Evening star., 1898-01-17
POLICE AND CHARITY WORK
President of the Board Of Commissioners
Gives His Views.
Mr.. Ross Not Disposed 10 Delay Dis
tribution of Funds and Will
Act Accordingly.

A decision by the District Commission
ers in the matter of the proposed discon-
tinuance of relief work by the police force
will be made in a day two. and il can
| be said on the best of authority that the
! proposition will be approved by them.
Commissioner Wight, who has charge OF
the police department. subject. of course,
to the acuoE and control of the board of
Commissioners, several days ago recon-
| n2ended that the police be relieved of such
work. He explained. in making the recom-
mendation, that he favored a discontinue
al ce of the work by the police force be-
| cause he believed that ii seriously inter-
| fered with their legitimate duties and be-
cause he felt that the work could be better
done-by the Associated Charities and other
like organizations, in connection with the
central relief committee.
Gives Views i'm Writing.
Commissioner Ross today gave his views
| on the subject in the folio wing Endorsement
| he made on the recommendation OF Mr..
Wight:
The conference referred to in Commits
siorer Wight's accompanying communica-
ton with the very influential citizens
named was had during my absence from
the District, SO that L am deprived of the
benefit of the details of their views and
counsel
While do not care to place myself in
the position of delaying the relief, now so
Urgently needed in midwinter. by opposing
the plan outlir ed, / deem il my duty TO
state that my experience Commits
sioner in connection with the whole sub
ject of charities has taught me that the
police department mt l as been most efficient
medium for the honest and immediate re-
| lief of the worthy poor. 1 have never heard
of any case in which the relief was not
quickly and fairly administered, and l am
aware or E.anN contributors in the past
who have made it a condition that their
contributions be distributed by the police.
81 am also of the belief that these min
istrations Of the members of the police
fierce have had a good moral effect among
the ber eiciares of the charitable fund,
and have enabled the patrolmen to acquire
an intimate and valuable knowledge with
regard to the people among whom they
have to administer the laws.
Personally therefore, / would he very
glad if the Associated Charities could make
use of the police force in the distribution
of their funds and supplies; but 1 am not
disposed to delay the work by voting
against Mr.. Wights proposition"
Commissioner Blacks Position.
The paper is now in the hands of Com
missioner Black. and he stated to a Star
reporter this afternoon that he will ap-
prove the recommendation of Mr.. Wight.
THE beard of Commissioners" said Cap
| tain Black. will be an unit in the matter.
for feel that, everything considered. the
diScontnuance suggested by Commission
or Wight should follow. 1t is needless to
say that in disseminating the work we in
tend no reflection on the members of the
police. On the contrary. we have only
have done. We simply believe that they
should be relieved of work not in the line
Of their legitimate duties. and which can
be done by others az well, if not better"