Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-09
Robinson Quits Post
in Bureau of Police
Continued from Page One

be met fpom the city treasury and at
the close of the war Robinson can
return to the department and COM
plete his twenty years of service,
which he must do in order 20 be
eligible for a pension.
Shortly after noon today he said
farewell to his friends in City Hall
and announced that he was glad 20
have an opportunity to re enter the
Government service.
Robinson has two years to serve
before he can file a claim for a pen
sion. He has been a member of the
Police Bureau for eighteen years and
rose from sub-patrolman to head of
the bureau. His career during the
Smith administration has been a
stormy one, and for several months he
has been merely a figurehead, having
been superseded in authority by Cap
tain Mills.
Forced Out by L. $.
His retirement as the actual head Of
the police bureau was due to the in
fluence of Federal officials, who de-
manded a change because of vice con-
ditions. Lieutenant Colonel Charles b.
Hatch. who jammed down the lid on
vice here, was largely responsible Tor
Robinson's retirement.
This occurred April 10, when Colonel
Hatch, a marine corps officer assigned
here by Secretary Daniels. demanded
that the ctys police department be di-
rected by somebody other than
'puppet"
Colonel Hatch asserted that vice con-
dhions in the city were of such n char
acter that change was imperative.
Defended BY Mayor
Although Mayor Smith defended Rob-
inson, he accepted the advice Of Colonel
Hatch.
Captain Mills succeeded Robinson
as the head of the bureau. but did
not succeed to Robinsons title. The
latter took long vacation" and when
| he returned was put in charge of all
/ matters pertaining to traffic. school OF
| instruction, fire marshals Office van sta
bles, payrolls, parades uniforms and
| training.
Captain Mills despite the protests OF
Robinson continued to direct the police
! bureau.
Storm Center of Bureau
Since then Robinson has been the
storm center of the Police Bureau. Many
times the story that he would resigr
has been circulated but just as otter
did Robinson make vigorous denial His
position paid a salary of $4,000, and
with only two years more to serve tc
| become eligible for a pension, Robinson
would not consider resigning.
His retention as superintendent, de
spite the fact that he was not in actua
command Of the force. did not help tC
build up a morale in the bureau and
as could have been expected. retarded
the development of the force into tha
type OF an organization that Captain
| Mills wished to develop.
| Political police, or those who OWED
their positions to gang politics" stood
by Robinson. The attitude of Mills ant
Colonel Hatch, who demanded real po
lice efficiency. was so new to the polit
ical police that they resented it. The.
insisted that the storm clouds woul'
pass over and that Robinson would b
reinstated.
Their contention received considerabl
support from Mayor Smith, who fron
the first defended Aobinson. Il
the latter part of April and during May
t when Robinson was away on vacation
Mayor Smith, asked IL he would Gus
Robinson, branded the reports that h
would as absurd and baseless."
Notwithstanding the support of Mayo
Smith and Director of Public Safet
Wilson, Robinson never resumed cor
troll of the bureau. Whether an al
s rangement has been perfected betwee
i himself and Mayor Smith which wi
permit him to re-enter the departmeI
e at the close of the war and serve an az
ditonal two years in order to make hi
eligible for pension could not
e learned today. That such a plan hi
been affected Is not at all unlikely, oy
q ing to the deep friendship betwet
" them.
Today II was pointed out that Robi
q sons case is no different from that
patrolmen who have entered the arm
e or navy. In their cases provision WI
s. made TO reinstate them at the close
II the war. Briefly, these men are st
retained as members of the departme
but listed as absent on extend
= leave"
: Robinson served as a subpatrolman (
- several years and in 1908 became dri
!, master for the bureau. His elevation
superintendent of the bureau came 70
years later. He was a member OF I
National Guard for many years
: was elected major in the old Third Rel
o rtent in 1911. He resigned from I
guard in 1911. He is a prominent Mase