El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-09-15

It was said that most Of these cases involve travellers pass
ing through refuse to stay and prosecute; sometimes
tb5v are noinaiv gambling games sometimes straight
hodups but punishment has been secured The gangs
said to belong IN uare OF to be transents themselves
As to b0oteggng the general sentiment among officers
Of the joint commission that these cases
primarily the duty Of the federal officers to investigate
and prosecute The existence Of booteggg notorious and
practically open was brought out
Many charges, serious made against certain
officers Of the testimony, by plain Implication.
these charges substantated By conclusive
all the concerned Where complete denials not
entered explanations offered that appeared to satisfy
the members Of the joint coissionthe record has it AL
The differences in the testimony Of different witnesses
were as vide the poles The testimony Of witnesses
was discounted because Of evident prejudice
Nothing was adducsd at the hearing TO prove that
vicious resorts protected BY police, that any graft
payments have been are being made that high police
officials have given orders to patolmen and detectives to
Say Off of certain places and ignore the dong Of certain
individuals
It is not intended to give the impression in this
mary that the police department the higher officers
subordinates axonsrsed" by the testimony at the
hearing either Of wrong doing Of protecting wrong doers
All such charges were specifically and positively denied
and none Of them was supported by evidence The verdict
Of any citizen having heard the testimony would be mot
proved"
There remains to be explained one thing Of considerable
importance: Why Is It that the police ignorant
about conditions Of awlessness that matters
mon knowledge to citizens generally?
ANY citizen having heard the testimony would gone
away at the close Of the hearing with the feeling that the
truth had not been ssosransd and that many things
limited at required light The average citizen would
also have gained and valuable comprehension Of the
difficulties with which the police department has to cope
Fl Paso is not foul city Wei informed citizens who
have Travelled widely east and west and north and south
this sumner say that booteggng gambling, and other
vices prevalent and far open the other
cities Of Texas and in most other cities throughout the
country than they are here Fl Paso throughout the last
two decades has been remarkably free from official graft IN
the usual sense that Of passing money for police protection
There been very little Of this any time There
other ways Of procuring protection official federation
relations intimate knowledge Of the private conduct Of
officials, favorsm Of various kinds such considerations
and Fl Paso has not been altogether free from such under
ground influences
It is not possible to have city Ike FL Paso 100 percent
pure But It is possible 10 keep the small lasss minority
within bounds and keep these few from becoming public
nuisance and public scandal This is the standard that
the vast majority Of citizens have night their
officials this is the standard that is demanded by all but
the lawess Fl Paso recently fell considerably below
this moderate standard The fault cannot be fixed any
individual in office the responsibility must be shared
by the entire citizenship.
It is not merely question Of police efficiency: It is in
measure question Of public policy interpreted By
the elected officials of the community. Generally speaking
Community demands strict enforcement Of the laws i
have It; if the general citizenship becomes lax the
lay IS reflected by the officials and they cannot be taxed
with al the blame
The mayor and city council at the hearing as the record
shows, repeatedly expressed sincere desire TO maintain
decent conditions IN = Paso They desire to know al the
facts ana they promise 70 do al tisv 20 insure public
ogder. They responsive to uble opinion their
action IN this instance clearly smoustrates and thew
recognize keenly any other citizen the importance Of
health clean city is good city live and do bust
ness n and the present mayor and council not Of the
sort to sacrifice the city to any s0rdd consideration More
public cooperation with them their renewed and stimu-
lated efforts up the city keep It clean VIII Be
deeply appreciated at the city hall Criticism is welcome
but facts upon which appropriate action be taken VIII
be especially welcome.
Conditions in FL Paso are not what they should be- but
they are not nearly 50 rotten as some critics have asserted
lame Do 70
for moment the strict standards that ought to prevail
the police department and detective bureau Of self re-
specng city The Inspiration for sharp and vigorous
activity By the police must come from above-fro the
mayor, the city council the chief Of police. definite
policy nay well be formed and resoutey adhered TO.
little slackness now and then is the signal to all law
brokers and to weak OF evil disposed police officers to take
every advantage Of the community The mayor VIII at
once define his policy to the police in uncertain terms
and that policy says he, VII be to after the awbreakr
wherever and whenever he begins ply his trade
rights interests general welfare Of the
He pledges himself and the city council to
greater degree Of vigilance than heretofore and he IN
es the cooperation Of all well disposed citizens to this
end He not disposed to shift any Of the blame for
conditions # blame there be.
The joint commission hearing has been good thing
It resulted in scandal It produced sensation, It
vealsd no evidence to convict any officer Of graft but it
be stopped and it did indicate to the mayor and city
ell the necessity Of giving somewhat detailed atten
ton to the general conditions Of law observance in the
city and 70 the actual conduct Of the police department.
Il also put the police department and the lawless minority
in the CITY on notice that the mayor and council are not
only the watch but that they wiz not tolerate oorup
ton If they know Of It.
There WY vigilance should be confined to
the mayor and council the police commission OF TO
the police department; vigilance is equally the duty Of
every citizen And citizens nay properly be expected to
abide by the laws themselves and take every oppor
un when they sit uris TO Isist the officers the
law to bring awbreakers to justice and to punish when
Necessary No citizen honestly dodge his full share Of
responsibility IN this connection and It is rather punv
thing to devote ones entire energies damning the men
u office. i
Honest constructive criticism and loyal and courageous
assistance VIII assist IN the work Of retirement
Nov China's at it.
The city Of Madrid Spain. has law which prohibits