Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-14
POLICE DOCKING
Continued from page I


| fourth offence. dismissal. Mr.. Saylol
said policemen who have splendid records
| oppose the docking system He praised
| Wilnington's Police Department ano
| asked the Board of Police Commissioners
to give the policemen "a square deal. .
| He said MANY citizens are backing the
opponents of the docking system.
| Edward NJ Davis, president of the
| Voters Non Partisan League, sad the
absence of the police commissioners was
surprising. He stated the police com
| misSioncrs are preventing the police pen
sion fund requiring thousands of dollars,
hut should the commissioners resign he
| would contribute thousands of dollars
10 the fund He SAID other steps would
bc taken to discontinue the police docking
system.
George T. Lyon, president OF City
Council, said that body syrnpathizcd with
the opponents Of the docking system, but
could not compel the Board OF Police
commissioners TO attend the meeting
Daniel J. Farrcn suggested that the
police commissioners resign.
James O'kane said the police com
mIsSioncrS are servants of the people and
should be present.
John H. McNabb said it was usual
thing for the Board of Police Com
miSSioncrs TO ignore City Council.
He further criticised the police commits
Sioncrs. saving They stand too much
aloof; they don't play with the people
They are the great, big body In tins town;
YOU cant get at them. They don't
come and ask for votes. | say il respect
fully the Judge who appoints them does
not mingle with the people. If chosen
by tho people they would act differently
They are the most exclusive body Of
office holders in the State.
John j. Timoney remarked sarcastic
ally: we are informed industrial Work
cr~ Of the World are in Philadelphia
look out they don't como 10 Wilmington!
Leonard V Cooper, vice-president OF the
Central Labor Union and financial
secretary of the Voters Non-partisan
League, criticised the police docking
system.
.lohn !. Dowell said the police COM
miSsioncrS arc no good because they won {
come and meet us.
John f. Timoney asked City Solicitor,
Bayard whether City Council had any
authority over the Board of Police Com
missioners. Mr. Bayard replied: mo,
sir The Board of Police Commissioners
asked: "Havc the police commissioners
any boSs?" MIR Bayard replied. Not
N law"
Edward NJ. Davis sId the Voters
Con Partisan League favors the Port
land. Oregon, system OF discipIining
policeman. Mr. Davis added: I've will
We've got money to do it; we wont call
on the taxpayers.
Leonard V Cooper asked City Solicitor
Bayard whether docked policemen could
recover from the CITY by means of legal
proceedings. Mr.. Bayard replied: Il
know no law fitting such action" He
said applicants for appointment to the
police force subscribe TO rules and regu-
lations. enter into contracts without
redress.
John E. McNabb predicted the Board
OF Police Commissioners would soon
petition City Council for authority to
appoint 80 additional patrotnen and
asked what explanation the police COM
missioners would make OF the present
shortage of Is men. Mr.. McNabb
said the police force is not attractive and
knowledge of the contract probably
would decrease applications for appoint
ment thereto. He contrasted hod car
rlers' wages, 60 to 20 cents per hour.
with policemen's pay, 80 cents per hour.
George J. Sauter suggested that City
Council refuse to pay the police COM
missioners' salaries.
James O'kane asked Councilman Rob
ertson whether City Council approved
the expenditure of 81 500 for a machine
gun. Mr. Robertson said the Board of
Police Commissioners purchased the ma
chime gun before the present Councilmen
were elected and added: ri would rather
face policemen with the machine gun
than policemen with rifles.
Daniel J. Farren suggested that the
police commissioners be docked s. each
for not attending the conference
John r. Tunoney disapproved, because
the "polIce commissioners might recon-
pense themselves out of the next budget "
He suggested that no provision be made for
police commissioners salaries next year
Edward NJ. Davis requested cooper
alton in preparing proper police rules
and regulations for submission TO the next
Legislature"
Councilman Robertson said City Coun-
Gil appropriated Sl67 900 for the Board
of Police Commissioners this year The
Police Commissioners decide how the
money shall be spent, and City Council
passes the bills.
John G. Saylor requested the police
and law conanbttee to make recon-
for the correction of the evils;
otherwise some citizens might ask City
Council to withhold appropriations. "
Mr.. Sayior suggested that the Council
men put themselves on record concerning
the police docking system.
Councilman Robertson said it was not
a proper time to go on record, rs City
Council was assembled in committee
Of the whole and when thus sitting did not
finally determine questions
John +. Timoney and James O'kane
insisted that the Councilmen put them
selves on record, whereupon Councilman
Robertson got angry and said: "City
Council does its duty and will not be
driven into anything Be careful, or
you will get up against the wrong bunch"
Councilman Ward said the police com
Inittee would submit report at a sub
sequent meeting
The representatives of the Voters
League and the labor unions
gave the Councilmen q rising vote of
thanks
When closing the conference President
Lyon said we are here in the inter
ests of the people and do not need any
bouquets, but we thank you for your