The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-20
BY PAUL Comfy FRENCH
United Press Stan Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA, March 20. -
Shortly after a resolution demand
ing an investigation into the legal
ity of police raids under Director
, of Public Safety Lemuel B. Schofeld
was tabled in council, police raided
thirty-five homes in the Italian Sec
ton Of West Philadelphia.
Hundreds Of gallons of home
made wine were confiscated and
the owners arrested.
The same evening, Captain Rey-
nolds and a plainclothes patrolman
Of the Germantown district, con-
Quoted a raid on the parish house
Of the fashionable Protestant Epis-
copal church Of st. Peters in Ger
mantoWn.
James Taylor, assistant superin-
tendent Of police, who was formerly
inspector in charge of the liquor
raiding squad, explained that Cap
tain Reynolds had searched the
parish house as result of an
anonymous telephone tip that it was
being used as drop" for a no
VA @SAS hODgAC6SCAs
Lashed by Coach Roper
Taylor said it was a. regrettable
incident and that the sooner it
was forgotten the better it would
be-" Councilman Roper demanded
that the safety director appear be-
lore council for questioning.
Scnofield appeared and nonchal-
antly took verbal laShing from
the burly Princeton coach and
whitehaired Charles B. Hall, for
mer president of council, and now
floor leader of the organization.
Roper charged that police made
raids without evidence of a sale,
issued warrants on anonymous tele-
phone calls, issued blank search
and seizure warrants, used false
affidavits Of purchase of liquor,
seized liquor under pretense of
looking for fugitives," nistreated
residents during the course of raids
and stole from the homes during
raids.
He demanded the resignation of
the director. Schofeld refused.
Director Schofield has saved the
city from the racketeers which con-
trol Chicago and New York" Mayor
Mackey said. "He has made mis-
takes in enforcing the state liquor
laws, but is doing his duty"
Racketeers Driven Out
The mayor declared that Schofield
has, in two and half years, trans
formed Philadelphia from a city
with police bureau shot full Of
graft and corruption into one of the
best policed cities in the country.
When Schof1eld became director
he organized the motor bandit pa
troll, which is considered RESPONSE
bic for the capture of hundreds of
bandits and auto thieves and was re-
sponsible for the rapid disappear
snce Of the beer gangs.
Then he started a drive on gam
bling and disorderly houses and di-
rected his men to drive them from
the city. He ordered his men to
break up the cleaning and dyeing
racket, which was taking thousands
Of dollars from legitimate business.
He's Tough on Saloons
When magistrates showed leni-
ency toward those having political
influence, Schof1eld himself went
before them and demanded why the
accused persons had been dismissed.
During the course of his enforce
ment Of the blue laws, 1,722 persons
we're arrested the first six months.
Automobile thefts we're reduced over
1929 by nearly 25 per cent, and the
city became so dry that thirsty
Philadelphians we're forced to jour-
ney across the river to Camden, N.
j., for their beer.
In August of 1928, when the grand
Jury commenced their investigation,
the city had 1877 saloons, but now,
according to Superintendent Mills,
there are CrlV eleven left.