Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-04-22
j. S. TAKES OVER
PH|kADA. POLICE
FOR WAR ON EVIL
Secretary Daniels Found Officials
Were Not Complying With His
Cleanup Demands.
ARMY OFFICER IN CHARGE


has kept aloof from politics, occupied
this morning the place of Police super
intendent James Robinson, who had held
over under three administrations Robin
son was told by Mayor Thomas b. Smith
he could take vacation.
Captain Mills will be known as as
sistant superintendent of police, but he
will have authority To issue orders with
out the approval of William II. Wilson,
director of Public Safety, who corresponds
to commissioner of police In New York,
or the mayor They will no longer have
absolute dictation of police policy.
The change, which means virtual as
sumption of control by the United States
government as far as policing Is concerned,
was brought about by pressure, almost
amounting to orders, brought to bear
by Lieut. Col Charles B. Hatch of the
Marine Corps on Mayor Smith Saturday.
"coMMANpEERED." SAYS MAYOR.
Every effort is being made TO save
Philadelphias face. Although Mayor
Smith said that the government. had
'commandeered the entire police force
of Philadelphia, Captain Mills explained
today he is TO work in perfect under
standing" with Director Wilson and is
answerable to him for every official act.
Philadelphia is not considered under
martial law, but military chieftan has
been set up to see that the civil law is
obeyed Should it not be there is no
doubt that martial law will be declared.
COLONEL HATCH DICTATOR.
Lieut. Col Hatch, who may be said
to. thus have assumed the role of a die
tator of the citys morals represents
Secretary Daniels, who rs now indirectly
in control of the policing of the city. In
bringing about the placing of Captain
Mills in the position OF immediate super |
vision of the police force, Col. Hatch |
reserved tho right 90 recommend any ac- |
tion he might judge tho situation demanded |
Col Hatch went 10 Washington Sunday |
10 confer with Secretary Daniels and out /
line 10 him n plan OF procedure. 1t is
understood that Col. Hatch will obtain /
from Secretary Daniels a list of the vice
resorts IN this city which the Secretary has
1t is further planned to notify all the
hreweries in this vicinity not 10 sell 10
resorts on this list. and if bottles with
tho stamp Of hrcwerics are found IN such
places steps 10 prosecute the breweries
will be taken il possible.
DANIELS REQUIRES RESULTS,
Before leaving for Washington, Col.
Hatch made his position clear in these
words,
The government of the United States
is not attempting or desiring to run the
government of Philadelphia Secretary
Daniels is not debating but requiring re-
suits II ! were issuing orders TO the
mayor or to Capt Mills would be rcspon-
siblc for the consequences of the orders.
That is not the case. These officials are
simply reporting 10 me IN the sense of
cooperation
Capt Mills also summed up his posi-
tion this afternoon in the following state
ment which he issued:
There is no truth in the statement
in the public press that the
nited States has commandeered the |
between Director Wilson
and myself, and / have been given by
him full power and control over the en-
tire bureau. and | am answcrable to him
for my every official act.
Since Mr. Wilson became Director
Of Public Safety ] have had absolute
control over me branch of the service
to which he assigned me, and every
recommendation made by me has had
his fullest support ! know enough |
about the attitude and policy of Di-
rector Wilson to state unequivocally
that the same full measure of support
will be given me by the director with
regard TO my new duties.
CAPT. MILLS TO HAVE PULL CONTROL.
II have been informed by the Di-
rector that in no wise are my acts of
the exercise of my judgment to be govern
ed by politics. and that | am to perform
my duties without fear of or favor to any
man, no matter whom or what he may be"
'The director has told me that he
is absolutely opposed to a division of
in this bureau. and that ] am |
to have absolute control Of all of its
branches, and every man In it shall be
to me. /, in person, shall be
only to Director Wilson.
Il believe that in times like the present
the welfare of our men who are called
to fight our battles abroad should be the
first consideration, and | pledge my !
earnest efforts in seeing to it that Phil !
adelphia is kept clear of all agencies hav-
ing a tendency 10 afford temptation of a !
detrimental character to our young men !
engaged in the service Of their country" :
1t was Mayor Smith who used the
'cOmmandeered. In first speaking of
he change in the Police Department,
ne said:
The government has commandeered
he entire police force of Philadelphia. :
md since the government has taken that
tep, | bow TO the United States govern
nent.
WHY ROBINSON WAS DEPOsED. :
Col Hatch has admitted his investiga-
ions showed that op the surface condi-
ions had improved. He was not satisfied,
hough, that the co re of vice was being
ug out, and concluded that the CITY
fiji cials with Supt. Robinson at the head
f the police force, would not be able TO do
II which he deemed necessary. 1t was
Or this reason that Col. Hatch insisted .
pom Capt. Mills being placed in charge
the department.
Capt Mills is "A soldierly looking 4
quick and alert. Before
e joined the police force, thirteen years
go, he was in the army; had fought in
he Philippines and the Boxer uprising in :
'hina Within year after joining the !,
zeal force he was promoted in turn To be :
crgeant Drillmaster and Lieutenant of :
le Reserve Squad He was selected to :,
.udy the traffic problem here and to :
evise the rules which now govern it. :
Re. was sent 10 New York, Buffalo, Bos- :
IN, Montreal and other cities to observe
-affic conditions. Five years ago he was =
lade captain and placed in command of :
ne traffic squad. Ills record is one of hard I
nd honest work. i
SALOONS FACE CLOSING. 81
IAansoIg | 80