Evening journal., 1918-02-07
COUNCIL DISCUSSES
penal ZINC OF COPS
Will Confer With Police
Commission Over Dock.
ing of Policemen
OBJECT TO WORKING
DAYS WITHOUT PAY

Z. VI. Davis, president Of the Voters
Non-Psrtisan League, was in confer
ence with the members OF City Council
last night relative to efforts to have
other methods adopted BY the Board
Of Police Commissioners than those
now followed for Furnishing members
OF the police force who violate the
rules and regulations OF that depart
ment.
Il was stated that some OF the Coun-
cilmen had never been in sympathy
with the present methods OF the police
board insofar as they concern the IN
ing Of a policeman and then compelling
him TO work without pay the number
0f days covered by the penalty Some
Of the Councilmen have so informed
members OF the Police Commission II
deN eloped, however. that Council has
no powe rsin the matter, for Il could
not enact an ordinance which would be
valid. An act Of the Legislature would
be the only remedy.
II was the oplnlon OF some OF the
Councilmen that by setting before the
tistics and data compiled by the Voters
Non-Partisan League relative TO the
manner Of dlsciplning policemen IN
other cities, Il might be possible 10
have the Police Commissioners ADOPT
other means OF enforcing the rules OF
the police force.
II was decided 10 invite the members
OF the police Board 10 meet with Coun-
oil next Wednesday night for a confer
ence on the subject. Al the same time
It was agreed TO invite 10 this confer
ence the Voters Non-Partisan League
and the Central Labor Union.
Mr.. Davis read a number Of letters
from the heads Of police departments
in many cities telling Of the plans fol
lowed in each for enforcing discipline
in their police depai tments in each.
Mr. Davis stated that The league had
been blocked by some one In this cit.
In trying TO get this data. Councilman
Ward. chairman ot the police commit
tee. wanted to know II he said an,
member Of Council had tried 20 blocl
the league in this work, but Mr.. Davis
made Il plain that he had made nC
such assertion. He said he had STATED
that someone IN Wilmington had triee
10 block them.
Councilman Mearls thought % woult
be a good thing 10 turn over 10 th'
oollce board all the data Mr.. Davis hat
compiled. and Councilman Harrington
suggested that the police board be In
vited 10 meet with Council 10 discuss
the subject.
Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Ward had
heated verbal exchange for q brief In
terval when Mr. Ward made the charg
chat this move relative 10 the polio
was a political move. Mr.. Davis denie'
that such is the case. Mr.. Davis sai'
the league Is willing 10 leave the who'll
matter to the taxpayers Of the city. h
warned Mr Ward that II II was IN hi
head that he Ward was goins to driy
ihe Voters Non-Partisan League on
Of business, he was badly mistaken. II
told the Councilman that Ward woul'
never again return there by the vote
Of the people
Councilman Robertson poured oil 81
the troubled waters at this junctur
by stating that in the opinion Of IN
Council the trouble complained Of cout
not be remedied by ordinance. lie SAL
there would have 90 be some amicaol
agreement. lie thought all parties con
csrned or interested should b. hroueh
togetlrer and then they could try 4
rcocn a basis of settlement
Councilman Cathcsrt said II the Coun
ell favored a disconiinuance Of Oh
5resent method it would have on effec
when the question came before ia
Legislature. He said he did not favo
the present system In the police De
partment.
Councilman Mearns said the syster
ls not popular with the public OF tn
city Air Cathcart said q policema
who had been fined once told him n
one could expect man to do his dut
cheerfully when he knew he was no
going TO bo paid for H. as that was oni
human nature.
Council Atkins said he did not thin
n was right 70 flne a policeman an
shen make him work for nothing.
Councilman Kane stated that Lour
Gil has never been In sympathy vii
The methods Of punishment followe
by the police board and Council ma
30 informed the police commissioner
but Council has no power TO act IN IN
matter.