Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1924-04-28
INVESTIGATION
IS PROMISED
Chief Tonnesen Takes Up the
Matter of Immoral Dances
with Police Officers

Having no jurisdiction over the
different companies as far as social
events are concerned, Fire Chief
John Campbell was unable today to
confirm or deny the story told by
Monsignor William P. Cantwell at
st. Mary's church yesterday about
immoral entertainments being
staged in this city by different fire
companies.
The chief has jurisdiction over the
different companies at the scene OF
a fire. but as far as activities at the
respective firehouses or public events
are concerned, he has no right to
interfere. He did not hear until
yesterday. he declared about the re-
port that entertainments where nude
women performed. had been pre-
sented in this ,ity within a stones
| throw of St. Mary's church. Centre
and Mechanic streets.
1t is a known fact that each of th'
! fire companies have social even
in connection with their annual elec
i tion of officers. but it is impossible
| to say just what class of entertain
ment is presented at these affairs.
The fire ch eff has intimated tina
he will take u with the proper au-
thorities the necessary action to see
that shows as referred to by Mon
signor Cantwell are not repeated in
this city as far as the members OF
the fire companies are concerned.
The fire committee of the board OF
aldermen have direct authority over
the fire department. the chief point
ed out.
Chief to Investigate
An investigation of the story told
by Mgr. Cantwell yesterday in re-
gard to the exhibition of immoral
dances at smokers in this city was
promised by Police Chief Niels j.
Tonnesen this morning.
The police chief first heard of
Mgr. Cantwell's sermon following
his arrival at the station house this
morning. A member of the depart
ment who had heard the sermon was
talking TO another department men,
Der and the attention of the chief
was attracted by the exchange of
words.
When asked about the smoker
within a stones throw of St. Mary S
church." he said, that's the first
I've heard about the matter" 1t Is
understood that he plans to question
the sergeants and other members of
the department as to whether they
heard anything about an affair OF
that kind on the night in question
or on the street since the staging OF
the show.
In regard to the report that smok-
ers of this kind are being put on one
after the other by the fire compa-
nies of this city. the chief intimated
that he did not think the f1remen
would be guilty of the offense-
The chief made it plain that had
he heard of the affair he would have
raided the place and would have
been ready TO answer for any wrong
doing after the raid had been made.
Many other members of the depart
ment took a somewhat similar stand
following the preaching of the SER
mon yesterday morning.
II is likely that Chief Tonnesen
will direct a personal investigation
to learn just what companies are
said to have put on the affairs,
where they were held and other
particulars in regard TO the same,
He is determined TO learn the truth.
Mgr. Cantwells story is TO the ef-
feet that one affair was staged dur
ing Holy Week. five days before
Easter, and that another was put on
In the same hall by another fire
company on a Sunday night about
a month or two before.
''If these affairs have been going
on, let the sermon yesterday be
warning enough to those who have
been running them. We win raid
any place where such affairs are re-
ported and will take in entertainers
and spectators" the chief said, and
it will be too late for excuses then"
Mayor William c. Wilson this
morning said that the information
contained in Monsignor Cantselfs
sermons yesterday was absolute
news to him. The city's chief
executive said he knew nothing
about the affair although he has
since been told that a letter was
sent to both himself and the Board
of Aldermen. inviting them to at
tend as guests of the firemen. The
Continued oa Page p
Work i'm Mamie Street