Evening journal., 1922-04-19
WOMEN Urge
CLEANUP OF
blind Pigs"
CONTINUED from First page)

and Franklin streets; and Mrs. A. d.
Sergeant Seventh and Broome
streets.
Mrs. Reed prefaced her remarks
by referring TO the published state
ments regarding the failure OF the
Department OF Public Safety TO en-
force its own ruling that all police
or firemen found guilty OF being in
toxioated should be summarily dis
missed. She declared that condi-
lions regarding drunkenness at this
time in Wilmington are disgraceful
worse than they have been for some
time. and that ~ we could not de-
pend upon the policemen TO keep
sober we could not expect much OF
other people.
I'VE look TO the men IN blue uni
forms for safety. but a drunken
policeman can not be relied upon
for protection" said Mrs. Reed.
She declared that the foreign ele-
ment Is getting the upper hand IN
some sections OF the city and that
we should have the right 10 expect
the police TO clean up the city. but
II the police were permitted to get
drunk and escape with a slight
punishment Il was useless 10 expect
much OF them.
She declared that the sale OF
liquor ought 70 be a hanging matter
as the men engaged In the traffic
we're in reality robbing the people
while the police apparently are look
ing on and by their inactivity are
encouraging the business. She de-
clared that on numerous occasions
she had seen uniformed men coming
from these alleged "speakeasies.
and she felt convinced that they had
been in there for the purpose OF get
ling a drink.
Mrs Reed suggested that in view
OF the fact that a large number OF
homes In Browntown have well
stocked cellars Il might not be amiss
for the Department OF Public Safety
10 call upon the fremen who have
been making Inspections 10 tell the
police what they found in those Gel
lars Liquor Is brought here In suit
cases and by taxi from Philadelphia,
she declared. and n others could see
the daily streams OF liquor being
poured into Wilmington she could
not got the evidence
"You can not go by these places"
said Mrs. Reed, without smelling
the odor OF liquor The policemen
know what Is going on inside as
they are frequent visitors there.
Give our boys and girls a chance.
DO not let the foreign element run
us. The foreign element IS hand
ling liquor in this city. and I verify
believe there are few houses in
Browntown where the occupants are
not engaged in the manufacture Of
intoxicating liquors"
Superintendent Of Police Black
told Mrs Reed he did not believe
conditions here were as bad as they
are in other cities of the same size,
and assured Mrs Reed that the
police were doing all that they can
TO break up the traffic. He explain
ed in detail the manner in which
the Bureau of Police Is working %
secure evidence against these Of
tenders. and told OF a number OF
cases now under investigation
several Of which were among those
cited by Mrs. Reed.
Director Mcgear said he under
stood that conditions I'm Philadel-
phia and New York were far worse
than they are here. He said Il Is
possible 10 go into respectable places
In these two cities and sec men sit
ting around with bottles on the
tables. making no effort TO conceal
their actions. drinking.
President Smith. OF the Depart
ment. said this question (that OF
drunkenness among the policemen
has given him more worry than any
other question that has come before
the directors. He explained the
reasons for the failure Of the De-
partment TO carry out the order for
the dismissal OF the men on the
ground that in some cases there were
extenuating circumstances. In one
case TO which he referred. the man
admitted that he had been intoxi-
Gated while on duty, but this man
had a family depending on him FOR
support, had been a most exemplary
officer for a number OF years, and
as It was the policeman's first Of
fence he felt that the Department
was justified in It's action in giving
him another chance. He referred
to the action OF Director Wicker
sham. who had not concurred IN IN,
action Of the Department In these
cases. and said that the General had
stood by his guns"
Director Megear said he had
agreed with Mr.. Smith in that tbs
men should be given another op
portunity. I'VE should extend for
giveness where 1t Is merited," sale
Mr.. Megear. and extend helping
hand TO these men"
THE police work only eight hour
a day now" said Mrs. Reed. land
see no reason why they should no
properly attend to their work dur
ing that time"
Il agree with you on that point.
said Mr.. Smith.
Mrs. Reed again urged that tn
action Of the police largely depend
ed on the attitude Of the Depart
ment Of Public Safety IN its punish
ment for drunkenness. and declare,
that "a drunken policeman is NJ
safer than any other man." urgini
the Department to adm mister sucl
punishment as will tend 10 weed on
Of the force policemen who are II
the habit OF drinking Intoxicating
liquors.
Director Megear told OF al
article he had read in newsnapc
few days ago in which rcferenc
was made TO tho increased amour
o. crime in this country, and tn
large increase IN drunkenness. "Hoy
docs this COMPARE with the situatio,