The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-12-27
COMMISSIONERS SUSPEND M'KINN0l

ed, verify believe, and allege the fact
to be that said Vincent McKinnon, as
such chief of police, has wilfully failed,
neglected and refused to do and per-
form the said duties as chief OF police
in that he has been guilty Of insub
ordination and of conduct unbecom-
ing his office and has wilfully failed to
obey and carry out lawful orders of
said Fred A. Baxter as mayor of said
city, and has advised members of said
police department to refuse to coop
crate with the said mayor in the en-
forcement Of the laws Of the state of
Wisconsin, and ordinances Of the city
Of Superior, and to ignore the orders
of the mayor in regard thereto and in
the discharge of their respective duties
as members Of the police department
Of the said city; that he has wilfully
failed to enforce discipline in the po-
lice department., and has wilfully per-
mitted gross violation of law and Of
duty on the part of members Of the po-
lice department. without either disci-
plining such members, investigating
reports Of violation of law and Of duty,
or causing to be made or making COM
plant before the board of police and
fire commissioners Of said city on &C.
count thereof; that he has wilfully in
structed members of the police depart
ment Of said city to render no assist
ance or aid to officers of the United
States government charged with the
enforcement Of laws, and prosecution
Of offences under the laws of the Uni
ted States, contrary to his oath Of Of
flee to support the constitution Of the
United States, and to ordinances Of
the city of Superior and his duty as
such chief Of police; that he has will
fully failed, refused and neglected to
enforce laws of the state of Wisconsin
and ordinances of the city of Superior,
and particularly the laws relating and
prohibiting prostitution and conduct
ing Of houses for the purpose Of pros
titution, gambling and the conducting
Of houses for the purpose Of gambling,
and the illegal sale Of intoxicating
liquors.
Some Specific Instances.
AS specific instances of "violation
of duty" which are alleged, there are
% counts, in brief are as follows:
lon or about April Is, 1918, the
compliments aver that Mayor Baxter
instructed Chief McKinnon to enforce
the laws of the city, and particularly
those with relation to prostitution and
conducting houses Of ill-fame and
gambling and conducting gambling
houses, and promised to assist him in
every way to suppress prostitution,
gambling, illegal liquor sales and 9TH
er lawlessness, but that the chief has
wilfully failed, neglected and refused
to diligently enforce these laws and to
cooperate with Mayor Baxter.
2.-As a result of such failure it is
charged that the department is now
disorganized and Inefficient, many
members Of the department not being
on speaking terms, and it is further
alleged that the personal conduct of
each member of the department and
his attitude toward law enforcement
are left to his personal judgment.
4.-This charge alleges that Chief
McKinnon called G.. E. Herman, an
agent Of the u. s. department Of JUS
tice to his office and after accusing
him of having said that he had seen
him (the chief) drinking in Gappa Is
store that he had given Herman no
opportunity to explain but had abused
him, threatened him with bodily harm
and had struck him in the face as he
attempted to leave.
5.-Alleges that about Sept. 8, 1919
Chief McKinnon complained to Capt
Osborn Of the latter's consulting with
Mayor Baxter, and told him that he
and the other members Of the depart.
ment were ignoring the mayor.
Favored Ada Griffith.
6.-Alleges that in August 1917, that
on reporting that Ada Griffith, an un.
derworld character of the city, had
been indicted and that she had been
summoned as witness in federal
court, that Miss Emma Tyler, police
woman, was directed by the chief to
stay away from federal court.
7.-Alleges that in July, 1918, that
Police Woman Tyler testified in the
Griffith case, the trial resulting in the
conviction of the accused and her sen
tence to prison, and that on her re-
turn con account Of the activity OF
said Emma Tyler in this case" that
the chief thereafter refused to talk
with her as to her duties or to aid he1
or supervise her work.
8.-Alleges that about June 4, 1915
Police Woman Tyler reported to Chief
McKinnon that she had a witness who
claimed to have had immoral relations
with certain patrolman, and that
the chief neither investigated nor disci
plined the accused nor reported the
charges to the police and fire com
mission.
9.-Alleges that Miss Tyler reported
| to the chief that she had another wit
ness who claimed to have had immora
relations with the same patrolman, but
the chief did nothing.
10.-Alleges that Miss Tyler reported
third witness who claimed to have
been solicited to have immoral rela
tions with the same patrolman, but
that the chief took no action.
Reported on Hotel.
11.-Alleges that Miss Tyler at vari
Gus times during 1914 and 1915 re
ported to Chief McKinnon that drug,
were being sold illegally and thai