Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-10
CHIEFS IN SESSION
Mai. Sylvester Opens Police
Association Convention.
TALK ON NEEDED REFORMS
Third Degree" Methods Discussed
and Denounced in Opening Ad-
dress at Birmingham.

| BIRMINGHAM. Ala. May 10.-The
| seventeenth annual convention of the
| International Association of Police
Chiefs convened here this morning
Maj. Richard Sylvester, superintendent
| of police of Washington, D. c., anC
president of the association. presiding
Chiefs of police and other police OFF,
| Gals from various sections of the
United States and Canada were in at
tendance They were welcomed by city
officials and members CT tie lccal police
| department.
| In opening the convention this morning
| Mai. Sylvester expressed the apprecia-
| ton of the association for having been
invited to birmingham He said that
Birmingham. The wonder child OF Ala
| bama, was quick to respond when an iii
timation was given that the association
would meet somewhere this year
Discussing the so-called third degree,
the speaker said:
Il am convinced that no such barbara
acts maintain generally or even moo
erately among the intelligent protectors
of lives and property. who. on the
bother hand, have repeatedly in these
assemble ges discussed the humane nan
ding of prisoners. endeavorlng 10 pro-
mote kindness on the part OF the ponce
toward children, and to secure the re-
snact and confidence of the good citizen
for him i'm whom is intrusted the care
of that which is most valued.
After speaking of the early history OF
police departments, going back 10 the
time when constables periorme9 sucn o ,1s
ties. Mai Sylvester said: TT must DE
admitted that influences looking 10 me
establishment of police system on TINS
side of the water have WORKED haf.e'ou l
changes. and not the least OF these is the
assoc; alton of which you are members.
The time will surely come when the sys-
tenn will be complete and you VIII ENJOY
the distinction of being the leading civil
defenders of the world
Some Needed Reforms.
"This." Mai Sylvester said. will be
accomplished by the elimination of poll
tics from the conduct of the police; by
intrusting the conduct of forces to heads
trained in the work; by insuring terms
of Office to superiors and subordlnates
during faithful performance OF duty. BY
providing as an encouragement for faith-
full performance of duty ample remunera-
ton: by providing additional 1nduce-
ments in pension and retirement provis-
ions for those who are injured OF VINO
contract disease in line of duty, for the
widows of those killed or who may die
from disease contracted in line of duty
and for those who should be relieved OF
duty after long years of faithful service;
by requiring of forces familiarity with
the laws and regulations, schooling by
instruction drill, revolver practice. en-
forced athletic exercises and cleanliness
BY requiring a reasonable but firm en-
forcement of the laws. humane treat
ment Of prisoners and the segregation OF
female and juvenile offenders. and by the
adoption of modern facilities. motor pa
trolls, signal systems. first aid to the in
jured, station wards, with physicians Tor
care of inebriateS, houses of detention
for women and children, and finger print
and metric methods of Identification.
Were these features placed in enect
in the respective jurisdictions represented
here today together with similar police
uniform and equipment throughout, there
would be a complete police system in ef-
feet in America.
Questions relating to the Identification
of criminals, the establishment of an
identification bureau by the federal gov
eminent. the uniforms of policemen ana
the motor vehicle as an adjunct to police
work were discussed.
Value of Motor Vehicles.
There is to be found in the use of motor
vehicles, he said. expedition, safety and
economy. He said:
when I assert that motor patrol
was employed every day for three months
at an average expenditure of $3.50
month. exclusive of the chauffeurs serv-
ices, you will. no doubt, be somewhat sur
prised, but such is the case under my
own observation. When wear and tear
of harness. forage, blacksmithing, vet
erinaran and other costs are taken into
consideration, aside from the wasting en-
ergies Of two or more horses for wagon
purposes, the contrast is at once appar-
ent.
Thine means everything in the police
service and the transportation of a de-