Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-11-19
MAYOR REPLIES
TO DEMANDS Of
Gov. M'KELVIE
Mr.. Smith Says He Favors
"Investigation," But He
Doesn't Want It Accom-
panied by "Brass Band"

DOCoti wait ~ HOOOtii
panied by Brass Band"
II am more than anxious to learl
of any failure to perform his duty
if there was such failure, on tn
part of any member of the polio,
force, from the highest officer dow
to the most recently appointe,
member of the force" wrote Mayo
Smith yesterday to Gov. McKelvie
in reply to the governors letter ad
dressed to the mayor and city com
missioners, insisting that thorough
investigation be made into the cour
house riot and particularly the par
taken by the Omaha police depart
ment
Mayor Smith, in connection with
his reply, stated that he is in favor
of an investigation, but he does not
want it accompanied by brass
band" that he is in doubt whether
this hearing should be public in
vestigation, or merely an "investiga-
ton of secret nature.
Surrendered Guns.
1t is known that at least one po-
lice captain and dozen or more po-
licemen surrendered their guns to
members of the mob.
Another police captain, who es-
capped from the court house about 10
O'Clock. was met going down an al
ley, away from the scene of trouble,
by two reputable citizens.
Where are you going" asked
one of the citizens.
I'm out of there and I'm
through" was the police captains
reply. And he continued on his
way.
There's no question about who
this particular police captain was,
according to those who saw and
spoke to him. -.
Governor McKelvie's Demand.
The governor asked that his per-
sonal representative, Ralph F. Viii
son, be permitted to participate at
the proposed hearing. In his letter
the governor wrote:
In view of the above l urgently
request that upon the adjournment
of the present grand jury II, Doug
las county you at once conduct an
investigation of the police depart
ment of Omaha during the riot. per-
hitting Mr.. Wilson to participate by
calling and examining witnesses, or
that Won permit Mr.. Wilson space
in the city hall in which to conduct
an investigation, giving him complete
access to records. files and CORE
spondence of the police department.,
and directing the members of said
police department to appear and
testify at his request"
Shortly after the riot Mr.. Wilson
came to Omaha and appeared before
the city council as an accredited
representative of the governor, ex-
planning his errand and requesting
that the coucil hold an investigation
in which he might take part. The
coucil declinedto adopt resolution,
offered by Commissioner Butler,
calling for the joint investigation as
recommended by the governors rep
resentative.
Waits On Grand Jury.
Mayor Smith stated that he will
bring the governors recent letter to
the attention of the city council as
soon as he grand jury shall have
made its formal report. The mayor
will find opposition in the city coun-
Gil if he attempts to make the in
vestigation a secret affair. The
mayor believes that any investigation
should include the sheriff's office in
connection with the riot.
The mayors reply to governor
McKelvie follows:
81 beg to acknowledge receipt OF
your favor of November IA, address
ed to the mayor~and commissioners
of the city of Omaha.
"This communication will be
placed before the city>council at its
first session after the adjournment
AMI report of the grand jury.
quite agree with Mr.. Wilson in his
Recommendation that any hearing
in the matter be delayed until the
conclusion of the present grand
jury. I don't know what report will
be made by that grand jury and il
is possible that any future action
would be made unnecessary by its
report. I beg to say to you, how.
ever, that I have been making such
investigation as is within my power
since / returned to the mayors OF.
fee, and / am still doing so.
would be very glad to cooperate
with you, or with any one represent
ing you, in that investigation
Whether or not best results can BE-
obtained by a public investigation
where all the facts that are develop,
ed from time to time will be made
public. and those who might be TN.
der investigation advised thereof
, may be a matter of doubt. How.
ever, | am willing to receive any
suggestions you may have to offer
along that line.
81 am more than anxious to learn