Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-01
SE RETURNf
CDPSWHo.QUI
signcd Only to Be Free
4 30 Aid Ware at Election,
81 Ii Is Contended
NO ACTION BY DIRECTOR

Strong opposition developed in GER
tain quarters today to the reappointment
ttt the force OF several policemen who
r<tssNed a few' days befare the recent
primary election All are said to be Ware
I supporters.
Persons opposing their reinstatement
charge that the men resigned, on as
surahces from their ward leaders that
they would be reappointed after the
election. to, enable them to participate
4 zctiveiy in the primary and evade Mayor
Smiths positive injunction against
police participation in politics.
z Actings superintendent Mills had
Warned members of the force that poll
ticAl activity on their part would result
I IN their immediate dismissal
Director Wilson. asked this afternoon
what attitude he would take in the light
0ff evidence tending to show what
pf9mpted the resignation of the former
policemen. was s'ron-committal
4 If"1 have nothing to do with these men
while they are"off the force he said
Can 10 Nothing. says Director
NJ It was pointed out to the Director
that " hee should hold to this attitude
int reappotnting the men. precedent
w0Olde bee established under which the
entire force could resign the day before
an election. leaving the city without
pfo<eetfon. and participate actively in
politics with reasonable assurance
that they could return to their police
Guties after the election had taken place.
''Oh, you presume too much was the
/. Directors comment There's nothing I
fSc6n do about it,
In reply to a direct question as to
whether he would reinstate the patrol
men In question, the Director said
II will take the proper action at the
proper time"
Director Wilson reiterated his denial
that there has been friction between
himself and Assistant superintendent
Mills over the transfer of police lieu
tenants.
There is absolutely no truth in this
he said. THE transfers were made by
Captain Mills after conference with
me and with my approval. Originally
Mills had one idea of placing these
|lieutenants, which I approved. Subse-
quently. - made another suggestion.
Awhisntr<aso approved.
wilson Denies Frictien
ssfhefe lis no conflict between Mills
n myself. nor can there be- All orders
n by him are first taken up with
Ind receive my approval before he
|ee them out ="
the transfer of lieutenants, Captain
y assigned Lieutenant Joseph Van
II to the Fifty-fifth and Pine streets
sion, to succeed Lieutenant John B.
biting. who was dismissed for failure
rsuppf pfessSgambling in the district. This
4Aasai1pto be in direct contravention Of
Sos previous order of Director Wilson,
4Which the vacancy was to be occupied
~ Lieutenant William Jeffries, of the
FIFTEENTH and Locust streets station
sI4ieutenant Harry Benner. it is said.
Was to have been transferred from the
\ Teentieth and Fitzwater streets station
10 Fifteenth and Locust streets. to take
the place OF Lieutenant Jeffries. In
ekeat1, Captain Mills ordered Lieuten-
aSf Jeffries to remain at the Fifteenth
anU L0cust streets station, and as
slnned Lieutenant Benner to the
twentieth and Berks streets station.
10 succeed Lieutenant Van Horn