The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1920-03-06
MARKS AND THE GOVERNOR.

doubt that Governor Hadey has been both
pretty continuously by the activities of Thomas
in the office Police Commissioner Of all the in
Cumbents of public office this community Marks has been
the whose vigorous and effective service has been espe
cay odous certain classes of citizens who do not hesitate
to howl when hurt and who adept in the of misrep
reenaton that attract share of public sympathy to their
assistance Actual money profits the things at stake in
the of these citizens whose prosperity damaged by
Commissioner Marks of action The privilege Of sell
ing whskey Sunday exceedingly valuable in big
city when the privilege is limited to few. The privilege
protected gambling similarly specialized something
y worth while Sharing safely the earnings of pickpocke
strong men, and other generously disposed
huslers of easy money means of getting nch quickly
that crook afford disregard when the golden oppor
tuty his way The exit keys of the workhOuse
any politician watch chain There is easy
enue the uckess of the when they made
know that the money they get rghuy the property of
the who be supported by them exchange for
security against the predatory hand of the law.
When is carefully organized there only way
interfere with combination of these interests and that is
by operating the police against them instead of partners in
the enterprise In Kansas City the combination working
beautifully until Commissioner Marks with bulheaded
and general disregard of whose china he breaking
smashed it. Marks restored serepec to the police force
and gave protection decency instead of and there
by he made himself the target for ncesan hatred Not only
that The governor who had appointed him Immediately
continuously annoyed by the disturbed dreputabe op
Grating through their friends in cleaner clothes Seemingly
it easy the hearty assistance of representatives of
he best citizens for the worst purposes if you know how
to go about it.
The greatest important of the profitable indus
which Commissioner Marks ruthesy demolished
business of buying and selling elections Crooked regis
traton crooked voting intimidation, repeating gang rule
generally had been of power and prosperity for
vaegated of and interests when put
the power of self respecting police force behind the good
purposes of unanimously honorable board of election
missioners.
Three eections-one excise proposition that
from the wecage of the criminal protection combine
franchise that meant oppression of the people OF this
the third generation and which depended its
adoption upon the most shameless bribery offered voters
and general city ticket in which false issues
raised muddy the waters of clear question Of public policy
these three elections opened the eyes of the citizens when
certain analysis of the votes disclosed what had been happen
ing habit election day, before Marks nterfered
An this caused accumuative discomfort governor
who had appointed Marks the police board Instead of
dwndng the peterng of Mr. Hadey grew with each mani
United States mail the long distance telephone the
crowded with business all pertaining with the obnoxious char
of the activities of Commissioner Marks Protest
ten wired beloved and whispered in the form of accusation
nnuendo and flat Misrepresentation showered upon the gov
ernor, to his vast annoyance.
So, within week after clean honest general city cleo
tion in which the people distinctly refused up the
underwords disguised attack upon Police Commissioner
Marks the manifest wishes become effective and
the turbulent commissioner is out
Peace unto the Governor!