Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-14
CHIEFS OF POLICE
Continued from First Page.)

z.
lack that best of all virtues-good common
sense. A man can't always have that, but
ne can gain experience, and in time can
learn what is best to do. But there are
frequent exhibitions of heroism in the
ranks that are never heralded printed.
L am sure that for every worthless man
who is discovered on the police force of a
city there are 500 heroes who never think
or reward. ] have been connected with the
local government here for over four and a
half years, and cannot remember case
where dishonesty has been traced to any
member of the force"
Mr.. Ross went on to speak of the bus
mess matters which the chiefs propose to
discuss, and said that he hoped they would
pensions. He asked if the old policeman
was to be turned out after years of hard
service. like an old horse abandoned to die
or II the municipality should provide for
him and his family. Then there was the
important question of finding some means
of capturing fugitives in other jurisdic-
tons. which he hoped would be solved by
some recommendations. He was glad that
the union includes several members from
Canada, which is such favorite refuge for
criminals and hoped that some laws might
be passed that would prevent the release of
prisoners apprehended on receipt of tele-
graphic requisition on writs of habeas cor
puS. In conclusion he mentioned President
Cleveland's connection with the municipal
affairs of the city of Buffalo and paid a
glowing tribute to him as one who has al
ways insisted upon pure, efficient and
honest administration of public affairs.
President Seavey's Annual Address.
After Mr.. Ross speech, which was
heartily received, President Seavey read his
| annual address. He thanked the Commits
sioner for his good advice and practical
talk, which showed that he knew some
thing about the police business. He called
attention to the many changes that have
been made in the municipal affairs of sew
eral cities during the past year, but" he
went on, Notwithstanding the alleged
moral wave which has swept over our
country, having for it's object the dsrup-
ton of the police departments in many in
Stances" he believed the police union would
prosper. He spoke of the good that has
been accomplished by organization, which
was effected in Chicago in May, 1898, and
said that the combined efforts of the MEM
bers have been productive of much good IN
the prevention of crime and the apprehen-
sion of criminals.
larger Cities" he went on, there is con-
slant Geographic correspondence, and the
effectiveness of one department depends
upon the police system of other cities.
To bring these various departments into
more systematic and harmonious action in
experimenting criminals is one of the prin-
cipal objects of the union. Telegraphc
codes and the Bertillon systems of identifi-
cation will be established, which will en-
able every department in the union to
work effectively and in harmony with
every other department. Differences of
the criminal codes of the various states
have most hampered the authorities in ap-
pretending and holding criminals who
are wanted at a distance. Through the eff
forts of our union stronger influence
may be brought to bear for the removal
of obstacles to such. arrests. The cities of
this country are mutually interested in the
detection and punishment of criminals, no
matter where the crime may have been
committed.
Crime Is Increasing.
Statistics show that crime is increasing,
and it remains for the police to control and
subdue it. In order to bring about a very
necessary reform in this matter the Grim
inal laws of the states must be more effec-
tive and uniform and the men who have
charge Of the prosecution of these laws
must prosecute in the strongest sense OF
the term"
President Seavey went on to speak of the
more personal matters connected with the
police departments. and deplored that IN
fiuence should operate to place unworthy
men on the force. In concluding that por-
ton of his report, the president said:
with united action on the part of the
heads of the police departments, assisted
by the American people who desire to have
the police system of this country elevated
to more efficient standard, 1 believe that
crime in the United States will greatly di-
minish during the next season."
In relation to the detective service, the
president said: "Some action should be
taken at this meeting with a view to pro-
noting the efficiency of our detective serv
ice. If two or more detectives of any de-
partment could be exchanged say, for
month or less, to work with some other
department for the purpose of gaining in
formation, the criminals who infeSt
cities would become SO well known that
they would be much less difficult CT appre-
hension. If this practice should continue,
and extend to all departments, the knowl-
edge of the criminal classes would be so
complete within few years that it would
aid materially in reducing crime to a mini
num-
large number of vice presidents, and closed
his message with an interesting history of
the Washington police department, pre-
pared for him by Chief Clerk Sylvester
Secretary Carr made his annual report of
the financial condition of the union, and
then recess cf a quarter of an hour was
taken to enable the members to pay their
ffnes-that is to say, their dues-and so to
swell the balance on hand.
Muj. Moore's Announcements.
After the recess Major Moore was pre-
sented and announced the program that
had been arranged for the entertainment
of the chiefs. The President of the United
States, he said, would receive them all at
o'clock. The managers of most of the
theaters, he said, had kindly agreed to con-
slider the badge of membership as a ticket
of admission. Major Moore said that after
today he hoped the chiefs would be turned
promised not to be autocrat, and out
lined the program of entertainments about
as follows: Tomorrow, trips to the Soldiers
Home and the Zoo; Thursday, an excur-
sion TO Mt. Vernon and Marshall Hall and
the introduction of the chiefs to planked
shad; Friday, a visit to Arlington and a
view of the cavalry drill at Fort Myer.
On motion of Chief Murphy of Jersey
City, the president was authorized to APP
point a committee of five to take under
consideration the matter of needful legis-
laton to prevent the release of prisoners
arrested on Geographic requisition.
The union then proceeded to elect a presi-
dent and a secretary, which it accomplish
ed in very much of knock-down and
Observation-Disclosures style.
President E1dridGe Run In.
Nominations were quickly made, placing
the names of Chiefs Eldridge Of Boston and
Moore of Washington in the lists. Both Of
them declined. because they feared they
could not serve. Maj. Moore's plea of mot
guilty. was accepted, but that of Chief
Eldrdge was rejected. While he was try
ing to decline a vote was taken and he was
declared elected by reclamation. He then
arose to refuse to serve, but Lieut.. Amiss,
at the rear of the room, began to toot on
his whistle, the chiefs capped their hands,
ard each time the Boston man opened his
mouth he was drowned out until he gave