The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-05
REAL PROBLEMS
FACED BUTLER
IN VICE DRIVES
Lack of Support, Hostility
Of Business Leaders
Greet Crusade.
Following Is the hfth article in a series
about General smedley Butler.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press STAFF Correspondent
LConvrleht. 1921 hu IIniicd prr..1


WASHINGTON. Feb. 5.-Aftei
about six months in PHILADELPHIA
General Smedley Butler concluded
That many of the best people" were
standing behind him in his fight
long way behind him.
Bankers we're against crime, but
when Butler removed the policemen
who we're doing duty as guards in
side their banks and forced them to
hire their own private guards there
Wss complaint.
He shifted traffic policemen, al
leging many of them had become
friendly with wealthy men, who
gave them large tips for permitting
regular violations of traffic rules.
Butler claimed the Chamber OF
Commerce refused to support his
war on vice on the ground it had
affected the hotel business by caus-
ing statesmen to avoid Philadelphia
over week lends because liquor
couldn't bought in hotels.
Courtesy Cards Demanded
There are no fighting parsons in
Philadelphia" Butler complained at
the end of his experience. "All
seemed afraid of the money sup
pliers"
He said a prominent civic figure,
arrested for speeding, appealed to
be let off and when Butler declined,
a magistrate excused the man.
A world-renowned philanthopist,
Butler says, insisted upon having a
courtesy card which would enable
him to park his car anywhere.
"Philadelphia's leading banker,
one of the wealthiest men in Amer
lea, appealed to me personally sew
eral times to renew such card for
him" Butler said. "He had car
ried one for many years. Refused,
he cooled"
Butler said pillars Of the church
and society often had liquor in their
homes, drank in public and served
1t at dinner dances given for their
children in Philadelphia hotels.
Governor for Him
Governor Pinchot was for him
and some civic organizations and
the church members in numerous
instances supported him.
His leave was extended for an
other year. Bickering increased.
Often he and the mayor were not
speaking. There was constant fric-
ton.
Butler continued to fight in spec
tacular fashion. He moved a cot
into city hall to be available for
sudden night calls.
Finally the mayor threatened dis
missal. Butler says Kendrick ac-
cused him of bounding the big
hotels. Toward the end of his sec
ond year, Butler was pressing to
paddock the Ritz-Carlton and to re-
woke the license of the Bellevue
Stratford. He wanted to stay on,
while the Philadelphia politicians
wanted to get rid Of him.
The fight was carried to the
White House and President Cool
idge declined to extend Buffers
leave. Butler told the press he in
tended to resign from the marine
corps and continue in Philadelphia.
He had been appointed to four
year term.
Mayor Kendrick requested his
resignation and when Butler de-
layed, issued an order of immediate
dismissal.
Holdups Are Reduced
Leaving Office to return to the
marines, Butler claimed he had re-
duced holdups from three a day to
one every three days, and other
crime to lesser extent.
Il believe Philadelphia wants to
be cleaned up he said, mot en-
tirely, but just enough to appear
respectable"
Just before his dismissal, a civic
group sought to arrange for presen-