Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-29
mayor HAS NO
TIME TO PROBE
POLICE CHARGES
|dmits He Would Be Kept
Busy Investigating Nasty
RumorS
ILL TO BE LET SLIDE
lot Sure Magnelli Will Be
Given Hearing on Floor
of Council

fIarrisburg's police force will not
thoroughly investigated that it
E ay be either given a clean bill-of-
aracter or be reorganiZed and in
mpetent and alleged morally def
ent members of the force re-
aced.
Mayor Daniel l.. Keister has no
ne for such an investigation. To-
~, he stands pat on his decision to
augurate no investigation of
arges of woefully gross miscon-
bet unless specific charges are
dyed against members of the
Hrce."
Evils, quite apparent to most OBJ
rving citizens, and concerning
hich particularly odious reports are
circulation, are not to receive the
tention of the Mayor of Harris
prg. Specific charges must be
dyed before he will stir himself,
the impression that he created to-.
".
No Time For Probes
His attention was called to some
the more disreputable rumors,
mors that are decidedly odious to
self-respecting persons, but they
not form a sufficient basis on
hich he will make an investiga-
Pn. IF 1 were to make investiga-
bns on such charges, 1 would have
ne to do nothing else" he de-
lres.
one particular case, said incom-
tible with the actions of a man
opposed to be Il guardian of pub
safety, was called to the at
htion of the Mayor. He was told
one member of the detective
rce regularly operating two auto
bibles, with their stands in Market
rect and frequently engaged by
rsons of loose character, and
ending much of his time, includ-
8 hours during which he is sup
sed to be on duty, at this stand"
1T the. charge is too indefinite for
e Mayor to take any action.
He was asked whether he had ever
d any information concerninEtfi
bitter, but he declared that he never
d. He added, however, "That he
ends more time than is required
him in the performance of his
ties"
All "Work Overtime"
Queried as to whether his remark
build not lead one to believe that
had heard of the situation and
to whom the he" concerning
lom he spoke referred, the Mayor
id that he was referring to no par
tular member of the detective
rce, and that each member spends
uch extra time in the perform
ce of his duties.
1t is quite fitting and proper for
detective to conduct an auto
pbile business, Mayor Keister be-
ives. He avoided comment as to
charges that have been made
ncerning the detectives bus line"
The Mayor admits of hearing of
well authenticated blackmailing
isode in which a member of the
tective force was implicated, but
Es that no investigation was made
cause the incident did not occur
his administration and because
e charges were again too indefi-
The Mayor appears to be some
bat dIspleased with the turn that
He Magnelli-Schmeh episode has
ken. why doesn't he make his
argos to me-" the Mayor demand
this morning.
aPatrolman Magnell, discharged
Eeral days ago because he had ac-
pted a reward of thirty cents for
burning horse more than a year
o. has made sweeping charges of
|sconduct against members of the
rec and threatens to bring them
fore Council. Mayor keister de-
ned to comment on the probabil-
of Council giving the discharged
embers of the force a hearing, de-
bring that is entirely a matter of
uncirs. But he appeared to be-
We that Magnelli should bring the
argos before Inn as the chief exc
tive of the city.
SchmchI Denies Charge
Edward +. Schmehl, the other
scharged patrolman to-day said he
ew nothing of a charge made by
Mexican whom he wa alleged to
We searched. Schmehl says he
Yer saw the prisoner. He made
following affidavit:
"Officer Schmehl not guilty in
PXican case.
II know absolutely nothing about
MeXican's case of which 1 am
cused in the Patriot.
The testimony against me is posi-
ely false, and my name or person
S noconnection whatever with the
Sc.
(Signed Edward Z. Schmehl."
Sworn and subscribed to this goth
y of January, 1919.
(Signed) John S. Harris,
Notary Public"
~ Commission Expires Feb. 19,