The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-07-12
DITHMER MAKES
PEACE OFFERING
TOMAYOR SHANK
C, of C. President Expresses
Regret at Harrison
Controversy,
Controversy

Hope that the city administration
and the Chamber of Commerce shall
continue to work in harmony" is
expressed by Henry L. Dithmer,
Chamber president, in a letter today
to Mayor Samuel Lewis Shank.
The letter expresses regret over a
controversy between the mayor and
Leonard V. Harrison, head of the
chamber civic affairs department.
Shank ordered city hall-employes to
halt cooperation with Harrison, after
the chamber expert criticised the po-
lice department in a talk before the
Kiwanic Club.
Dithmer's letter, in part:
Dear Sir:
Your recent letter commenting on the
address of Mr.. Harrison delivered before
the Kiwanis Club of this city was duly re-
ceived and the same has had my careful
attention.
deeply regret that any word of Mr..
Harrison or any official action OF the
Chamber of Commerce has been interpreted
by you as an unfair criticism upon your
administration as mayor. or as an un-
warranted criticism of the Indianapolis po-
lice force.
1t is certainly not the function nor the
intention of the Chamber OF Commerce TO
md fault or 10 crltlclse any phase OF the
government or civic condition OF indian
apolis merely for the sake of criticism
Our object Mr.. Mayor. and yours are to
help to make our city a better city IN
every respect. In this worthy work. we
have had your cooperation IN the past and
We sincerely trust we shall have your help
and cooperation in the future.
With reference to the particular oblec-
lions referred TO in your letter. there may
be both misunderstanding and legitimate
ground for honest difference of opinion
the official report of Mr. Harrison and the
action thereon by the Chamber OF Com
merce. which represent our attitude rela-
tive to the police department. While
do not adopt the role of critic neither do
I apologize for nor defend the remarks
which Mr.. Harrison made in a meeting not
held under the auspices OF the Chamber
However. it is fair for me to say that
I was present at that meeting and heard
the address in full. and. making due al
livery OF any public speaker. am sure
Of you had been present and had heard
not only the address but the way in which
IL was delivered, you would have found
very little TO really object to.
The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce
is composed. as you know, OF several
thousand of the best and most public
spirited citizens of our city. and some
six or seven hundred OF these members
are spending great deal OF their time
and thought without money and without
city in every respect
While il is a matter of only minor i'm
po-tance as compared with the big Ques-
tiOns that confront not only the city ad-
ministration but the Indianapolis Chamber
OF Commerce I feel that I should say that
your informant is quite in error as TO Mr.
HarrisOn's compensation.
Referring again to the address OF Mr.
Harrison before the Kiwanis Club. 1t
should be said that the one real and vital
topic there. presented and elaborated was
the necessity of adopting the merit system
IN determining the promotions OF men on
the police force.
am sure that ali Of US in our best mo-
ments, when entirely uninfuenced by the
pressing demands Of partisan politics.
viii agree that unless such promotions are
based solely on merit. discipline will be
necessity he weakened. and II a ranking
officer of today has no assurance that. re-
gardless of merit or ability. he may be de
mcted tomorrow. the greatest incentive for
considerations performance of duty<eis re-
moved.
But, Mr. Mayor. ny purpose in writing
this letter is not to discuss any particular
municipal question. but 10 express my re-
greet that any misunderstanding or fiction
may have arisen between you and the
Chamber of Commerce. and TO further ex
press the hope that we shall continue to
work in harmony il all things affecting the
prosperity and growth Of our beautiful
and beloved city
Yours very sincerely.
HENRY L. DTTEMER.
President