The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-07-29
WANTS COPS TO
/ BUY NEW CLOTHES
Supt. Downey Sounds Force On the
Commissioner Plan of Aping Styles
of New Yawk's" Force.

There was meeting OF representa-
lives OF all different ranks OF the
police department in the hand-oaii
court OF police headquarters, far from
inquisitive reporters. and the general
public. Tuesday night. 1t Is said, at
which the men we're asked. In the
presence OF Supt. John J. Do~ney'
what they thought OF the proposition
OF buying new uniforms. according 10
a plan OF Police Commissioner Croul.
Supt. Downey first announced, II as
said, that he felt that new uniforms
were imperative. No returns on the
vote or the meeting were made pub
lie, OF course. Guess what the mea
voted.
Slpt. Downey referred the matter 20
Police Commissioner Croul. when he
was asked about the coming new uni
forms. And Police Commissioner
Croul said When an order is given
out for the men 10 get new uniforms,
you will get 1t. and not until then"
Which rather leads TO the conclu-
sion that Commissioner Croul meant
that the men are all TO get new uni
they will not be I'm bad" any more
than the poor saloonkeepers who tried
to read between the lines on the COM
missioners orders relative TO Sunday
saloons.
Members OF the mounted and traffic
squad, are all 10 have uniforms diff
ferent from those OF the regular pa
trolmen, IL is said. Two officers al
ready have the new uniforms. tight
fitting-kneed corduroy trousers and
blue coats. Sergeants. lieutenants and
captains are TO have new suits. too.
II Is said. The pattern and design is
not yet made public InNead OF the
numbers and weaths on patrolmen's
helmets, local officers will copy the
New Yawk" insignia, a sort OF tin
plate that looks something like the
II am blind" signs.
But, saddest OF all, and the source
Of long drawn wall from all of the
older officers, Is the rule that all ser
vice stripes" hard-earned badges OF
faithful and long performance OF duty.
are to be stripped from the officers
coats. Every five years. patrolmen
and superiors had black stripe sew.
ed on the sleeves OF their coats. Ser.
geants had blue stripes, and lieuten-
ants and captains gold stripes. A man
with q large strip OF the little stripes
was usually pretty proud OF them, and.
besides, he paid from S. TO 81 extra
for his stripes.
Supt. Downey verified the statement
that stripes were To be removed.
Il am personally opposed to them"
said the superintendent. They are
not neat. Dust and dirt accumulate
between the stripes, which Is bad"
oh, there are lots OF new things.
which haven't even been mentioned
in the daily society notes issued for
the crime reporters, dealing with
thefts of two jars OF Jam, one set OF
harness. tools valued at STAT and
such like.
For years II has been customary for
the reporters to be given typewriter
copies of each genera order. issued at
the end OF each month, and listing
breaches OF discipline and the punish
inent therefor Supt. Downey, who
has been designated as the proper per-
son from whom to get news. refuses
to discuss a rumored suppression II
the general order. He referred the
iudttST 10 OOInIuiSslOHeT kiouis
do we get the general orders?"
Commissioner Croul was asked.
you get the next one, and II you
print It, you'll never get another" he
replied.
WHY" he was asked
do you get the fire department
fines and punishments?" he replied.
referring back to his old job as fire
commissioner. We'll, don't think
the public needs to know about fines
for policemen"
Which means that IL the policeman
on your beat Is drunk. or lax In his
duty, he may be fined for IL, and he
may not. It's none OF your business
Bun policemen are not TO be fined
any more. Instead OF IS to $50 fines.
officers will be sentenced TO serve ex-
ira hours according to their offenses.