Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1925-10-23
TALK BY PAUL 1ST BAPTIST
CHURCH OCTOBER 18TH


they speak and act for themselves.
| favor the strict enforcement of
all our laws and the stricter the
enforcement the better it suits me
But 1 do not approve of the en-
ployment of stool pigeons and peo.
pie of the underworld in such ell
forcement. l believe our laws can
be enforced decently, honestly
and in straight forward business
way, with highly respected sworn
officers of the law, without resort
ing to stool pigeons. Our consti.
tuition provides a Prosecuting Al
torney's office for the prosecution
of law violators and likewise a
Sheriff's office for the apprehen-
sion and detention of law viola.
tors, and there should be no con-
flict of authority-neither should
the taxpayers be asked to pro
vide funds for two department.
for one and the same purpose.
| do not approve Of one elective
officer belittling and discreditine
his brother officers, as our prose
cutor did before the Bulge
Board. Such utterances destroy
much needed cooperation between
law enforcement officers. AS q
public officer l concede the right
to the humblest citizen in our
county to criticise my every off
cial act, but l resent the charge or
inference that / am in collusion
with the liquor and gambling in
terests. The Prosecutor is a pub
lie officer, and / as a taxpayer
and public official reserve the
right to criticise his public acts
and utterances and no apologies
should be necessary.
I will speak plainly and from
the records.
Please note my figures and re-
ferences and check as to accuracy.
The manner Of the expending Of
this fund in the past forms my
main justification for not voting
special funds for the Prosecutor
First, transcript showing un
lawful acts of one Ragsdale who
has hersay reputation as an ex
gambling house proprietor from
Montana. Thomas P. Ragsdale a
so-called Investigator or stool pig
con for the Prosecuting Attorneys
office. This man was arrested by
Deputy Sheriff Harrihan on the
Bothell Highway after a collision
and charged with driving an auto
while under the influence of liquor
and after considerable delay he
was brought to trial and found
guilty as charged, by Judge Dal-
ton, on February 6, 1925, the same
being cause No. 11246 and was
sentenced to sixty days in the
county jail, and fine Of $50 in
cluding costs imposed, and his
license to operate a motor vehicle
forfeited for the period of one
year. The cause was appealed to
the Superior Court and thereafter.
on the 23rd day of April, 1925,
the case was dismissed by Judge
Ronald at the request of the Pro
scouting Attorneys office. The
record shows that this man re-
turned to work for the prosecu-
tors on February 7, the day follow
ing his conviction and sentence
and drew public funds for services
and expenses as follows: From
February to May, 1925, the sum Of
$599.60, with a total from January
! to October l, this year, Ragsdale
drew from the Prosecutor spec.
ial service fund the sum Of $l14S..
80.
Second, N. J. Sero an investiga,
tor and stool pigeon for the Prose,
cutting Attorneys office. This man
was arrested on the Oath day Of
August, 1925, in Helena, Montana
on complaint of his wife, charged
with being intoxicated and beat
ing his own child. This can b,
verified by a transcript of State vs.
VS.. Sammish, and also the State VS.
Johnoff, where the testimony wa.
fully brought out The records
show that he drew from this same
special prosecutors fund from
April to October, 1925, the sum o.
$537.26.
Third, Ed Lopnski and l. Emer
son, two other stool pigeons ant
Investigators for the Prosecutor
were arrested October, 3, 1925, be
ing jointly charged with drunken
and disorderly conduct, and in ad
dition thereto with the stealing o