The Washington times., 1903-07-07
WILL INVESTIGATE
THE POLICE CHARGES
Bribe-GiveiS and Bribe-Tak-
erS to Be Prosecuted.
THE COMMISSIONERS TO ACT
Heavy Punishment by Both Fine and
Imprisonment Is Provided by Law
for Such Offenders.

The investigation into the charges
made against certain members of the
Police Department, accusing them of re-
ceiving money from applicants for po-
sitions on the force. to influence APP
pointments. is being conducted yigor-
ously by the District Commissioners.
The guilty men. if they can be ascer-
tanned and the offense proved, will be
given the extreme penalty of the law.
under a special act passed by Congress
a year ago, providing for just such az
emergency The act is as follows:
What the Law Provides.
THAT hereafter every person who di-
rectly or Indirectly takes, receives, or
agrees to receive any money. property,
or other valuable consideration what
ever from any person for giving, pro-
curing, or aiding to give or procure any
Office. place. or promotion in Office from
the Commissioners of the District OF
Columbia, or from any officer under
them. and every person who. directly or
indirectly, offers to give. or gives any
money, property, or other valuable con-
sideration whatever for the procuring or
aiding to procure any such office, place.
or promotion in Office shall be deemed
guilty OF a misdemesnor. and on convlc-
ton thereof IN the Police Court shall
Re punished by a fine not exceeding one
thousand dollars or Imprisonment in
the Jail for not more than twelve
months. or both. in the discretion Of
the court"
Commissioner Macfarland Talks.
Commissioner mcfarland, in discus
sing the matter this morning. said that
the facts so far ascertained showed a de-
plorable state of affairs. 1T is too bad. -
he said em2hatically, that a man
anxious to become a policeman should
be subjected to the wiles Of sharks. The
average Washington policeman is an in
telligent man, and should know better
than to allow himself to be imposed
upon. 1t Is a fact commonly known, that
each applicant must pass an examina-
tion before a board OF surgeons, 10 de-
termine his physical ability. and that
be must pass an examination before the
civil service board in order to qualify
mentally. Once he has passed both OF
these he is placed upon the eligible list,
and the rest Of the work is automatic
He is as sure TO be appointed as any
thing human is certain, and there is
no place that any influence could be
brought to bear.
One Conviction Expected.
1--WE were advised year or more ago
that this sort OF thing was being done.
but could get no proof. Now Major
Sylvester thinks he has obtained enough
facts TO convict at least one man. and
1t VIII serve as an opportunity to warn
future applicants against committing any
like odense. In the first place. by pay
ing SIPS OF any other amount, ostenslbly
to obtain a position. they lay them
selves open TO criminal prosecution for
giving and taking brides. In the second
place the payment of money is absolute
ly impotent. and cannot. by any possible
method. influence the appointment OF the
person paying it, or anyone else
IF this fact we're known to the men
who will become policemen in the future
this sort OF thing would stop short. 1t
is too bad that some honest men have
to be preyed upon by verltable sharks.
And If we get the sharks and convict
them. 1t will go as hard with them as
the law allows"