Evening journal., 1918-02-14
POLICE Commission
RILES UNION MEN
Refuse TO Attend Council
Conference for Discussion
of Docking System
ONE NE MBER WOULD
HAVE OFFICIALS QUIT

last night in which they refused 20 at.
tend the conference of the COuncilmer
and members Of the Non-partsan
League and the Central Labor Union "a
discuss the docking system in vogue
IN the police department. members Of
the B0sid Of Police Commissioners in
formed Council that they would be
pleased TO discuss this or any other
subject with the Council committees
at any time This letter, which was
read at the meeting OF Council caused
much comment among the hundred or
more citizens present, who had expect
ed 20 hear representatives of the Nom
Partisan League and the Central Labor
Union heckle the commissioners over
The rules Of the police department,
which allow the commissioners to com
pei a patrolman to do duty without pay
as a punishment for violating the rules
Of the department.
Evidently peeved over the actions Of
the police commissioners in failing to
appear, several members Of the Central
Labor Union endeavOred to have Coun-
ell so on record with them against the
"docking" rule
James O'Kane, member OF the Cen
tral Union. was active in trying to
force this issue. and when informed by
Councilman James w Robertson that
it was a rule Of Council TO discuss all
matters among rs own members be-
fore committing themselves, but they
were always willing TO hear anyone on
any subject Mr. O'Kane stated that 10
was desired 20 take back 10 their or
ganization the information 9s 10 where
Council stood in the docking" matter
THIS caused Councilman Robertson TO
say: "Air Chairman, I arise TO point
Of order Can you men not trust us.
II you think YOU can drive us you are
up against the wrong bunch. Haven't
we treated you fair and given you
hearing2"
The incident came near causing free
for-all discussion. but Councilman
Ward chairman OF The police commit
Zee, made it clear that the committee
had not dropped the matter and that
they would have q report TO make on
lhe subject later.
The meeting was opened by pres-
dent Lyons calling on Mr.. Ward TO ex-
plain the object Of the conference This
Mr. Ward did. whereupon Mr.. Lyons
had Clerk Of Council Homer C. Sim
HUNS ANhA NAlN AUlAUWAlh NUMilAQlllNu-
tion which had been received from the
Police Commission early in the even
Ing.
am directed by the Board Of
Police Commissioners to acknowl-
edge the invitation Of the Council
OF the Mayor and Council sitting IN
committee Of the whole OF the sth
instant to be present at a confer
1a rr1arnhnrl aF
Council. the Voters Non-partsan
Leaeue and the Central Labor
Union relative to the rules and
regulations governing the discipline
Of the police department of The city
OF Wilmngton TO be held in the
Council chamber on the 18th inst.
The Board of Police Commission
ers instructed me 90 decline your
invitation to the proposed confer
ence and TO express 90 the Council
that not only would such a meet
ing be fruitless of any benefit 90 the
administration Of the police depart
ment. but embOdies no matter what
they may be, other than the police
department are 20 formulate The
rules and regulations Of the police
department an authority discipline
and obedience will disappear IN this
department.
However. the Board Of Police
Commissioners will be pleased 10
discuss this or any other subject
pertaining TO the department with
committee Of the Council at any
time.
Chief Of Police Black attended the
conference as spectator City SOlici-
uH al rlraaanf
ana at the request of -ihe C0uncilmen
explained the law under which the
Police Commission was created.
After Clerk % Council simmons had
ceased reading the communication,
President Of Council Lyons said that he
did not see how Council could DO any
thing without The Police Commission
CTS being present John T Timoncy.
of the Bricklayers' Union. then asked
II anyone knew why the commissioners
were not present, and Mr.. Lyons said
that the letter lust read and received
ten minutes earlier would answer that
question John c. Sayl0r. secretary OF
the Central Labo~ Union. being granted
the privilege Of the floor. said that the
Central Labor Union had attended the
conference in good faith. and that DE
against the commissioners for ignor-
ing The invitation OF City Council TO at
tend He also explained the objections
~ the Central Labor Union against the
Police Dena- tment system Of docking
because the body was Interested in the
police. as they were servants OF the
people Mr.. Saylor also said politics
did not enter into the matter. as the
Central Labor Union had protested
against the docking system prior 10 the
organization OF the Non-pariisan
League. Mr.. Saylor said that the plan
followed by the Police Department OF
Portland. Ore had been approved by
the Central Labor Union and the Nom
Partisan League. There, Mr.. Saylor said.
they have a trial board composed Of
members OF the force. For a first Of
fcnse. he said, the labor people recon-
mended that man be reprimanded,
for the second fined q day Of his va
cation. for the third fined three or four
DAYS Of his vacation. and for the fourth
Onense he Is dismissed from the force,
explaining that the Wilmington police
are paid for a vacation Of seven days.
he said the union does not believe in
the docking system. but they do be-
iieve in maintaining discipline. lie said
the labor unions do not think the po-
lice are being given a square deal He
praised the police force and compli-
mented the city upon its ilne City Hall
and police equipment
( N. Davis, president of the Nom (
parfizan League who had offered IN T.