Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-17
Scotland Yard.

Scotland Yard is a short street. only a
| block or two in length, running between
Whitehall and the Thames Embankment,
just off Trafalgar Square. five minutes
walk from the parliament house and
Westminster Abbey, and within a stones
throw Of the famous "Horse-guards.'
A new building has been erected lately
to accommodate the increased personnel
of headquarters. A large part Of the old
building, which has been in use since
1870 and has been the scene of many ex-
vate tragedies, Is still occupied by
| branches of the force. And there is a
museum filled with relics of famous
crimes and trophies Of police valor. which
are OF intense interest.
For sixty years Scotland Yard has
been free from political influence. The
commissioner has had absolute power
and authority to regulate the actions
of every mar on the force from new
recruit on probation to the senior super
intendent, and to impose such discipline
throughout the whole service as he may
believe to be for the best interests of
! the public, without thinking of political
effects or considering it's popularity among
or the London county council, the labor
unions or any other associations or in
dividuals
A commissioner who bends before
political breeze, or stoops to cultivate the
favor of politicians, soon loses the con-
fidence of the force and the public and
destroys his usefulness.
New Ideas Worked Out.
| There have been many changes in the
| London police system during the last
| seventy-five years. Innovations and de-
| velopments have been the gradual results
of experience rather than legislation. The
principle upon which the metropolitan
police was founded, and upon which it
has been conducted from the beginning,
was impartiality and justice to all, and
the commissioner has been held respon-
sible for its fulfillment.
This is it's strongest claim to public con-
fdence, although frequently reports of
crimes are suppressed and important oc-
currences are kept secret. This is done
upon the judgment of the commissioner
with the public welfare In his mind, after
consulting with the home secretary. no
doubt; but no politician OF London, no
Bath House John" or .Hinkey Dink" in
British politics. ever intimated to con-
stituent or a friend that he had pull
with the police, or ever attempted to Sc
cure the protection or the release of a
henchman.
It would be absurd for him to do so.
On the other hand the constables know
that they will be sustained and receive
merit marks ntheir record cards IL
they treat all citizens with equal courtesy
and show favors to none.
They may conceal the escapades of
noble lord, or may help to shield some
scion Of the aristocracy from the con-
sequences of his folly or mischief, for
that is a part Of their business. The pur-
pose and the duty Of the constable. as
he and the public understand 1t. Is to
avoid arresting a person II he can serve
the general interest in any other way.
And that is the reason for the extra
ordinary respect and obedience shown Of
ficers Of the law in the city of London
something that always excites the won
der and admiration Of every foreigner
especially Americans. When patrolman
IN London street raises his finger the
signal is obeyed by everybody in sight.
and no person ever resists or refuses to
obey the orders of a London policeman
unless he is so carried away by his pas
sions or is too drunk to understand the
enormity of the act.
In the statistics Of offenses for which
men are tried before the police courts of
London that Of resisting an officer"
which is SO frequent on the dockets of
American police courts, il seldow seen.
The reason has been explained. The Lon
don public understands that the patrol
man, or constable as they call him, Is
always trying to do his duty and they as
sist him.