The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-15
WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER Is, lssa
cox STILL ON THE PAYROLL

"ANhSAA' NVvLADLn 10 ASs@
rs cox STILL ON THE PAYROLL
Thomas Coz u no longer chief 6f police Of
Eek Island. but 1t 10 assumed he is legally en-
$it1ed to full pay since his retirement with the
9ception OF the period Of suspension desis-
bated BY the Ore and police board when it de-
Md to conduct an investigation of his depart
rent Mr.. Cox has declared that he will not
6e4lgn under IRE; that to do SO would be an
dfnission Of the truth Of the charges that have
N3een preferred against him. The suspended
eAlef is not to be blamed for standing his
round. A fighting man always is to be ad-
niyed over gutter But the man who fights
Ought first be sure that he has something to
Eeg1t with before he throws his hat into >the
4ink.
III The people Of Rock Island are content to
have the police department directed by the
Snan now In charge, but they are not quite sat
1bhed with the status Of Mr.. Cox with reference
- his connection with the municipal payroll
If. Cox has not been interviewed on the Ques-
NON, but We have it on no less authority than
John Looney. the warm personal defender and
Supporter Of the suspended chief, that the lat
Mysr can remain away from the department to
me end Of the present administration and then
inter claim on the city clerk for his full back
alary. Looney is a lawyer and probably knew
xHhereof he spoke when he said his favorite
Aehief OF police would have just claim against
he city Of Rock Island, NO matter whether he
at In another days service as head of the
olice department or not. The fact that the
Teuspended chiefs legal champion is now a
Eengtive from justice would in no sense effect
Nthe legality of his claim against the city for
Ndeierred salary payments. If Mr.. Cox is en-
titled under the law To receive salary without
aesrvice the bill should and doubtless will be
spaid when the time comes.
s So 1t is only natural that the people. wish
ing that economy be practiced by their oficials,
Aoould be little inquisitive concerning the
attitude of Mayor H. M. Schriver. Cox as chief
sef police. was answerable to the fire and police
eoard and not to the mayor. But when the
mayor removed the fire and police board Cox
Sas left high and dry and out of danger of an
Investigation such as was in prospect when the
ssxecutive of the city jumped into the breach
20 keep the searchlight of the police depart
Ment Mayor Schriver has been trying for
weeks to secure three men to accept appoint
aent as members Of the fire and police board.
ought to be convinced by now that he is
aver going to be able to induce three citizens
~ Rock Island who would have the brass to
aesolve and rsinstate Thomas Cox as chief of
1olice in view of the revelations produced BY
~ enforcement Of the laws in the city in re-
mt weeka
All Thomas Cox will never be returned to the
Qndeftancy of the Rock Island police depart
3,ent Therefore he is not entitled to draw SAL
~ from the city for service he will not
xender. II Thomas Cox continues his present
letal status at the city hall to the end of the
nehriver administration and enforces his claim
81 back salary upon the municipality the re-
e1onsibility Tor that imposition will rest upon
~ shoulders Of Mayor Schriver. Mayor
1hriver owes more to the taxpayers of Rock
md than he owes to Thomas Cox Mayor
lhriver has NO right to make it possible for
11omas Cox to take from the city treasury
D9ney that he does not earn. And Mayor
SeAriver is party to such an arrangement
vAen he fails to expedite an investigation that
WI determine legally the official status Of
1nomas Coz, suspended chief of police
s&SThe people Of Rock Island are insisting that
~ nre and police board that Mayor Schriyer
s1nmarfly dismissed be recalled and permitted
eEnnfsh the Investigation Of Chief Cox and the
Lice department that it had decided to begin.
- alternative that will relieve Mayor Schriver
q fhe resignation Of Thomas Cox as chief OF
ice. The people of Rock Island are in no
0ne Of mind to unprotestingly accept any
her camoudasing on the part of the city
majority.