The Washington herald., 1907-06-19
POLICE CHIEFS MEET
Hold First Meeting of Con-
yentiOn az Exposition.
SYLVESTER MAKES ADDRESS
Head of Wnshington's Department
Says States and municipalities BE-
gin to Realize thnt "POIiceman's
Lot Is Not Happy One"-Members
of Force should BE Well Paid.
3pccial 10 Tie Washington Hcrald

Special to The Washington Herald
Norfolk, Va, June lS.-The International
Association of Chiefs Of Police convened
in annual session at tie jamestown Ex-
position to-day with the heads OF police
departments from every State in the
Union attending There are also some
/ delegates from the South American re-
publics here
The address Of welcome was made by
JOHN b. jenkins. president of the Nor
I folk civil service board. and Mai Rich
ard Sylvester, of Washington, u. G.,
/ president OF the body responded The
remainder of the day was given up TO
the reading of reports OF routine bust
ness. The convention viii be in session
through Friday and much entertainment
will be given the visitors while here.
Mai. Sylvester Speaks.
"The demand for protection that will
protect Is now more earnest than ever
before The congestion of people, col
onization Of individuals. introduction OF
speech and action against the State. in
ventious for the destruction Of life and
property, rapid means for transportation.
erection of monumental buildings. enorm-
ity of highway traffic promotions for
gain without labor; skill I'm the methods
and appliances Of criminals, cali for eX-
pert and experienced officials 10 properly
| handle them; the disastrous cOnse-
quences which follow frequent changes
in police control and membership, the III
..HF .r-Hr rrF.
servants being underpa:d. the Injustice
which cnsues from casting adrift those
who have given their best years I'm pro-
tacting the lives and properties of others.
and who have not been afforded retire
ment and pensions. are now more fully
realized by States and municipalities than
ever before
"A police organization should be so
arranged as TO best meet conditions in q
community The members Of a force
should be well paid. with life tenure OF
employment. contingent. Of course. upo4
good behavior officers should not be
fixtures. the law should De sufficiently
elastic to permit of a mans promotion or
demotion, according 20 his merit
GET Statistical Standing.
1T was the pleasure Of your presiding
officer to confer with the staustcians Of
the United States Census Bureau, 20 the
end that the general government has
given police departments recognition and
attention from a statistical standpoint
during tho year. The data collected and
compiled through this course for the first
time viii without question prove not only
Of interest 20 you, but 90 the general
public II may not he accurate I'm details
in the initial work. but it promises 20 De
an invaluable product in eny event. and
TO meet a want long felt
IT is evident that most cities are in
adequately policod, and it IS hoped that
in time You may an be bettered in this
regard. The time is at hand when run
and adequate forces should be provided
in the cities OF this great country. in
order that active duty should be eight
hours and departments De equipped with
a reserve coutiI gent 20 alternate in the
performance Of tleiT duty. Physical and
mental rest are necessary for the repre-
sentative police officer, and. II he is such.
he Will properly obtain It in the allowed
time % do 50"