The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-12-12

30 !.
1U1GDAY, D1Csn1IR u H.
gAYoR scGRIvER MUST ACT.
lnaSor Il. r. oeAs4ves has choice of two |
uTooo 10 follow IN the matter Of the unsettled
~ department sttuat3on. Either hs must
IN - man he 70 crudely removed - mem
y = the nrs and police board or hs mast
III resign - ths executive head Of the city I
y = nAks way for man willing to put into
ut tAs wishes OF the majority Of the people
= ~ ctty. Mayor Schrivsf has stubborAly ad-
Resd 70 . course during the last year Of his
hinistration that has completely eliminated
II . 4 political factor in Rock Island. He
> besn clingins 70 Z lost cause. None
alises this bsttsr than does Mr.. Schrtver
5I1nseak.
f31 Mayor Schriver ought to be convinced BY
4&GM, and unqusstionably he 10, that he Is
levsr going 70 b able to secure three citissns
r. serve - members Of the IRE and police com
asuion while ths status Of the three depossd
nhers remains - II IL 1t present Those
l~&ee men were literally railroaded ont Of the
KSity hall BY the mayor when they were arrang-
~ 70 open an Investigation OF Chief Of Police
4 4&cmas Cox and his department. The public
antsd that inquiry and 1t wanted it held tn
M opsn in order that all citizens might know
3t1at lad besn taking place within the depart
Mint The taxpayers maintain the police de-
lftmsnt and they are entitled to havs4a re-
3oft concerning its management when they
Cab a~ v{l1 hn oh1 tn
4l9uts the accusation that he dismissed the fire
- police board in order to save the ofhctal
lad q Chief Thomas Cox. who has since
Minded guilty to the charges that had been
entered against him by resigning as head Of the
department.
Mayor Schriver should not lose sight OF the
net that the police and fire departments Of
Rack island are under civil service. Both de-
I zpartmsnts are under direct control Of IRE and
police commission. This commission names
the chiAfs Of both departments, and al of, their
p1bCrdinatss. The mayors responsibility ends
Win the appointment OF the board. The board
Il 1seupposed to conduct its business free Of in
&oefersnce from the mayor or any other city
i Hncial. Thomas Cox ruled the police depart
ant like tyrant. He didn't have more than
4 40 friends In Its personnel when his suspen-
eSpn was ordered By the nrs and police board.
n Mayor Schrtver. City Attorney Scott and
former Chisf Cox are still close friends They
NJ not going 70 forget those who may in any
~ have contT1buted to the downfall Of their
@dbls asfeesnsa& covering the life Of the pres
~ administration Mayor Schriver, in the
Ant he were successful in lining up a new
eelice board. would naturally BIO expected to
hep his faith with Oox.
the people Of Rock Island have heard all
~ care to hear Of Cox - police executive,
e1espt that they do Insist that the ars and 20
M board that started to turn the light upon
- omcial conduct OF tia former chief be per-
uatted to formulate report Of its findings to
- public and to give = clean bill Of health to
~ men Of the police department who stand
A6cased By Coz Of betrayal Of their oaths~ Of
oaAre.
That Is exactly what the people Of Rock
Island are expecting TO happen at the city hall.
10y don't want to hear Of any Russian be-
Z AeAdings in order to appeass the feelings Of
npx or his ofhcial frien4A The Argus believes
st Rock Island has IN honest and e1acient
11nics Department charges Of Thomas Cox
himself now In jAl on . charge 1t mutd1r--to
- contrasy notwithstanding. The Argus de-
Inds that tAose men Be given oleGn mi q
Nth. II y . 70 Mayor scArisss to provide
TIT bill. Ard ~ hill should b iSsasd ~ the
1mbers a ~ aSs ara poaies beard that
worked with those men and obsaxvsd their on
y actions for years.
It's wise man that kA0ws whsn he bumps
Into stone wall. II Mayor schriver hasn't the
bnAahood 70 admit his error and recall the de-