The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-21
The Public Be SerUed
DEAL TO CONTROL
POLICE FORCE
COMES TO NAUGHT
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more than a month ago so stated to
Mayor Monteverde. He would not leave
office. however, until the tax rate
question had been settled, but he said
Friday that so soon as he returns, un-
less he can be relieved of some OF his
duties, he will be compelled to hand in
his resignation.
The change Of the three commission
ers was arranged to be made last Tues
day. Mr.. Mason then refused to vote
for the transfer until he had made
further investigation into the police
records. Then, on Mr.. Quinn's motion,
the city commission adjourned to Fri
day at 2 o'clock.
At that hour Mr.. Quinn again moved
to adjourn to 4:S0 o'clock. Harry True,
close adviser Of Mr.. Quinn, had been
fitting around the city hall since 8
o'clock in the morning. At 2 o'clock
he was evidently in anything but a
pleasant frame of mind. When 4:SO
o'clock was indicated by the big clock
in the mayors office, Mr., Quinn and
Mr.. True were both absent.
The four other commissioners, each
smiling, answered to the roll coll, Mr..
Miller presented a paper to the city
clerk. A big surprise seemed about to
be sprung. The council chamber was
jammed with former policemen and
others who want to be- policemen. Per-
haps Mr.. Miller vas going to resign aft
err all.
The clerk read a resolution authoriz-
ing the police and fire commissioner
to advertise for bids for a new fire hall
on FaXon avenue.
The commissioners present all voted
aye. and Mayor Monteverde, the only
man present who wasn't smiling, moved
to adjourn to the next regular meeting
day.
The plan to reorganize the police
department according to Mr.. Quinn's
ideas OF efficiency was dead, at least
temporarily.
whether it will be revived is a matter
that time will determine. 1t will be II
Mr.. Quinn and Mr.. True can bring 1t
about.
Meanwhile Mr.. Miller has started
some reorganizlng on his own account.
The meeting had scarcely adjourned
when he ordered two or three special
police officers suspended, "for the good
Of the service" He may make some
other changes. Probably a number are
needed. Mr.. Miller has said so him
self. but has delayed action until the
wrangle as to his position in the com
mission was settled.
II, on MT, mason 5 return, ne Qeclues
to remain in the city commission, the
tentative plan to have Mr.. Quinn re
sign, and to be elected by the artesiar
water commission as superintendent o.
that department, may fall also.
Mr., Miller Is likely hereafter, in mat
ters Of that sort, to vote with Mr.
Goodman.
Mayor Monteverde and Mr.. Quinn ar,
working together.
Mr.. Mason, therefore, holds the bal,
ance of power in the commission. HI
does not care to take over the stree
department, which would pile NOR,
work or him than that in his owl
department. Some of his friends be,
lieve he will reconsider his determine,
ton to resign, and will continue in tn,
finance department until the end Of hi
term next January.
Mr.. Miller said Fiday night that h,
regretted any reference that had beef
made to alleged charges affecting Mr.
Mason; that he had talked the matte
over with him and withdrawn any re
marks he had made which Mr.. Masol
construed as a reflection upon him.
Effort of certain interests which
would like to control the police depart
ment probably will continue, but il MI
Mason's attitude does not change, an,
he remains in the commission, there /
slight possibility of the plan being car
ried out.