The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-02-04
BUTLER FINDS
BRASS HAT AN
AID IN REFORM
Forced to Fight Politics,
Crime in Philadelphia
Cleanup.
Following is the fourth article in the
series on General Butler.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent
lConvright- 1871. By United Pressl


United Press stan Correspondent
copyright. 1881 By United Press
WASHINGTON. Feb. 4.-General
Smediey Butler found the horrors
Of war we're nothing compared TO
those OF peace, as it was Waged in
the City Of Brotherly Love, when he
~otained leave from the marine
,-.-.ps to become director Of public
safety in Philadelphia.
When he returned from France he
was ASSIGNED to command the MAJ
rine base at Quantico, Va, and re-
NAMED in comparative calm there
until November, 1923, when the new
mayor-elect Of Philadelphia, w
Freeland Kendrick, sought him to
take charge of police and clean up
the city.
Butler replied You can't put
any reforms through because Bill
Ware (then congressman and head
Of the city Republican organization
won't have it."
Kendrick replied Il had it out
with Bill Ware. told him where he
gets off.
Obtains Years Leave
So, Butler. soldier of quarter
century, obtained a years leave and
went to Philadelphia to learn
that fighting Boxers in China was
mere childs play.
He spoke his establishment two
years later
/ was selected to be smoke
screen. The politicians we're pur-
chasing my reputation, gained in
twenty eight years Of service as
marine. l didn't know it then.
do now"
He went at the job in marine
fashion He stormed the intrench-
ments of vice and corruption in the
same rough-handed way he leaped
through that breach in the fortress
wall in Haiti. He demanded 100
armored cars, and finding police
pistols rusty, plugged up and car
ried inaccessibly under heavy over
coats, he ordered new revolvers to
be strapped outside on Sam Browne
belts and to be used to kill. =
He changed untidy uniforms into
more soldierly ones, shifted 400 cap
tains and got 1000 arrests in one
week.
Touring the streets in an auto
mobile, Butler found police Off
GERS sitting in warm station houses
instead Of walking their beats. He
then would call out to his assistant,
Take his name, George" Every
time a negligent officer was spot
ted-va phrase which became part of
the Philadelphia language in a
week.
Puts on Brass Hat
II knew what was needed" But
Ter said later. Il put On a brass
hat and made a lot of noise, for if
was to remain in Office for a short
period even, the imagination and
curiosity OF the people had to be
aroused.
Tt was drive, drive, drive, and
raid, raid raid Speakeasies,
saloons. disorderly houses, gambling
dens. all were raided. 1 wanted
to show the underworld that The
police meant business. To the
police. my order was-clean up the
city in forty eight hours or get out.
Alone and unarmed, Butler
cruised the tenderloin at night on
foot. There were plenty of threats
but he was not attacked. He ar
rested employees of the two lead
ing hotels, the Ritz Carlton and the
Bellevue Stratford, on charges of
Bookkeeping.
Political clubs were raided. Gam
bling and vice profits which found
their way into political hands be-
gan to be cut. Mutterings were
heard, first at the bottom and then
higher up.
Raids on cabarets in which prom
inent politicians were financially
interested proved too much. Pres
sure began.
Aids PoIiceman'S Widow
Butler fought interfering poll
ticians on one side, while on the
other he abored to increase the
loyalty and efficiency of his police
force.
The police beneficiary association
had a deficit and widows were not
getting badly needed money. Base
ball benefit games were organized.
Butler was catcher for several in
nings in one game.
Another game was cancelled be-
cause of rain so Butler took $4,000
back marine pay which happened
to come to him about that time and
gave it to the widow of police
man. He said the suggestion came
from his wife.
THE misSus certainly uncorks
splendid idea now and then" But
Ter said.
The politicians were haraSSing
the mayor to shut down on Butler.
Also some other influences. highly
respectable, we're beginning to reach
out restraining hands in velvet
gloves.
Next: Butler and the Best
People"
AtI0C CAEETY P0APN