Ogden Standard-Examiner | 1920-06-30 | Page 14 | Chinese Resent Raids Call on City Officials Ketchum 'Mayor's' Pal

I Chinese Resent Raids , Ca"6n 'City Offjciah Ketcfaum 'Mayor's' Pal I . vCrying persecution and that they aro innocent victims of suspicion of the Ogden police department, a delegation ot Chinese, headed by Charlie Sloan, so-called "mayor of Chinatown," appeared ap-peared before Mayor Frank Francis and the board of city commissioners this morning' and complained of tho rough tactics employed by tho officers offi-cers in breaking down the doom during dur-ing a raid upon a Chinese store at 1Mb 5 Grant avenue last week. The celestials also complained that the officers procured $300 in cash during dur-ing the raid and asked thai the money be returned to ihem. Mayor Francjs explained that the money was being safely held as evidence In the case and they need not worry over its return. re-turn. The members of the delegation were bitter against the police officers who participated in the raid and were rot backward in saying so. However, they were given a snnrp jolt when ?Inyor Francis, took the floor and explained ex-plained his stand in the matter. j 3Iayor Takes Stand. j "The place which was raided," said Mayor Francis, "has been notorious for years and gambling "has been carried car-ried on in the Chinese quarters. In the past the police offlcei-s have, pcr-' pcr-' haps, been slightly overlooking infrac-j lions of the law. "As far as I am. concerned I willi not be found lacking In support of the! i police forco in clearing out festering1 sores in this community." I Mayor Francis explained that he' was not employing .tactics of going' about inquiring as to what is taking-place taking-place in private homes and other so-' eluded places, but he was committed. In the linholdhur nf tho In.w tn thf I extent of bringing to an end any gam-j I bling in which victims are being in- veigled and their money being taken away by professional gamblers. Tho mayor intimated that gambling, in his opinion, was being carried on in tiie Chinese store or the police office j would not have used the tactics they employed. I 1 In cases whero gambling Is being I conducted by professionals, he de- dared It was necessary that thq of fi-I fi-I ccra employ unusually stern methods I in order to obtain the necessary ei-j donee to gain convictions. He explain-' ( ed that if officers waited until the doors were opened to them they would I have but allm chances of obtaining any evidence that games were being conducted I Orders Investigation.. I J. "Ray Ward, commissioner of pub- j lie safety, told the Chinese he would order a full investigation of tho nffalr nnd would take the matter of the return re-turn of the $300 up with the board of commissioners at a later date. In order that the Chinese might be given a thorough understanding of the action taken by the police. City Attorney Attor-ney Wade Johnson was called In. lie said tljat mere suspicion that gambling lis being conducted does not justify of-j of-j ficcrs in breaking down rtoors, but i that he realised that officers took I chances and did unusual things, ful-lly ful-lly believing in their Judgment, and feeling they were pursuing the proper course. ; Mr. Johnson advised that in this particular case the circumstances be tnoroughly in estlgatcd and if any injustice in-justice has been done there be full j reparation. j During his talk Charlie Sloan explained ex-plained that the Chinese were arrested arrest-ed while in the basement of a store , where his friend conducts the sale of i rice and tea. j Heavily Barred, i Mayor Francis called his attention , to the fact that the windows and doors !of the basement were heavily barred and .asked why so much protection be , given such a place. I "Keep lots rice, tea in cellar. Afraid I robber." Charlie answered. Sloan oxplalned that he was not so muqh . . Incensed over the destroyed property as he was over the reflection cast upon him and his friends in being caught in a raid. "Ketchum old Chinee Chi-nee friend come visit me all wav from ; Park City," Charlie said, "lie caught in raid too. He my guest. Make mei feel like h 1."