The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-06-13
SHAW SCREWS LID
down ON M|N0T
President of City Commission Asks
for Two Special Police to Assist
in Law Enforcement and Prom
ises to do the Job Up Brown.

The following message delivered bv
President w. S. Shaw to the members
of the city commission of Minot We'd
nesday morning, is of the utmost i'm
portance and the suggestions made
were adopted by the Board:
To the Board of City Commissioners.
Minot, North Dakota.
Gentlemen:
During the past year or more there
mas been considerable criticism of the
city administration, and particularly
of myself, to the effect that our CITY
administration has been lax in law
enforcement in Minot, and particular
~ in the enforcement of the prohi-
bition law, and the impression seems
to have gone out that have not been
IN sympathy with law enforcement in
this city. | wish to assure this board,
and the city, state and federal author
tiles, that | am heartily in favor of
law enforcement, and l feel that our
board should go on record as willing
to cooperate fully with the county,
state and federal officers in the en-
forcement of these laws. Regardless
of past disputes and differences con-
corning where the blame should rest
IN these matters, let US assure these
authorities and the State Council of
Defense as well, that we are anxious
to cooperate with them and assist to
the extent of our abilities in law en-
forcement in this city.
OF course, under the commission
system, the work of the city is di-
vlded into separate depy yrtments by
law, and while it. is the duty of the
President of the Board to exercise
some supervision over the various de-
partnlents and make suggestions, | do
not ask to be permitted to usurp the
duties of our Commissioner of Police,
because I believe that he is, and has
been, efficiently performing the work
of his department.. However, | would
request that this Board authorize the
Police Commissioner and myself, as
President, to employ at least two ex-
ira men in the Police Department as
special officers to assist in this law
enforcement work, such men to be en-
ployed as long as may be necessary
to gather evidence Of any law viola
tions, and especially to prevent the
sale of any liquor in Minot, or the
bringing of any to the City, if any
such violations are now being carried
on. and that the salary and expense
of said special officers be paid by the
city.
l have discussed this matter with
the Police Commissioner and with the
City Attorney, and they are heartily
in accord with the above suggestions,
and will cooperate in every way pos
sible in this work.
Our country is at war, and therefore
it is all the more necessary that we
pursue policy of strict law enforce
ment, and furthermore, that we COOP
crate with the state and federal au-
thorities in seeing to it that there are
no idlers, and that all able bodied men
in our city be compelled to work.
Our Police Department has already
done very efficient work in assisting
in the enforcement of the draft and
registration laws, and this work
should be continued and complete
check made at once of all men in Mi
not of draft age, to weed out and pros
ecute slackers, if any there be.
l request that this communication
be filed, and that the suggestions made
be adopted by this Board, and copy
of the same be filed with the Cover
nor, the Attorney General, States At
torney, and the United States District
Attorney.
Dated this 18th day of June, 1913.
Respectfully submitted,
w. S. SHAW,
President.