The Washington herald., 1914-04-19
Gov Peypacker Responsible for the Formation Of the
State Police, Who Have Proved Their
Worth Many Times.

lying in the open contrary to orders
There was fever in other companies ana
troops but not in his. And so all his
men came back to Philadelphia.
Pennypacker thought of Groome and
wrote him a letter. The response was
gracious but, OF course, the major was
too busy to become a policeman. Later
he was called to Harrisburg by tele-
phone. There are plenty OF men COM
petent to organize the new department
he told Gov. Pennypacker.
81 offered the place to ten after Offering
It to you. and all declined it." the gov
ernor replied, not knowing how his an
swer sounded. II am sworn to execute
the laws. 1 have no one to call on, In
the event Of a serious emergency, but my
private secretary and my stenographer,
who happens to be a young woman"
Your argument" Maj Groome replied.
''is unanswerable. The job is mine"
Fought the Politician, First.
The statute put everything into the
hands Of the superintendent He was en-
powered TO hire 22S officers and men. d.
vide them into four companies or pla-
toons, and to see that they knew how
to ride horseback. Everything else prac-
tically was left to the superintendent.
Maj. Groome went to Ireland, which is
III STed Ildn I-eIlnsNlNdlllds
studied the constabulary of that country.
1t contained. he found. 1000 men. The
law gave him only 200 privates, twenty
sergeants, four lieutenants, and four cap
tains.
Returned to his home. Maj. Groome
fought and won his first battle. 1t was
with politicians. One party leader sent
him list of twenty names. Men bearing
the names were to be privates. Not a
who lFen FrnNa
"Dou you. know" he was asked by IA
nous Republican. after his whole force
had been enlisted and had gone into
training, that seven Of your eight OFF,
GERS are Democrats?"
Even So" Mai. Groome answered. and
he is a Pennsylvania Republican him
self, your inquiry is not interesting or
pertinent. I don't give a hoot whether
the State police force is Protestant or
Catholic, Republican or Democratic. i
want men who can ride and fight and
when cease to be boss of the force then
the governor will have to find another
superintendent" Thus at the outset poll
tics were kept out of the department
Promotions, in all the years following
the organization Of the force, have been
made from the ranks.
Politics so far have never Influenced
a single appointment" Mai Groome told
money
interest or political interest can put a
man into the State police. And once in.
on his merits, a man cannot be put out
unless he is found to be unfit or is guilty
of misbehavior. Having been dismissed,
and mark what / am saying. a man can
never be reinstated
II was before a committee of the New
York legislature not a great while ago."
Mai. Groome went on to say. THE ques-
ton of a State police force was being de-
bated in Albany. I explained the situa-
ton in Pennsylvania. You believe. then.
some one said, in centering all power in
one man.
High-brows Not Liked by Groome.
Absolutely replied. First, fnd the
man-and IL he is not dependent on his
job for a living. so much the better-and
hold him personally responsible for re-
suits. Give him a free hand and let him