Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-12-26


ing these facts into consideration, a
poorly-policed city Is at the mercy
of the criminals who make 1t their
particular business to select .he
richest and most prosperous cities,
with the least danger of being caught
In the tolls as a place in which to
ply their peculiar trade. Within
five or six hours after any change
has been effected by the city coun-
ell as now intended, the Information
Will be common talk among Grim
inals from San Francisco to Seattle,
and, as has been the case i'm other
cities, according to reports given by
police chiefs, the time after reduc-
ing a police force will not be long
before the trains will unload the
men who do the crimes.
At the time the council appointed
the two additional policemen, Chief
Gibson formulated a plan by which
the incoming and outgoing trains
could be thoroughly watched at the
Southern Pacific passenger depot
At this point the travelling hobo
class can enter the city, and by this
way only. The chief instructed his
train men to keep careful watch for
the breakbeam riders and If they
could not be persuaded to again
board the train, bring them to the
city jail for investigation, and IN this
manner petty thievery has been cut
down considerably, and als) the
presence of the undesirables. In
order to accomplish these results the
two policemen were necessary. To
put the responsibility of caring for
the trains on the shoulders of one
man only, would be a waste of time
and energy, as one man can only
watch one side of a train at q time
thus rendering access to the city an
easy matter for the hoboes who
could sneak off in the darkness with
no one to molest them on the oppo-
site side from where one officer is
situated. To place two men at the
depot with a total Of three men on
the force would work hardship on
the city in the meantime. as II is an
established fact, having been proven
heretofore. that a lone officer is
very inadequate to look out for a
city of this size.
The uniforming OF the police as
directed by an ordinance recently
passed by the courcil. is another
vital matter in police protection. to
be considered. To compel an of
ficer who is on duty TO wade through
mud to his shoe-tops. down back al
leys and behind unkept stores, in or
der that they may attend TO the back
door fastenings, and at the same time
don a $40 police uniform and keen
his shoes shined and look neat and
tidy at all times. is rather an impos-
ltion and n detriment TO the police
force In general. With night force
OF four men, Notwithstanding the
proposed reduction, IL is an abso-
lutte necessity for these men TO keen
sharp lookout in the rear of the
stores. and In doing so, the officer is
compelled to disregard appearance
and act according TO rules. II is
very necessary and convenient for
police officers TO be dressed In the
uniform as provided by the uniform
ordinance in large cities. where the
police have nothing to do but pa
rade the main streets, but a night
officer In Salem is an altogether diff
ferent matter.
Another phase Of the uniforming
ordinance, being of great Importance
to the force, is that of recognition
OF the officers dressed In blue coats
and helmets by the evaders of the
law. a small handful Of policemen
can not frighten the lawless tribe
into staying away II Is very well
and good for large police depart
ment TO wear uniforms as their num-
Der is significant OF danger, but a
member OF a small force is COM
PEELED TO lay hands on the criminal
before he can accomplish results. A
uniformed policeman can be identi-
hed by q crook as an officer OF the
law tye blocks away and can keep
constantly posted regarding his
actions and positions during the
night and do the undorhanded work