Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-04
RETURNING OF ROBINSON
MAY DOOM TROOP LANDING

/ Director Wilson has ordered Superin-
tendent Robinson to take charge OF the
| Police Department and to detail Acting
| Superintendent Mills in charge of vice in
! this city.
! "It has been my endeavor. while per-
tive of the Secretary of the Navy, to
| interfere as little as possible in details
of the city government I now feel, II
the newspapers correctly quote the situ-
alton. Acting Superintendent Mills has
been shorn of that authority in the DO
lice department which is necessary IN
carrying oGt his duties, with the result
of a corresponding decrease IN morale
and efficiency in the department.
I'm view of the above, it will be neces-
sary for me to bring these facts TO the
attention OF the authorities In Washing
ton today and it IS therefore requested
that you give me some idea as to the
reasons you have found ii necessary. if
the newspapers quote correctly, to relieve
Acting Superintendent Mills from the
duties he held before Superintendent
Robinson entered the army. Yours very
truly.
(Sgned) &c. b. HATCH,
Lieutenant Colonel U. S. Marines. Law
Enforcement officer"
Mayor Answers Hatch
The Mayors reply follows:
Lieutenant Colonel G. B. Hatch,
United States Marines. Law Enforce
ment Officer 100 South Fifteenth
street, Philadelphia.
My Dear Sir--The first intimation
that your request for an interview on
December l6 last had reference to the
return of Superintendent Robinson is
contained in your letter OF this morning
Your statement that the meeting was
held at room purposely selected by
me at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel is
iinmaterial: so Is the statement that this
procedure was suggested by you; and
the reason, too. that You give for such
suggestion, which, while :, will probably
look we'll in print, is really OF no con-
sequence.
"As 70 the questions brought up at
that meeting: AS | recall it, the first
was. as you say, the advisability of
detailing strong military and naval
patrols for duty in this city; in order
to take care of and protect men in
uniform found upon the streets in an
intoxicated condition. My recollection
of what you told me regarding this is
that a letter had been sent to Secretary
Daniels by some persons or organiza-
tlon suggesting such a patrol; that the
letter had been forwarded to you by
the Secretary without comment At that
time We also discussed conditions which
had been observed by us both on the
day the armlstice was signed, and which
had to do with intoxication of men in
uniform, and the question Of the patrol
was left 10 your decision.
AT that stage of our interview. Won
may recall, l suggested that perhaps a
letter from me requesting the pubIio
generally TO realize the fact that to
furnish liquor to men in uniform was
mistaken kindness as well as a mistaken
form Of hospitality, and you thought
well of the suggestion. Such a letter
was written. ! have no doubt you saw
1t.
Then you mentioned the facts that
the newspapers had referred to the re-
turn OF Superintendent Robinson and
asked me IL he was returning and
whether It was the intention to nut Rob.
inson in charge Of the department. and
l replied that | presumed he would
occupy the position he retired from at
the time he entered the service of the
Government. And further said that
had no idea that the Director of the
department or 1upliC Safety cop-
templated anything else Subsequently.
discussed with the Director the question
Of protection to the soldiers and sailors
"a present here and those returning
from foreign shores. and we determined
to place Assistant Director Mills in en-
tire charge of the vice situation, with
authority 10 select the men lie desired IN
assist him.
director Wilson Is in charge of the
Department of Public Safety and anv
matters pertaining TO the conduct OF the
affairs of that office which concerns vo,,
you are at liberty to take up with him
I am in entire accord with the position
taken by him returning Mr. Robinson
az Superintendent OF Police and in do.
falling Assistant Superintendent OF
Police Mills in entire charge OF vice
conditions in this city. which. together
with other duties, he has had since Nav
1918. and do not purpose lending nv aid
to a controversy which can only result
in the unjust vilitication of the fa,,
name of this patriotic and clean CITY"
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