Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-23
RETURN FROM JAMESTOWN
ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF Po-
LICE CONCLUDES CONVENTION.
Discussion of the Subject Of Carrying
Concealed Weapons-Views Of
the Members.

Maj Sylvester, who was elected president
of the International Association Of Chiefs
of Police for the eighth time, returned yes
terday from jamestown, where the annual
convention was neld. He was accompanied
by several chiefs from other cities and
members of their families. number of
them had not been here before. and they
were entertained by a committee of the
local force, the ladies going to Mt. Vernon
and the men to other places. In the after
noon Maj. Sylvester entertained the Wis
itors at dinner. Several members of the
party went from here to Baltimore as the
guests of Marshal Farnan and Capt. Pun.
phrey. They expect to leave Baltimore to-
morrow night. All the delegates to the con-
vention were pleased with their trip to
Jamestown, especially the trip down the
Potomac. Some went on the day boat to
enjoy the scenery along the historic river
others making the trip on the night boat to
save a day of their outing at the exposition
During the time the convention was in
session at jamestown the members of the
association listened to number of inter-
esting papers upon questions of interest to
the pc ice, the most interesting being con-
trioution upon the question of concealed
weapons, which was read by j. H. Hayden,
chief of police of Rochester, n. Y. His pa
per was discussed at considerable length,
more than a dozen members of the associa-
ton participating. The name of President
Roosevelt figured in the discussion. being
mentioned by George NJ. Shippy, general SUI
perintendent of the Chicago force, and w.
NJ Clemans, chief of police of Wheeling. w.
Va. one of them referring to the incident at
the time of the cornerstone laying on Ma
sonic Temple. the other telling of the effect
upon residents of his city made by a speech
of the President.
Suggestion of Harm.
Chief Hayden dwelt at length upon the
question of concealed weapons. He pointed
out the harm that is done because people
happen to be armed at time they become
involved in slight trouble; told of the diff
Guilty experienced by the police because of
the number of persons indulging in the
practice and concluded by saying that he
favors the passage of uniform law making
the carrying of revolver a felony.
john ]. Downey, chief of the Detroit force
said while as rule he condemned the car
rylng of concealed weapons there are ex-
cepuons. He cited the case of a banker
going home at a late hour of the night
with large sum of money in his pocket.
Such person, he argued, should not be ar
rested for being armed.
Frederick kohler, chief of police Of Cleve-
land, Ohio. held to the view that no man
has a right to carry loaded revolver un-
less he is legally authorized to do so.
Under the law in my city," Chief Weir
OF Birmingham, Ala, remarked. nobody
mas a right to carry a weapon; not even a
policeman. / have known of instances in
which members Of our force have been
served with warrants for carrying re-
volvers"
]. H. Maddox, chief Of the Fort Worth
police force, surprised his hearers when he
advocated the universal carrying of weap-
ons. He frankly stated that If he had his
way he would insist upon every man being
armed.
Story Of Highwayman.
Chief Maddox related a story of a lone
highwayman holding up a stage coach and
robbing the passengers. The highwayman
was asked by one of his victims how it
was that he had the nerve to hold up so
many persons, and he explained that he
knew the passengers were gentlemen and
he also knew that gentlemen did not like
to get arrested for carrying concealed
weapons. Feeling certain. therefore, that
they were not armed, he said he had no
fear of the consequences.
Let the law-abiding citizen go armed"
the chief suggested. land the criminal will
not be so bold. If he knows his weapon is
to be met with others he will not take such
desperate chances"
Chief Shippy of Chicago said as he is the
baby member of the association it had not
been his intention to make speech, but he
had to admit that the chief from Fort
Worth had awakened him. In view Of what
had been stated upon the subject, he said
he could easily understand about the Presi-
dent incident at the cornerstone laying
Chief Shippy could not agree with the re-
marks that had been made by the chief
from Fort Worth. He was opposed to the
carrying OF weapons and thought a strn-
gent law against it should be upon the
statute books.
Enters Vigorous Objection.
Chief Clemans of Wheeling entered Wig
orous objection to the carrying Of con-
cealed weapons He recalled the time when
President Roosevelt advocated the policy
Of every young man learning how to shoot
The remarks found their way into print he
stated, and for two or three months there
after, he said, his men experienced great
difficulty in Strengthening out the con-
cealed weapon carriers.
A number of other chiefs participated in
the discussion. 1t was agreed that there
should be a uniform law against the prac-
tice of persons roaming about the streets
Of cities and the roads in the country with
loaded revolvers in their pockets, but no
conclusion was reached as to whether the
proposed law should be for felony or a
misdemeanor. Reports made by chiefs
from different sections Of the United States
showed that there is great variance be-
tween the laws of the different states 1t
was stated that In some places permits to
carry weapons are granted by probate
judges. and that in others such permits are
granted by superintendent of police
Several of the chiefs expressed themselves
as favoring law giving the authority to
grant such permits to reputable persons
who have legitimate reasons for wanting
the privilege accorded them. Others, how
ever. were opposed to any exceptions being
made TO the law which is intended to pre-
vent the practice. The paper of Chief
Hayden was enthusias tically received by
the members in attendance. and 1t is likely
that the discussion will be renewed at the
meeting in Detroit next year