The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-06-29
DR.. MATTHEWS
WILL BACK UP
SERCT. PUTNAM


nam with his walking papers fell
tu Capt. Charles Sullivan. recrs-
tary OF police. and Capt. u. +. VIII
lard.
The officers met Putnam at 8 90
p. IN. IA he entered his office on
his return from superior court.
where no testified In n liquor case.
"A warrant" no asked with n
smile.
lie was smiling when he finish
ed reading the order.
II guess you'li want the papers. /"
ho said.
pIspute Over Notebooks
with the two officers. he was
busy until s p. m. sorting over his
records. A number Of notebooks
were claimed by Putnam ms per.
tonal property. while Capt Sulli.
van beloved they were depart.
II. entail. Finally II was agreed that
some OF them would be held until
Sergt Putnam can convince the
chief that they are his.
The office was locked Mt s y. m.
Sergt. Comstock arrived shortly
after.
Putnam says he wishes his sue
cessor every success
The dcponed liquor Hlcuth had
been on the Seattle police force 10
years. coming here from California
In 1889. lie was sergeant seven
years. receiving promotion 10 the
head OF the special detail year
end half ago.
The Mayors Letter
Comstock Joined tho force in
1909 and was made a sergeant in
1914.
The mayors reasons for dis.
charging Putnam were given In de.
tail In tho following letter:
MIR. Charles l.. Rockingham. chief
OF police. Seattle. Washington.
Dear Str: Owing 90 tho course
OF conduct OF Sergeant v. r. Put
nam. as revealed TO mo by tran
script Of HIS testimony given upon
the trial OF Inspector Powers. YOU
will at once dismiss him from his
position In the police department.
for tho following reasons:
Orders 70 Smash Booze
Upon my taking this office. fol
lowing the going into effect OF the
dry Law. requested tho creation
of n practically independent organ
ixation In tho police department
for the handling OF tho liquor stu.
alton. the difficulties OF which
were easily foreseen. and suggest
cd az that time that Sergeant Put.
nam be placed In charge Thereof,
This vas done and since that dat.
no has been given practically un.
limited authority. and thru the
council. at my request. every n.
nanciai and other assistance which
he could ask has been promptly ac-
corded him. lie has had absolute
control OF that branch OF the serv.
leo without Interference or orders
other than those given primarily.
which were 10 destroy tho liquor
business In every phase. and that
| /. acting under the assurance OF
tho city council. would stand be
tween him and financial loss.
Refer TO Conspiracy Csse
Some months ago. AFTER we had
shown an undeniable determine
ton to break up tho liquor traffic
and had. IN fact. practically done
80 thru the strinEency OF our or.
GERS and the authority and backing
given Putnam by ourselves and
tho city council. I. together with
yourself. was placed UNDER indie.
mcnt In the United States cout,.
for alleged conspiracy 10 break
these very laws.
Our long and tedious trial do
not care to advert to now. but
among many painful things the one
standing out by itself was 10 find
that Sergeant Putnam had for
some months prior 10 that trial
secretly been receiving from
/ z private source considerable sums
Iof money 20 be used TO test my
GOOD faith and the loyalty OF the
police department After tho &C
Guittal. which we all received. |
Teiralned from what now believe
! I should have done a. that time:
that Ia. TO have removed Mr.. Put
nam forthwith for insubordinntion.
az least. but felt that he had
probably been misied. and I had no
desire for revenge. nor did de-
sire any unpleasant recollectlons
OF the past. Behavior such as
Sergeant Putnam admitted in that
Z t.fs -
alize q police force and render dis.
cipline a farce. and there IN now
added a revelation which makes Il,
impossible. in my opinion. to Jus
ltify me in further retaining Ser.
eeant Putnam In the service OF the
city.
Putnam instlsates Crime
Inspector Powers. an old and
trusted officer. has been put upon
| trial for alleged bribery. and upon
| that trial 1t was revealed by the
/ testimony OF Sergeant Putnam,
himself. that within the past few
months. and even while you and
we're on trial. he (putnam) was
supplying money 10 one Wardell
for purposes undeniably unlawful
| ond basely criminal in themselves.
The same money, by the way. that
Il Sergeant Putnam stated TO the
city council he had used In the en-
forcement OF the dry law at the
tine the council was furnishing
lin with all the money he request
cd. according TO his estimate made
each month. he stated. In his testi-
mony nj the Powers trial, that he
gave Wardell for the purpose OF
running gambling houses in viola.
] ton OF the law In order To temnt