Wicked New York

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 8, 21 December 1925, Page 5

Wicked New York

Another Vice Investigation PLANS FOR MORAL CLEAN-UP. A CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION. [By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.] [Received 21, 9.50 a.m.) New York, Dec. 20. v olice Commissioner IJjjright has ordered every police official and constable to participate in a thorough investigation of vice conditions in the city following an exchange of correspondence in which the Mayor-elect, Mr. Walker charged the’ Hyians administration with purposely overlooking the revival of unhampered gambling, prostitution, and kindred evils recently, expecting thereby to leave n discreditable and unsavoury legacy to Mr. Walker when ho assumes office. Mr. Walker’s adherents contend that the investigation will bo merely a political gesture returning m clean bill of health, since the police will investigate their own alleged laxity. A conference between Mr. Walker. Governor Smith, and Juago Olvany. the Tammany Hall leader, regarding tho choice of a now jxflice commissioner. is expected to include plans involving tho most drastic vice-clean-ing in 20 years. Mr. Walker,is expiected to counteract immediately the assumption that since he favours the sporting element supervision will bo lax. Furthermore, it is believed that Governor Smith’s identification with the moral clean-up might further his presidential candidature in 1928. While tho city is stirred over the vice investigation, prominent clergymen, jurists, and publicists hold a meeting tn consider the crime wave, its causes and cures. Among tne former wore designated the failure of women to do their duty under equal suffrage, aliens, immigrants, improper education, police inadequacy tho laxity of punitive authorities and oversentimentalism in the administration of the prisons, the antiquated system of jurisprudence, the breaking-up of American homes, and prohibition. Speakers drew a parallel between Romo and New York, and av?rred that tho former’s fate would overtake this modern Babylon unless its people return from selfishness and the lure of wealth.