Evening journal., 1913-05-07
MICkERsHAM ANn REroRMs.

a DJOIANr-GENERAL WICKERsHAM is in service
at last as an active member OF the Board OF
Police Commissioners. With his knowledge of organ
izod men. gained by long service in the militia. he
should able to play conspicuous and exceedingly
useful part in bringing about reforms that will make
the Police Department our city more efficient than
il is today We do not by that that he viii in
dugc in impractical sentiment the introduction OF
fsds and ris, but that he will go the very funda-
monals which are the protection OF the public against
the laNess; tho honest and persistent pursuit and
prosecution Of criminals and tho proper regulation Of
irathc so far as that work properly within the
powers Of tho department.
There is ono thing that General wicbersham should
insist upon from the very outset That is that mem
bers OF the municipal police force shall cease nterfer-
ing with and meddling in private litigation He should
take the proper ground that it part Of tho iesiti
mate duty of city policeman, matter who he may
be. to make private investigations for lawyers who de-
sire evidence witnesses for use in civil or quasi
civil cases That is suitable for men connected
with private detective bureau II certainly is not
suitable work for men connected with public police
department II there be men in the department who
feel that they simply dabbe in private litigation
which does not concern them or their official duties
the thing for General Wickersham and his associates
to do is to serve notice them that they had better
resign policemen get licenses and opan private de-
tectve bureaus It is not right for the uniform the
shield OF the personality OF member our police de-
parment to figure in such private cases and such work
on the side should be repressed from this time forward
with unhnching hand
It also is rumored persstently that certain undesir
able houses have been established in nice residence
districts That is another matter which General Wick
ershsm might properly take up. There is no
donbt that in city the size OF Wilmington there is
sure to be certain number OF such houses but the
police should be directed TO 10 the use OF
recognized kiruono district and not permit them 10
in the good residence districts on either tho
East Side the West Side
General Wickersham also should recognize that one
Of the great needs of the department is more patrol
men. Chief Black has complained repeatedly that he
has not under his command enough to patrol tho
city particularly the outlying districts as they should
he paroled Many Of the present beats are entirely
too large for policeman matter how faithful and
energetic he may be. 10 patrol them properly As a
result both persons and properties arc left unruardod
not because Chief Black his men do not desire 10
give full MEASURE Of protection, simply because Il
is physical mpossiblity. with tho agencies al com
mand, to cover the districts properly
Our new commissioner is popular with all who know
him We have doubt that he has gone into the com
mission with desire to do his full duty TO the people
and 10 increase The popularity which he now properly
enjoys. II he will begin his career By putting into
effect regulation preventing members OF The force
from mcddling in private LITIGATION. compelling them
TO report and suppress improper houses that msy
spring ir decent residence districts and assist Chief
Black in obtaining more patrolmen he viii make 4
good beginning ana win public commentator