Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-09-24

TIMES IOWA. SEPTEMBER a 1920

are under the direction Of the super
intendent OF public safety, with the
| mayor exercising general supervising
powers. The council, as a whole. is
not responsible for the department,
altho it may be the object Of CEN
sure for the police activities.
Where is tho Responsibility.
The criticism of the police depart
rnent has been general but the re-
sponsibflity Is fixed and those who
have criticism to make should make
1t at the proper place. The men of
the department are under the direct
orders OF the chief. who In turn is re-
sponsible to the superintendent Of
public safety, the actual head OF the
police department. The mayor has
final authority over the department
and may, II he sees Mt, remove the
superintendent and appoint to that
position any other member OF the
council, including himself.
The work Of the department In
combating the criminal element has
been good insofar as the men have
had authority to act. The percentage
or arrests for crime committed
doubtless Is as great as In any city In
Iowa.
Police Know Situation.
No one knows better the condition
existing in this city than the MEM
bers OF the police force but eug-
gestions OF the men are not always
needed by the heads Of the depart
ment.
That a campaign to rid the city of
nndesirables is worth a dozen arrests
following a crime lis the opinion OF
the police. 1t has been urged by the
police that a roundup be made OF
the unemployed of the city but the
suggestion has met with disapprorl
in the department.
That a great percentage OF the
robberies are committed by the
young fellows who refuse to work
but who have money obtained from
some other source is the opinion OF
the police. They desire to arrest
every man without visible means OF
support regardless Of how much
money he may have on his person
and to take into custody the big and
little gamblers who are classed With
the unemployed as Migrants.
Cleanup May Be Demanded.
Good citizens generally approve OF
the plan OF the police. It is believed
that II such a raid were conducted
and the Migrants given the choice OF
going to work. leaving town or going
to jail. there would be a most salts
factory exodus from the city and q
decrease In crime. Citizens advised
of the police proposal have awaited
the word from the man higher up in
administrative circles to put II into
execution and now that no action has
come may urge compliance or may
demand shake-up OF city offices.
Business men have complained that
the night force is insufficient and
have considered employment OF n,en
of their own to protect the business
district. They realize that the de-
partment contains some men who are
willing and competent but they
are heedfui OF the fact that one night
man. with more or less assistance
from the merchant police. can not
properly patrol the business distric.
They also contend that IL the mis- 2
men do not devote their time to the.
duties and find a place to chat with
friends instead Of walking their
beats, it is a matter for the chief of
police to remedy, and the RESPONSE
bility for the deficiencies of the force
are wholly on the chief and the sup
erintendent of public safety