New Britain herald., 1927-06-01
NEW HAVEN SEEN
 AS AN EVIL CITY
Clergyman Repeats Charges to
 Police Board

New Haven. June l R = With nearly 1000 persons listening. the Rev. Franklin J. Kennedy. pastor of the First Methodist church. appear ed before the police board here last night and endeavored to prove charges he made in a sermon recent ly that New Haven is lawless city.
 Although most of his replies to questions asked by Mayor John B. Tower. President John B. Kennedy and other members of the police board were in general terms, the pastor became specific at times and reiterated his charges that the law is being openly violated in New Ha- ven. He declined to supply the commissioners with the names of his informers on the ground that the information had come to him in con- tidence. These charges and stories. he said, came from men high in bus mess and professional circles. from mothers. from high school teachers, from police officers and from many other sources.
 Accuses Police
 During the course of his state- mont to the commission. the Rev. MT. Kennedy handed Chief Philip r. Smith a ticket of admission 10 a certain club house where !ntoNi- cants could be purchased, and de- clared that he had been informed that the club was operated by and the liquor sold by police officers. He asked the chief to take action upon the place in question.
 Had the police commissioners come to him the day after he had delivered the sermon. he said. he might easily have been convinced he may have concluded wrongly in some of his utteranees. but with all of the information which had been given to him since that time he de- clared he felt that his opinion had been justified.
 The clergyman had prepared 300 printed copies of the sermon which attracted such wide attention and these were passed out to those near est the commissioners table. He said he had und estimated the crowd which attended or otherwise he would have been more prepared.
 T am here to answer your ques- tions," the Rev. Mir. Kennedy said, but first would like to know what sort of evidence you seek. Do you want me to give you the sort of evi- h., -.h toh will ho al get out warrants, or do you want me to answer your questions as a minis- ter who takes statements which real ly amount to confessions, in conf1- dence. and as resident of New Ha- ven who reads the daily press and looks about him, and forms his own conclusions?
 Commissioner Kennedy replied that the inferential statements made in the sermon had reflected serious ly upon the administra tion of the po- lice department and that the board wants to know the basis of the state- menta.
 'I am not detective" said the Rev. Mir Kennedy. T speak from knowledge obtained by living in New Haven and by listening to the con- fidences of many people,
 His sermon, he said. concluded that we are living in one of the most iawless cities of all time and gave three reasons to believe the police were not doing their duty. Il gave them . picture of lawless condi- tions," he continued, "and these con- ditions arc universal. ask you if in that sermon you find anything against public policy"
 Commissioner Kennedy replied that he had, as when any public ut terance undermines the confidence Of the citizens in the administration of it's police service, that is very seri- ous matter.
 Tn your sermon" said the con- missioner, you say that illicit and law defying trade is carried on in New Haven. Are you willing to give us the causes which led you to make this sweeping statement?"
 Saturdays Raids
 | clergyman replied. ito this evenings paper which publishes list Of places visited Saturday night by fed ,ral pro- hibition agents. You must under stand that the federal man must se- cure evidence first. then obtain search warrants and later make fur ther raids and obtain more evidence before they can secure a conviction. When 60 strangers can come into New Haven and do this I believe there is ample justification that the condition did exist and that 1t was known to every one.'
 Commissioner Kennedy pointed out that with the daily influx of people from surrounding towns the popula tion of the city is around 210.00o and that there are $50 men on the police force. Consequently he de- clared, there are limitations to the jobs.
 The Rev. Mir. Kennedy then men toned two of the cafes raided Sat urday night and asked the commis- sioners If they cared to go on record as saying that they did not know those places were violating the law.
 Chief Smith replied that the places had been looked into at other times and that arrests had been made pre- viously
 Road Houses Terrible
 My conviction" the Rev. MT. Kennedy said. "is that the road house condition in and near New Haven has reached a terrible stage. !, Lanp