Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-20
POLICE ASSOCIATION.
Conference in Regard to Matter II
Commissioner Vests Office.

A, ;mnortant conference relative to the
| ,os;+;on to he maintained by the Com
n,issioners with reference to the work.
,nps If the Policemens Association OF
the District was held this morning In the
office of Commissioner West at the lis
trfct building. Those present at the con-
ference were Commissioner west ana
Mai. Richard Sylvester and PRESIDENT y.
f Smith and Secretary ]. A PEARSON
representing the Policemen's Association.
The conference was occasioned by the re-
cent published statement that the PONCE
mems Association. organized among
members of the metropolitan rorce' "oulu
endeayor to correct certain evils In the
matter Of police salaries by seeking AeSls-
lation. . ~
A number Of matters Of importance TO
the association and to the members OF
the force were discussed at the CONFER
ence and the policy to be adopted by the
Commissioners with reference to the or
ganization was stated by Commissioner
West.
The association has been the subject Of
considerable correspondence, ana COM
missioner West thought it was best 10
have a plain understanding with Its MEM
bers as to the position of the Commis-
sioners in the matter. Mr.. West stated 10
the officers of the association that there
was no objection to the formation OF an
association for purely social purposes,
and that any effort which looked to the
betterment Of the police force would pc
given the hearty support and influence OF
the Commissioners; but that under no
circumstances would the Commissioners
agree to the continuance of the assOcia-
ton If it was developed into an organ1za-
ton for lobbying through Congress bills
for increase of salary or for influencing
any legislation.
Mr.. West stated that the Commission
ers will at all times. when in their
ffov to a a.
able, seek to increase the salaries of the
police force, but that the final decision In
this matter must rest with the Commits
sioners. and that above all things the
halls of the Capitol should not be throng-
ed by police officers seeking to influence
members of Congress. O RF
President Smith was asked why the as
ISOLATION had employed an attorney, and
he replied that it was only for the pur-
pose of defending police officers against
the complaints of citizens made before
the trial board. He stated that the serv-
ices of the attorney would not be used,
directly or indirectly. for any other pur-
pose.
He called attention to the fact that fire.
quently citizens who brought complaints
against officers hired lawyers to prose-
cute the charges, and he thought that
the officers were entitled to the services
of an attorney in defense.
There was no objection on the part of
the Commiss toner's and Mai Sylvester to
the employment of the attorney, provid-
ing his services were restricted to those
outlined.
President Smith gave assurances that
the association was not formed for the
purpose of taking up any matter which
the Commissioners did not approve and
promised to abstain from any lobbying
with Congress He said that the associa-
ton would hold smokers, to which would
be invited prominent citizens, and espe-
cially the officers of citizens associations
In order that a friendly feeling might be
brought about between the police officers
and the citizens.