El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-25
EdN,ardSASked
To TaReJObAS
Chief OfPOHce
Says Salary Too Small
Mayor Says Commission
Must Name Winner.

Peyton ]. Edwards has been offered
I the position Of police chief by mayor
Davis, having, it is supposed. the con-
sent Of the police commission. but 1ir.
Edwards has not yet accepted. The
l last tender Of appointment was made
to Mr.. Edwards Monday afternoon
Il cannot afford to take the posi-
ton for the salary # pays" said Mr..
Edwards. "and. also. my family is op-
posed TO my taking the position"
What if the city should increase
the salary" he was asked
1t can't do IT," he said, mot easily,
anyhow. While the majority Of the
business men would be willing to have
the salary increased, and to pay more
taxes 10 get a man in whom they
could have faith. there are hundreds
Of other taxpayers who would com
plain. who think that a salary Of
$500 a year is big"
Powers still in Race.
Tom Powers. avowed applicant for
flee Of mayor Davis Tuesday morning
and this gave rise 10 a report that he
was Withdrawing from the race, but
It was stated later by mayor Davis
that he had not withdrawn
A committee composed OF J. L.
Campbell DIT. H L. Detwiler l. L
Robinson and W. v. Long, appointed
by the congregation Of the First
Presbyterian church to protest the
appointment Of Powers, called upon
mayor Davis Tuesday morning The
committee was assured by the mayor
that every petition Of the citizens
against the appointment Of Powers
would receive consideration, and stat
ed that no action had yet been taken
in regard to the appointment Of a
nH Of
pOintment could be made. 1t was nee
essary for three names to be certified
by the civil service commission.
The committee was treated very
cOurteOusly by mayor Davis, who
stated that he would give the matter
his full consideration" said AIR. Camp
bell.
Mayor Davis announced Monday az
ternOOn that he had no intention Of
appointing Powers or anyone else 10
the position OF chief unless his name
should be certified TO him by the po-
lice commission.
This is considered as tantamount to
saying that Powers is out OF the race.
since II is generally believed that the
commission viii not certify his name
has the right to refuse 10 examine
Powers for the position, II Its mem
bership wishes
Commission Must Act.
The city charter says:
That after the adoption OF this
amendment all vacancies in the fire
and police departments Of the city Of
Fl Paso shall be filled by the mayor
and city council by persons who shall
be recommended by this commission
for appointment to fiji such vacan-
cies
According 20 the code Of rules Of
the civil service commission. the com
mission can refuse TO recommend the
name OF a man 20 the mayor for aD-
pointent. even after he has success
fully passed the tests IL may provide.
II can refuse 10 recommend him upon
moral or othsr grounds.
Discussing the matter. mayor Davis
said
Il cannot appoint anyone CHIEF OF
police until after his name has been
certified TO me by the city civil ser
vice commission. The only way ]
could appoint M Powers to the DO
sition Of chief Of police without the
recommendation of the civil service
commission would be 70 ignore the
commission. and 7 certainly have no
intention OF doing that His appoint
ment would not be legal If I should
think OF doing anything as absurd as
that
Powers Reasons.
Whatever may be my personal
feelings in this matter I shall not per
nit them to interfere with the proper
discharge OF the functions Of the city
civil service commission II may be
true that ] have not looked with dis
favor on the application OF Tom Pow
ers. Many other good people also
look with favor on IT, Many OF the
leading business men Of the city de-
clare that he Is strong man and
would make a good chief Of police. He
has stated that he desires an opportu- Z
nifty to redeem his name 10 make his
name honored and respected here It I
is generally conceded that he has SUI /
ficient ability and strength TO make a Z
good chief
These observations. however. have I
nothing to do with my official acts as /
mayor I repeat that cannot appoint I
anyone chief OF police unless he has /
first been certified TO me by the city |
civil service commission. II the civil /
service commission does not certify /
his name 10 me cannot even consider /
him q g cher