Evening journal., 1919-09-11
DAVIS APPOINTMENT
AGAIN PROTESTED
Police Insis. Sergeant Was
Named Contrary TO De-
partment Rules
COUNCIL ASKS FOR
GRIEVANCE IN WRITING


Forty members Of the local police
force appeared before City Council, sit
ting as a committee OF the whole last
night 10 protest against alleged un-
fairness in the matter Of promotions
in The department and supplementing
their charges flled in writing a week
ago in the matter Of the appointment
of Joseph A. Davis. as sergeant-instruc-
tor in the department Operator John
6aynor who lfat been selected as
spokesman for tbe men. stated their
grievances. and while urging Council
10 take some action in the matter de-
clared that the police would abide by
the decision Of City Council no matter
what that decision might be.
The men c0ngregaied In the lobby
on the third floor Of The Public Build
ing. some time before the hour for
meeting, and freely discussed their
grievances The leaders urged That
every body keep cool. but IL was very
evident that little more would be re-
quired 30 cause the police force TO
take some drastic action Is Council does
not pour OH on the troubled waters.
As soon as Council went into ses-
sion The matter was taken up and
upon motion, the men were invited in.
The question was raised as to whether
OF not Council should see all the men
present. or talk with a committee Sc
lected by the men, 10 was unanimous
~ decided TO permit all present 10
crowd into The room, II possible, ana
TO hear any one that desired TO speak
Prior 20 The entrance Of the men,
Council decided that II would simply
hear the men discuss their grievances
and then wait 10 hear from the Board
OF Police Commissioners. but this de-
cision was evidently forgotten after
Onlcer Gaynor told them Of some al
legged favoriisms shown Joseph A.
Davis. and some actions OF the police
commissioners which they believed TO
be a violation Of the law and rules Of
the department The proceedings
throughout. were conducted In a very
orderly manner. and il was evident
hat the police made a very strong
case before the C0uncilmen.
An appeal was made TO Council to |
Take the matter up with the Board OF
Police Commissioners and TO investl- !
gate the records Of the commission re- |
lating 20 Davis from June 70, 1915 |
when he received Ms flrst appoint |
ment
I'VE do not claim" said Mr. Gay
lor. that the police commissioners !
ia not act within their rights In max
me the appointment They have the
power TO change the rules Of the de-
partment when they see ft. We do
claim that they acted unfairly AMI
there was undue favoritsm shown.
we ask for an Investigation OF the
commissions records and are willing
10 abide by your decision. which we
know viii be made in fairness and
Justice. All we want Is a square deal.
The chief complaint made by the
spokesman was that men worthy Of
promotion had been superseded by
Davis Mr. Gaynor referred TO the mot 1
toes In the police school room remind |
ing pairolmen that there Is plenty OF
room for promotion and encouraging
them 20 strive for advancement, such
an action as this. he said, removes the
incentive for effort.
Il was alleged that Davis was not
citizen Of Delaware when he re-
celved his frst appointment TO the de-
partment. According to Mr.. Gayn0r'
Davis was In Wilmington as an in
siructor 20 the Delaware militia when
ne was engaged by the police depart
ment as instructor The day he Joined
the force as a patroman. Mr., Gaynor
said Davis was promoted TO sergeancy
When he left 10 Join the army he did /
not get leave OF absence and either
must have resigned or was absent /
without leave. The record Of the men
who had obtained leave Of absence to
serve In The army was quoted, but
Davis name did not appear.
President Of Council Lyon told The
policemen that they would have TO
present their side Of the case in writ
ing. so that Council could have the
facts before them without fear Of
making mistakes and could undertake
fair and impartial investigation. The
delegation then Withdrew and viii
submit a written statement Of their
position for perusal next Wednesday.