The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-07
BLOCKING POLICE
INVESTIGATION.


@s1,ommissioner Frank WITCH has changed his
hid. That is his privilege and his right, both
= priyate citizen and as public official. But
Nken he alters his attitude as public oniclai
II people have right to ask questions and to
3 1HSect explanations. Commissioner WITCH has
attributed to the defeat OF two attempts made
Il. commissioner Rudgren to clear up the
nprky situation in the Rock Island police de-
partment brought about. by the suspension OF
Tbomas Cox as head of the department. Com
mtssioner WITCH voted against the first resoiu-
con to reinstate the three deposed members OF
In fire and police board because of his admits
ia opposition to one of those men, the name OF
vhpm he failed to mention at the meeting OF
tho city council at which the first resolution OF
Commissioner Rudgren was offered, and which
VI lost by vote of three to two, WITCH stick
i inH to the original combination with Mayor
Schriver and Commissioner Fitzsmmons, Com
missioner Murrin joining in the affirmative
Wing with the author of the resolution. Com
missioner WITCH explained at that meeting that
= iE=fhe names Of proposed members Of the fire
md police board were presented separately he
would acquiesce IN the effort to get the ,tangle
iHs4he police department Strengthened out.
commissioner Rudgren accommodated Com
missioner WITCH at yesterdays meeting of the
city council by presenting the name of Edward
Bauersfeld in resolution appointing him to
complete his unexpired term as a member of
the fire and police board. Mr.. Bakersfield had
served one year Of his three-year term when
he was summarily dismissed by Mayor Schriver
on the eve Of an investigation of Chief Thomas
Cox. Commissioned Witch yesterday voted
+ aHainst the appointmentsof Mr.. Bakersfield.
mere must be some reason for Commissioner
Wtch's opposition to Mr.. Bakersfield, and the
p6Alic has right to demand that he give that
r1nson, inasmuch as he had explained at a
H4yious meeting of the council that ne was
ready to vote favorably on separate nomina-
ttoas The citizens of Rock Island would have
confidence in Mr. Bakersfield as member of
thE fire and police board. Will Commissioner
WESh say tfAtMr. Bakersfield would not assist
iE.1n adjustment of the police department upset
tk3I would be satisfactory to the majority of
tkRscitizens Of Rock Island? Mr. WITCH should
not lose sight of the fact that he was chosen a
nfanber of the city government to represent
t6c@majority of the people OF Rock Island, and
meta few persons who do not favor full re-
yealment OF police department conditions.
The public is entirely satisfied with the man.
ner in which the police department is being
presently directed by Commissioner Fitzsim-
mons, but it does not approve of the status of
Thomas Cox, the suspended chief. Mr. Cox
hassrefused to resign as head Of the department
while he is under cloud. MIR. Cox is not to
be-blamed for defending himself Therefore it
mn4t be understood that he wants hearing
on-the charges involving himself and other
members Of the department. The Argus takes
the position that Mr.. Cox is entitled to hear
i1k.:and would like to see him have one. That
wnnad be the quickest way Of disposing of the
Whole matter. but The Argus has reason to be-
lieye that there never will be held such an in
vestagation of the police department as the pub
fora white wash
MI Cox expects to remain on the city pay
roiEfor the duration of the present adminstra-
tio4. He is not to be blamed for taking this
easy money The chief of police is appointed
by the fire and police board. He IL answerable
sto-the police board for his official acts He is
not answerable to the mayor or the city attor-
n4-
The truth of the situation is that Mr.. Cox
couducted the police department in accord
aree with the administration policy created by
Mayor Schriver and City Attorney Scott The
fr4=and police board could not discipline the
MAYOR or city attorney for alleged irregular
itisE in the police department 1t had to place
thNE.rcsponsblity on the shoulders Of its own
apQuintee That appointee is Thomas Cox An
in1zAftial investigation would show that Mayor
Sc6xver and City Attorney Scott at least had
knuE ledge Of conditions in Rock Island that
fesa3ted in the suspension Of Chief Cox and
i tUced suppression of an officially protected
nnaefworld.
Mayor Schriver and City Attorney Scott will
aDt publicly deny that they were unaware Of the
ricfOns moral status of Rock Island. OF
sourae they can shift whatever Official odium
.h4f-has arisen to the shoulders of Mr.. Cox.
But manifestly Mr.. Cox doesn't propose to ac-
eegt the buck Therefore Mr.. Cox is entrust-
ings 70 Mayor Schriver and Mr. Scott the i'm
possible task Of securing fire and police board
that will conduct an investigation satisfactory
70 the city administration. But an investiga-
Jon that would meet with approval of the adj
ministration might not meet with the endorse
ment Of the public. In fact The Argus is
raa ahn II INV carta;u that ~ vvonl6nsf