South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-07
IMPROVE MORAL
CONDITION, NEED

Reviewing moral conditions in
South Bend as one OF the things
which, duly reformed. would en-
nance the local grounds for civic
pride. and soundly scoring the po-
lice administration. Rev. a. NJ
Eells ID. D., pastor OF the Westmin-
ster Presbyterian church. respond
ed 10 Mayor CarsOn's proclamation
OF a civic Sunday in his sermon yes
terday morning. He also took oc-
casion 10 commend Pros. Schwartz
for the apparent effort he is making
10 clean up the city, and for the in
junction suits.
He took as his subject. south
Bend. Bigger and Better and said
in part:
a great corporation is planning
20 bring thousands of laborers into
South Bend. Our mayor has fitting
y issued a proclamation calling
upon the churches TO observe this
day as one in which TO cultivate
greater civic spirit and to devise
ways TO make our metropolis "a big
ger and better city. such as will be
attractive 10 the best class OF people
Responding in good faith 30 our
mayors suggestion we can only be
sincere by considering our def
ciencies and at once take steps 10
correct them.
I'm view Of the contemplated in
crease OF population we should inn
prove our moral conditions. When
men are seen staggering along our
streets. when men about town say
that the city is dry then wink and
smile at each other. and when the
unchaIlenged allegation is made
public TO the effect that a city official
owns building wherein gam bling
was conducted. then we know that
"A serious condition and not excuses
and promises confront us.
Speaks OF Barrett Case.
Naturally we look to tho police
as responsible. Personally / know
some OF these men who are efficient.
ana honest But 7 GO not know all
OF them nor is Il necessary TO know
an OF them 20 be able TO form a well
founded opinion Recall a picture
that has been presented by the pub
lie press. A raid was made on BAR
rett's place. Liquor was seized.
Policemen tasted and tested 70 and
knew 70 was liquor. IL was placed
in the sole custody OF one officer
who locked 20 I'm a room in the city
hail II was supposed 20 remain
there until the time of the trial
During the period OF waiting the
bolts and locks are said 90 have been
tempered with and az the trial il
was found that water had been sub
stituted for the liquor
con the day Of the trial the Off
Ger who had had custody OF the
liquor. instead OF being present in
court goes TO a neighboring city and
j. alleged 10 have told his hosts 20
tel inuuirers that he was not with
the men he was visiting The bottles
were brought into court. the substi-
tuition discovered seemingly an ef-
fort was made 10 ind the police
officer and then the defendant was
discharged. Flimsy explanations
were made. the lawlcss element
laughed and the law abiding citizens
were Disguised. There is difference
between and man who is intelligent
Is dishonest and one who is care
Iesly honest But neither kind
should be tolerated in an Office Of
public trust This IS not an isolated
case or incOmpeiency but the cases
are becoming so frequent and the
excuses so crude that decent people
are getting ready 90 crystaIlize re-
sentiment into action.
Criticiscs Schwartz letter
I'VE also look 20 the prosecutor
for the correction OF public evils lie
IS not supcr-humau nor does ne
claim 10 be- RE Is liable 90 make
mistakes j; was a political and o.
fetal mistake % address letter Of
reproof 20 the mayor and then 20
allow "a copy Of that letter 20 To
published before the mayor replied