The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-08-04
BUTLER IS
FULFILLING
PROMISES
Marine Police Chief Still on
Job Despite Bitter
Opposition.
BY RUTH FINNEY

4 1 A.
III is a rather sad commentary
- on American life that Gen.
Smedley D, Butler, Philadelphia
fighting public safety director
should be the corking good news
story that he undoubtedly is today
1t is the rare and unusual that
makes news. And the story in
General Butler consists of the fact
that here is man in public office
who actually means what he says!
General Butler, when invited las.
January to "clean up" Philadelphia,
said that he would do it. There was
little news in that to those who
didn't know the man. Others had
said thu same thing.
But now, seven months later, in
spite IF the fact that he is not
candidate for President or any other
office III the exciting election year,
Butler is one Of the most talked OF
men in the United States.
And simply because he is doing
what he said he would do!
May Be First Again
Philadelphia. which boasts that It
had the first bank in the United
States, the first mint, the first build
ing and loan association, the first
theater, the first public school, is ap-
parently on its way to add another
to its list Of glories and become
the first American city to have
police department divorced from
protection" and free politics.
Who knows? Maybe 1t will also
be the only city ever able to make
such boast. For the story Of Phila-
delphias purity is the story OF Gen
eral Butler and Butler says he will
never undertake to clean up another
city.
Just what chance has Butler to
survive. lighting single-handed and
alone the powerful politicians of the
third largest city in the United
States?
We'll" says Butler, you see I'm
still here. That's something. What
is more, I am going to be here until
am fired"
He is right about the significance
Of still holding his position. II they
had dared, the men behind Mayor
Kendrick would have had his scalp
ten days ago.
Firmly Entrenched
But they didn't dare. and Butler
has emerged from the recent conflict
more firmly entrenched than ever in
the affections of the people of Phila-
delphia. The people understand
clearly now that this cleanup Of
their city is going 10 last Just so long
as Butler lasts and no longer. They
are behind him to an amazing de-
gree.
Therefore until the. tickle public
grows tired Of its newest idol, Smed-
ley Butler Is pretty apt to keep his
position in the Philadelphia city hall
at least for the year he is under
contract.
appointed Butler. is up against.
Kendrick has been backed in his
political career by congressman VII
liam S. Ware, political heir Of Boies
Penrose, and by Charles Hall, presi-
dent of the city council, and veteran
in local politics. After his election
six months ago on a pledge to take
the police department out of politics
he asked President Coolidge to loan
him General Butler from the Marine
Corps to do this.
But Butler. once installed, found
Hall and Ware men In the police de-
partment obstructing his cleanup
He denoted those OF them who held
office and shifted others to new beats
until he got an organization that
could be depended upon TO carry out
his orders. Then a few days ago he
started redistrcting the city so that
police districts and wards would not
have identical boundaries.
That was too much for the startled
and panied politicians. 1t broke their
power like so many straws. There
were rumors that Butler would be
fired Immediately.
Mayor Can Fire Him
Mayor Kendrick is the one man
who can fire Butler. His city coun-
Gil is threatening. according to
rumor, that unless he does so, there
will be no money forthcoming for
his construction program. That is
hard, for Congressman Ware, Ken.
bricks Machiavelli, owns con-
tracing business which has always
spent a large part of its time doing
construction work for the city.
On the other hand, Kendrick
knows the people remember his
sweet sounding promises for clean
police department and are thorough
'ly sold on the idea that the only
means of attaining this is Butler!
And Butler won't take hint and
depart peaceably. He'll fight, and
he'll call the people to his side II
he's fired!
It's not nice position for a man
said to entertain gubernatorial as
pirations.
It's apt to take Kendrick some
time to figure out whether he can
afford to ALLEVIATE either OF the two
warning factions. Consequently,
Philadelphia is apt to remain at
least until Buffers year Of leave
from the Marine service has ex-
pired.