Safety Chief Caught in a Rowdy Web of Student Rebellion

Philadelphia, PA – May 1st, 1930. In a shocking turn of events, Maj. Lemuel B. Schofield, the Director of Public Safety, found himself behind bars at Moyamensing Prison. The arrest stemmed from a heated confrontation with Michael J. Calby, a legislative candidate, at the police station. Calby had arrived with a list of names of students who had participated in a rowdy affair at the University of Pennsylvania, demanding to see copies of the charges against them. Schofield had ordered that no copies be given, citing an obscure law from 1915 that was disputed by Calby.

The dispute sparked heated words between Schofield and the police officers present, including Desk Sergeant James Gallagher and Assistant Superintendent of Police James Hearn. Magistrate John O’Malley, who had issued a warrant for Schofield’s arrest, was also dragged into the fray. The tension was palpable as Schofield was taken into custody.

The rowdy affair in question had involved over 400 University of Pennsylvania students, who had been taken into custody by the police. The incident had been a cause of concern for Schofield, and his decision to withhold the charges from the students had been a contentious one. The arrest of the Director of Public Safety sent shockwaves through the city, raising questions about the relationship between law enforcement and the public they serve.

The incident has sparked a heated debate about the balance of power between the police and the citizens they are sworn to protect. As the city grapples with the fallout, one thing is clear: the Director of Public Safety is not above the law.