The New York herald., 1921-08-20
MERCHANTS PROTEST
POLICE TICKET SALE
Field Day Cause Worthy but
Methods Wrong, Asserts
Letter to Hylan.
PERSECUTION IS FEARED
w. +. Morgan Tells How One
Man Bought 100 Admissions
to Pacify Patrolmen.
PERSECUTION is FEARED

Protest against police methods in
field games in September was made
yesterday to Mayor Hylan and Police
Commissioner Enright through the
Merchants Association. A letter signed
by William Fellowes Morgan. presi-
dent of the association, said many
business men feel they are being sub
jected to a form of persecution.
The step was taken after numerous
complaints to the association had cited
instances of drastic police methods to
force ticket sales. One complaining
merchant gave these facts, included in
the letter of protest:
"On Saturday and Sunday the men
stationed on Central avenue at the en-
trance of Woodlawn Cemetery held up
every car they could-actually stopped
them-and did their best to force pur-
chase OF tickets. Every traffic officer
has a bunch of tickets in his hand and
invites purchase from automobilists.
IAN officer waited twenty minutes at
my home door and tackled me when I
came down to take my automobile. And
last year the captain of the precinct in
which / live sent men to my house sew
eral times. and finally a sergeant came
with a letter from the captain practi-
cally demanding that buy fifty tickets.
He was so insistent that finally took
twenty. and all told I had to buy last
year more than 100"
Fears "Dema nds or Threats.o
Mr. Morgan said the association ap-
preciates the worthy purpose of the field
days. but continued:
I'VE must nevertheless point out, as
we have on former occasions, the serious
objections TO solicitation of the public
by police officers for any purpose. how
ever worthy
while no doubt the great majority
OF the police force will make such So
licitation In proper and courteous man
ner. devoid of all offence. 1t is neverthe-
less true that a considerable number
will give their requests the form of de-
mands and sometimes even OF threats.
II Is unquestionable that many pur-
chasers of tickets buy them with the
feeling of coercion and in the belief that
failure to buy may render them subject
to petty police persecution In various
forms.
I'VE bring the matter to your atten-
ton In the confident expectation that
you will take such steps as may be nee
essary to protect citizens against the
annoying conditions Indicated"
The letter 10 Mayor Hylan said:
For your information we are send
tv,e 1ar ~ AZ aA
by us to Police Commissioner Enright
protesting against the manner in which
some members of the police force are
soliciting citizens to buy tickets to the
Field Day games.
1T is obvious that In some cases the
official station of police officers may
readily be abused and that In the case
OF insistent solicitation citizens may feel
IL impoltic to refuse to respond to de-
mands made upon them by uniformed
officer. The reasons are obvious and we
trust you will see that proper steps are
taken to prevent any further abuse OF
the nature indicated
Meyer Inquiry Gets Figures.
The amounts raised at the previous
police games and the disposition OF the
funds was a question which interested
tHe meyer investigating COnmlttee, ana
which drew statement from Commits
sioner Enright.
From this N appeared that on July !
last s106.042.69 remained from the fund
Of $377.t90.o0 raised by the 1918 games.
which was deposited to the credit of the
police reserves for the purchase of uni
forms and other purposes Alfred J.
johnson. formerly City Chamberlain, ia
treasurer OF the fund
The 1919 games brought in s31p,-
o3o.63. Mr.. Enright said and the 1920
games st1e.7674s, both amounts being
deposited 10 the credit of the police
reserve fund providing pensions for
widows and orphans OF members OF the
department who we're not long enough in
service 10 receive pensions. Commits
sioner Enright said he was under $780,
900 bond to see that these funds were
faithfully kept He did not say what
the bank balance of the funds is at
present.
rt has been reported that members OF
the force are protesting against the or
ders requiring them 70 dispose OF large
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