving about $2,400 per year in cash, not to mention groceries and other supplies, from the people of the city, and that he should be made to give an &C., counting of the work he does, if he is to be allowed to continue this work here.
 The mayor said Capt. Watts should not be allowe dto establish or Oper- ate the proposed institution, without some supervision by local authori- ties, and that he should not be allow ed to continue his system of house to house canvassing and solicitation of cash and supplies, unless all other persons and organizations are al- lowed the same privilege.
 H I. Holderness, Rev. H. A. Stowell aAY <a HH~N Holderness said Capt Watts had agreed to move out of a building in West Second avenue, if he was reim- bursed for expenses he had under gone in moving into the structure. MT. Holderness said he was reimbursed, and moved out, but has moved into the building again. The neighbors there have objected, because such an Institution is not wanted in that vicinity.
 Care For One Child Only.
 Dr. Stowell stated that Capt. Watts } Is caring for only one child, about three years old, the child of a prosti- tute here, and that he receives pay ment of $5 per week for such care, from the mother of the child, who < &46O P1OVAOCS CuC UdUy Q CAOCAAu6.
 Later, it was stated that some If the property owners had learned on good authority that Capt. Watts was planning 10 bring the mother of this child to the house, also.
 All the speakers, and the several members of the council who discussed the matter, agreed in the statement that in their opinion it is impossible s to bring under one roof delinquent girls, fallen women, young children and tramps and hobos, without mak- ing 1t an institution very dangerous to the community.
 The discussion proceeded with force md some heat, at timess but finally Alderman Bahlau's motion was adopt s ed, that the mayor name committee of councilmen and citizens, to in. ( 4vestigate and report. The mayor
 Alderman Means and Alderman Nc. Gibbony, Rev. J. I. Norris and J. w { Crawford. On motion of Alderman x Clement, Rev. B. R. Steel was made a member of the committee.
 Mayor and Chief Disagree. s In his statement to the council Mayor Simon Bloom stated that there was disagreement between him ant Chief of Police Frank Stewart, abou 1nstructions he had given the chic 10 prevent the operation of the insti < tuition and to prevent Capt. Watt E from soliciting funds and other aid The mayor stated he had ascer tained from the city attorney that h. G n within his legal rights in givini euch orders and having them en forced, but for the first time in tn four years he has been mayor, tn, Hehief has disagreed with him abou carrying out his instructions. Tn! nayor said he wanted the council t. |uphoId him in the matter, and il @olosing, stated that if Capt. Watt &nd the Volunteers of America ar Allowed to continue at work here a BXheY have been working, he will SCI