The New 
 
 Chief of i olice 
 
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 ~-w 
 
 A Dramatic Exposure 
 
 of Modern Hypocrisy 
 BY 
 
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 1 
 1 
 
 I 
 
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 WALTER MONTAGUE 
 
 Copyright October 30. 1913. Class D. No. 34781 
 
 This playlet was first introduced at the Hippodrome Theater, 
 Los Angeles, Cl., the week of May 4th, 1914, and created a 
 sensation. It is a virile gripping story of social conditions as they 
 exist today. Published exclusively by The Monith Publishing 
 Company, 341 South Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
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 s^* 
 
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 1 
 
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 To tke Public 
 
 The Publishers feel that no apology is needed in presenting 
 this playlet to the public. We hold no brief for either side of 
 the question, but merely* place it before you, as a point of View 
 to accept or condemn as you choose. In order to meet the 
 demand of thousands of people who had no opportunity to see the 
 playlet, we ha^e secured the publishing rights from the Author, 
 Walter Montague, and offer it to you word for word as it was 
 played under his direction. 
 
 THE PUBLISHERS. 
 
 Respectfully Dedicated To 
 
 the host of good fellow's, of both sexes, who, while believing 
 in majority rule, feel that the minority have certain definite 
 rights, and who regret the lack of inteligence in these pseudo 
 reformers w"ho will not admit a middle ground but must rule 
 or ruin. 
 
 WALTER MONTAGUE. 
 
 NOTE. TKis playlet is fully protected by* copyright. The undersigned 
 vJill pay* a re-oJard of $25.00 for information that tCill lead to the arrest and con- 
 viction of any* person gi-Oing an unauthorized public performance of The NevJ 
 Chief of Police. 
 
 WALTER MONTAGUE, 
 
 209 Pantages Theater Building, 
 
 San Francisco, Cal.
 
 SKLfl 
 URfi 
 
 The New Chief of Police 
 
 A Story Taken From Life 
 
 BY . '* 
 
 WALTER MONTAGUE 
 
 S.CE.NE 
 
 An office of a chief of police. A desk C. with a swivel 
 chair. There is an entrance R. and L. U. The room to be 
 fitted up as an office. There is a chair down R. 
 
 CAST 
 
 Chief Saunders ,...jNewly Appointed 
 
 Dora. La Fere ^ ........A Society Bud 
 
 Joe Masters.....,, A Sailor 
 
 Mrs. De Witt Beecher. 
 
 President Women's Federated Clubs 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 (Discovered sitting at his desk C. He is in full uni- 
 form. The telephone bell rings at 1 ' rise. He answers it.) 
 
 Hello. (Pause.} 
 
 Who? Mrs. De Witt Beecher president of the 
 Women's Federated Clubs. 
 'All right send her up.' 
 
 (He hooks up the phone and retakes it off hook.)
 
 THE NEW CH1KP OF 
 
 Hello, Sergeant. This is the Ciii ''. Get that sailor out. 
 of the Bullpen, and have him sent up when I ring for 
 him. 
 
 (Hangs up phone.) 
 
 MRS. BEKCHKK 
 
 (Enters R. U. E. A 1,< ' <j ivoman, ivlio /.< 
 
 elegantly dressed, uses a lorgnette.) Good morning, Chief 
 Saunders. 
 
 Good morning, Mrs. De Witt Beecher- -won't you 
 be seated? (Waving her to a sot- R.) 
 
 MRS. BEKCHER 
 
 (Who sit*) 
 
 Thank you. I have called in my official capacity as 
 President of the Women's Federated Clubs,, to discuss 
 the latest outrage en one of o;^ young girls. 
 
 CHTW 
 Yes the man has been a 
 
 MRS. BKKGHKK 
 
 You are,. of course, a\var- that the uomeu of this city 
 are largely responsible for the election of the Mayor, 
 who appointed you Chief of PoH . \\ ith our approval 
 and are taking an active intenvl hi the enforcement of 
 the law.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 CHIEF 
 Yes, the women of this city are very active in politics. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 We have noticed, with a great deal of alarm, that 
 since we have closed the redlight district, that respectable 
 women and girls are being insulted on the street, almost 
 hourly, and we demand that immediate steps be taken 
 to suppress it. 
 
 CHIEF 
 By whom? 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 By the Police Department of course. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 May the department rely upon the co-operation of the 
 Women's Federated Clubs? 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 Most certainly why do you ask? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Because heretofore the women of this city have failed 
 to give us any real help, they have dealt only with 
 effects not cause. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 Why, Chief how dare you make such a statement?
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 We women have ought vice for four years; we have 
 closed every disreputable house in this city we have 
 driven those unspeakable women (Pause?} 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Yes you have driven these unspeakable women but 
 where have you driven them? (Pause.} 
 
 Pray don't hesitate my dear Mrs. De Witt Beecher; 
 where have you driven them? (Pause.} 
 
 You have driven them from the restricted district 
 all over the city. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 We have closed the brothels it is for the police to 
 see that they don't open again. A seaport with a popula- 
 tion of 350,000 without a redlight district is a record. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Yes, a record of inefficiency, and a monument to 
 ignorance. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 (Rises indignantly.) Chief Saunders! 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Yes crass ignorance. Since you have been given the 
 vote, you have taken upon yourself the settlement of 
 problems you do not understand. You have fought vice 
 yes ; in and out of season you have clamored for its sup- 
 pression ; but through ignorance wilful or otherwise 
 you have never raised a finger to remove the cause.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 That is not a fact. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Pardon me I state a truth. Not only have you good 
 women contributed to a low state of morals but you 
 refuse to aid the victims. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 I protest. In the name of the womanhood of this 
 State I protest. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 I will show you what I mean, in the case you have 
 come to see me about. I will prove to you that the women 
 in this city the good women the mothers of grown-up 
 daughters are partly responsible for the conditions they 
 complain of. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 How dare you make such a statement? It is a re- 
 flection upon the modesty of this young woman who was 
 so grossly insulted. 
 
 CHIEF 
 I mean it to be. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 She comes from one of our best families her char- 
 acter is above reproach.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 CHIEF 
 Granted but this sailor did not know that. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 She was dressed in the height of fashion couldn't 
 he tell from her appearance that she was a lady ? 
 
 CHIEF 
 No. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 (Horrified.) Chief Saunders! 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 It is true. This man has been in every port in the 
 world. His acquaintance with women has been restricted 
 to a certain class; he has no other means of judging a 
 woman, except from her appearance ; and had this young 
 woman, whose character you claim to be above reproach, 
 not suggested a woman of the Underworld, she would 
 never have been insulted. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 You forget yourself, Chief Saunders. You are insult- 
 ing the womanhood of this city. I will not listen to any 
 more. (Starts to exit.) 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 (Stops her.) You must stay, Madam. You cannot 
 escape your responsibilities.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 Would you detain me here by force ? 
 
 CHIEF 
 If necessary yes. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 (Resumes her seat.) You will hear of this later Chief 
 Saunders. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 I am responsible for my actions, Madam. 
 (In phone.) Sergeant send up that sailor. (Hangs 
 up.) 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 (Rises.) I will not remain in the same room with 
 that beast. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 (Sarcastically.) Have no fear, Madam; he will be 
 as uncomfortable in your society as you are in his. 
 
 (The sailor enters L. U. E. with his hat in his hand. 
 Mrs. Beecher examines him through her glasses.) 
 
 What is your name? 
 
 JOE 
 Joe Masters. 
 
 CHIEF 
 What is your occupation?
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 JOE 
 
 Sailor able seaman. I'm just back from a whaling 
 cruise. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Married or single ? 
 
 JOE 
 Single. 
 
 CHIEF 
 When did you arrive in this port ? 
 
 JOE 
 A week ago. 
 
 CHIEF 
 How long were you at sea ? 
 
 JOE 
 Eight months. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 And during that eight months you remained aboard 
 your ship ? 
 
 JOE 
 Except when we camped in the ice fields. 
 
 CHIEF 
 When you came ashore here, where did you make for?
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 JOE 
 I started for the dance halls. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Why did you start for the dance halls ? 
 
 JOE 
 That's the only place a sailor can have any fun. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Didn't you know that the Y. M. C. A. had a reading 
 room for sailors? 
 
 JOE 
 
 Yes but men who go to the Arctic huntin' finns 
 ain 't that kind of a sailor. 
 
 (Pause. Chief looks at Mrs. Beecher.) 
 
 A man home from an eight months cruise on the 
 ice wants company. Why, for over six months I didn't 
 see a white woman. I wanted to get into a crowd I 
 wanted to be free and easy, and feel I was welcome. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Go on. 
 
 JOE 
 
 Well, \vhen I went down the line I found all the 
 dance halls closed up ; no light no dancing no women ; 
 and nothing to drink but grape juice.
 
 10 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 CHIEF 
 Go on. 
 
 JOE 
 
 I asked a cop what had struck the town, and where 
 a man could go to have a good time, and he said there 
 was no place in town for a bum like me that if I wanted 
 to have any fun, I'd have to wear a claw hammer join 
 a swell club, and stop at a swell hotel. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Go on. 
 
 JOE 
 
 I thought he was kiddin' me at first, until he said that 
 a bunch of fool women were trying to make a Sunday 
 school out of a seaport. 
 
 (Mrs. Beecher sniffs.) 
 
 Then I asked him where where 
 
 (Looks at Mrs. Beecher and stops.) 
 
 CHIEF 
 Then you asked him where the redlight district was ? 
 
 JOE 
 
 Yes. 
 
 CHIEF 
 And what did he say? 
 
 JOE 
 He said it had spread all over the city.
 
 THE KKVV CHIEF OP PQLJCE 11 
 
 CHIEF 
 What did yon do then? 
 
 t 
 JOE 
 
 T started up-town, *nd and 
 
 CHIEF 
 Go on. 
 
 JOE 
 
 T was crazy for someone to talk to, and when I saw 
 a girl eoniin' down thp street that looked like a dance-hall 
 girl T stopped her. 
 
 outrage. 
 
 MRS. BEECHEB 
 iuflujH, ''! if.) A dance-hall girl this is an 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 This is the truth, Madam. (To Joe.) What made yon 
 think sho was a. dance-hall girl? 
 
 JOE 
 
 By the look c' her. She didn't have much on, and 
 what little she had fitted her like a wet bathing suit. Her 
 face was painted and yon could see her leg up to 
 the knee.
 
 12 THE 'NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 CHIEF' 
 
 And you didn't think you were going wrong in speak- 
 ing to her? 
 
 JOE 
 
 No, sir. I thought she dressed that way to let men 
 know she was a sporting woman. 
 
 CHIEF 
 What did you say to her? 
 
 JOE 
 Hello, Kiddo. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Would you have spoken to her if you had thought 
 she was a respectable woman? 
 
 JOE 
 No, sir. 
 
 CHIEF 
 And why not ? 
 
 JOE 
 
 Because well, because I got a mother and two sisters. 
 But they don't dress like she did. 
 
 CHIEF 
 That will do. Step into the next room.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 JOE 
 
 (Going up to door L. U. E.) 
 
 (At door.) Say, Chief, I ain't the kind of man to 
 insult a good woman, nor I don't want you to think I'm 
 doin' the baby act. If I done wrong, I'll take what's 
 comin* to me; but if that girl had looked the lady, I 
 would have treated her as such. (Exit L. U. E.) 
 
 CHIEF 
 In that man's statement lies the root of the trouble. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 (Incredulously.} Do you believe him? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Yes. my experience as a policeman has taught me that 
 a modest woman has less to fear from a rough neck than 
 from some of the young gentlemen about town. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 But this girl gave him absolutely no encouragement 
 to address her. We know her she is a lady and demand 
 that an example be made of this man. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 .He should be punished, Madam ; but what of the girl ? 
 (As she starts to interrupt.} I have made a personal 
 investigation of this case, Madam, and know the facts.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 With what result ? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 You shall see. (In phone.) Sergeant send in Miss 
 La Fere. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 Is she here? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Yes, I have requested her to wear the costume she had 
 on when this man insulted her. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 You surely do not intend to question her on such a 
 delicate subject? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 I am. going to question her about her costume and 
 her habits; if both are above reproach, her sensibilities 
 will not be outraged. 
 
 DORA 
 
 (Enters with affected timidity L. F. E. She stops, 
 sees Mrs. Beecher, runs to her R. gushingly.) Oh, Mrs. 
 D e Witt Beecher, isn't this dreadful?
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 15 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 (Embracing her.) There there, dear, we women 
 must make sacrifices for the good cause. The best people 
 of the city are with you, and believe in you. 
 
 DORA 
 
 I was never so mortified in my life. (Crying on her 
 shoulder.) Just fancy being in a police station! 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 There there, dear, control yourself. The Chief of 
 Police wishes to ask you a few questions. 
 
 DORA 
 
 (Impulsively to the Chief.) Oh, Chief Saunders, isn't 
 it dreadful that a lady cannot go down the street without 
 being insulted? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 (With a very cold manner.) Where did you spend 
 most of your time yesterday afternoon ? 
 
 DORA 
 At the St. Pancras Hotel. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Do you live there 1 
 
 DORA 
 Oh, no I live at home.
 
 16 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 CHIEF 
 Did you go to the hotel alone? 
 
 DORA 
 
 Yes. 
 
 CHIEF 
 To see who ? 
 
 DORA 
 Mrs. Alleton gave a bridge party. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Did you play bridge for money? 
 
 DORA 
 Of course. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Then, according to the laws of this city, it is my duty 
 to arrest you as a common gambler. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 But, Chief Saunders, Mrs. Alleton is a leader of 
 society; in fact, all the ladies who play bridge are promi- 
 nent society women. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Then, I am to understand that the law against gam- 
 bling doesn't apply to society women?
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 17 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 Oh, not that exactly. Bridge is a society woman's 
 recreation. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Really we will let that pass for the moment. (To 
 Dora.} Were any refreshments served? 
 
 DORA 
 ( Confused. ) Why er certainly. 
 
 CHIEF 
 What did they consist of ? 
 
 DORA 
 (Confused.} Why er the usual thing. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Miss La Fere, I want the truth. What did those re- 
 freshments consist of? 
 
 DORA 
 (Hesitatingly.} Well cocktails, and high balls. 
 
 CHIEF 
 And how many cocktails and high balls did you drink ? 
 
 DORA 
 Well, really, Chief
 
 18 THE NEW CHIEF- OP POLICE 
 
 CHIEF 
 Answer me. 
 
 DORA 
 Oh, not many four, possibly five. 
 
 CHIEF 
 Did you feel the effect of what you drank? 
 
 DORA 
 Oh, dear, no. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 Chief Saunders those were ladies, and they hold 
 their er refreshments like ladies. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 It does not alter the fact that this girl had been 
 drinking. 
 
 DORA 
 Why the idea! 
 
 CHIEF 
 Did any of the ladies smoke cigarettes? 
 
 DORA 
 
 Why, Chief Saunders!
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 19 
 
 CHIEF 
 Answer me. 
 
 DORA 
 
 Yes. But it is the fashion now the first women in 
 the country smoke cigarettes. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 So do sporting women. However, we will let that 
 pass. Yet, according to your own statement, on the after- 
 noon in question you gambled, drank whiskey and 
 smoked cigarettes. 
 
 DORA 
 Why, Chief Saunders how crudely you express it. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 But you must remember I am not a society man I 
 am only a policeman. Who chooses your gowns, Miss La 
 Fere? 
 
 DORA 
 I do, of course. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 And you gave orders that it was to be made skin- 
 tight ? 
 
 DORA 
 Certainly it is the fashion.
 
 20 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 CHIEF 
 Does your mother approve of the way you dress ? 
 
 DORA 
 Certainly. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Do you think you dress as a modest, refined woman 
 should dress ? 
 
 DORA 
 Certainly. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Well, you don 't. There isn 't a line of your figure that 
 isn't in plain view; there isn't anything left to the 
 imagination; your whole appearance is an appeal to the 
 basest passions of men; you paint your face with the 
 abandon of a courtesan; you gamble, drink and smoke 
 cigarettes, and call yourself a lady ; if you and your kind 
 represent the best womanhood of America, then God 
 help America. 
 
 DORA 
 Do you know to whom you are speaking? 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Quite well. I am speaking to a girl whose grand- 
 father came across the plains with nothing but the clothes 
 on his back and courage in his heart ; whose grandmother 
 shared the privations and dangers of those pioneer days.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 21 
 
 Two real Americans, honest, simple, brave. I am speak- 
 ing to the granddaughter who is plebian to the core, 
 yet apes the manner of the aristocrat, who spends the 
 gold her forefathers grubbed from the earth over the 
 gaming table to a gjrl the stranger cannot distinguish 
 from the fallen woman and who seeks the protection 
 of the police to save her from her own immodesty. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 I'll have your star for this. We women will petition 
 the Mayor for your resignation at once and he dare not 
 refuse. 
 
 CHIEF 
 We women 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 Yes the real reformers of this city. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 The real agitators, you mean a small minority, 
 whose blatant voice is oftener heard in public places than 
 in her home. The real reformer finds her life work at 
 the cradle not on the rostrum. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 You are not doing your duty to this city. 
 
 CHIEF 
 True. If I did my duty, I would arrest the proprietors
 
 22 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 of these swell hotels, who permit gambling in defiance 
 of the law; I would arrest the society bridge gambler 
 of both sexes. I would raid your society functions, whose 
 dancing shames the Barbary Coast, from whence they 
 came. If I did my duty, you reformers would be the 
 first to howl. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 
 The Socialists are to be congratulated on having so 
 able a champion. It explains your interest in this wretch 
 who insults women, and who, no doubt, will be allowed 
 to go free. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 He will go free for that girl will not appear to 
 prosecute him. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 But I say she shall she must. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Let her and the moment she comes off the witness 
 stand, I will arrest her as a common gambler. 
 
 DORA 
 
 Oli, Mrs. Beecher, that would be dreadful he must 
 not do it. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 Calm yourself, dear he cannot prove it.
 
 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 23 
 
 DORA 
 
 Oh, Chief please please, the disgrace would be 
 terrible. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 You mean the publicity would be terrible the dis- 
 grace is in being found out. 
 
 DORA 
 
 But, Chief I did not think I was doing wrong; all 
 the girls in my set do the same thing I will apolo- 
 gize, T 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 I ) you take my advice, you will do nothing of the sort. 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 Your ailvi'/'-. Madam. (Pointing to Dora, who 'is 
 sli"tnc-d.) There stands a living example of the teachings 
 of you and your kind; an opportunity neglected for the 
 glare of the public calcium; and yet you declare yourself 
 competent to direct the affairs of this city. 
 
 MRS. BEECHER 
 How d;ire you! 
 
 CHIEF 
 
 (Pointing at Dora.) Look at her, and ask me again 
 why I dare. Spoiled by riches she did not earn she
 
 24 THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE 
 
 plays cards for money a gambler. She drinks whiskey 
 and wine as a matter of course a potential xlrunkard : 
 she is a slave to cigarettes, which weaken her mentality; 
 her body is decorated in a manner to excite men's basest 
 passions; if that is a sample of what your teaching has 
 done for the individual what can you do for the nation ? 
 (They hang their heads.} Go back to your homes; teach 
 your children the simple virtues, and before you attempt 
 to lay down the moral law for this city remember that 
 reform, like charity, begins at home. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 PRESS OF 
 
 WM. B STRAUBE 
 
 LOS ANGELE0
 
 .^ REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
 
 LANDERS STEVENS and GEORGIE COOPER