The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-09-28
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SUSPENDED CHIEF TO Be !
GIVEN HEARING BEFORE
BOARD ON FILED CHARGES
Newly Appointed Commis.
sion to Open Inquiry at
First Session at City
Hall Tonight.
!.

Charges and counter
charges in the affairs Of the
Rock Island police depart
ment shakeup will occupy
the attention of the new
board of fire and police COM
missioners when they meet
this afternoon or evening in
the city hall.
The major charge against
the suspended head of the
department, Thomas Cox, as
preferred by the board
which ended its incumbency
yesterday, is that Of ineffi-
cheney in conduct of the de-
partment, permitting the de-
partment to become demor-
allied without bringing the
matter to the boards atten-
ton.
!. Cox, on the other hand, has az
firmed that he has found certain
members Of the group of officers
and detectives refractory, that they
have repeatedly disobeyed his Or
ders to arrest law violators and
close places where the law is being
violated. He has promised to rem
der to the board specific charges
against individuals of the depart
ment along this line.
There is much comment upon this
statement among the officers.
Their privately voiced opinion is
that the heads" of some of those
who have had the bad taste to have
exercised discretion in the matter
Of taking orders from authorized
or unauthorized sources will be
sought in the course of the work
Cox Alters Attitude.
The change in Co1's attitude as
voiced this morning was a surprise
to those who have been following
the case.
Il now think l will not prefer
specific charges against any Of the
officers" he told an Argus repre-
sentative.
In a meeting of the commissiG::-
ers Of the fire and police board
Monday night the chief admitted
that the department was demoral-
lied and that his orders had been
disobeyed by his men,, At that time
he asserted that he would speedily
prepare and file charges against
members Of the force. 1t was ca
pected that this would be done at
meeting of the new board. III
order that the investigation of de-
moralization of the department
might proceed along the lines
mapped out by the former board.
Cox has not been at the city hall
since he left there Tuesday. thoE..
in the city offices said today. He
has been around elsewhere in the
city on private affairs.
Again referring to the affairs at
city hall Cox said this morning: Il
have nothing at all to say to the
fire and police board" He inti-
mated that he would play no volun-
tary part In the investigation to be
continued by the new commission
ers
Members Get Facts.
Since our appointment as men,
bers Of the board of police and fire
commissioners we have been max
ing inquiries for our personal
guidance" William A. Smith,
member of the board, stated tAis
afternoon. I'VE have sought TO
ascertain what basis, il any, there
is for the claim that the police de-
.partment is in state of demoral-
ization, and we will have some
thing to say ON the subject when
it comes before our first formal
meeting at the city hall this eve
ming. We first will organize and
elect a chairman and secretary.
and then expect to proceed with an
investigation Of any charges that
are filed with the board involving
the personnel of the department
under our control"