The Washington times., 1914-06-16
Sylvester PRAISES
POLICE EFFICIENCY
Major Shows How Chiefs Have
eroadened and Urges Ade-
Suate Pay and Pensions.

GRAND RAPIDS. Mich. June 10
Major Richard sylvester. OF Washing
tor. president of the International AS
sociation OF Chiefs OF Police. delivered
tic orening address today before sever
ul hundred members of the association,
vino are attending the twenty-frst an
ruaI convention in this city. There
viii be daily sessions until Saturday.
Major Sylvester's address in part is as
follows.
'rwenty-one years ago there came
into existence the Police Union. desig-
mated as such by half hundred kim
Gred spirits who were the heads OF as
many police departments in this coun-
tsy and Canada. That birth was
prompted by humanity and intelligence.
= sympathy for the unfortunate requir-
uS restraint. elevation OF the standard
Tor police endcavor and closer coop
Grafton among the directing police
lures which called for the forming of
that society.
In the years that have followed Il
has included. not only a battalion of
honest. sturdy. energetic. comprehend
Ing, generous representatives of our
own country. but delegates Of brain
and Drawn from Canada have sat side
by side with US in this endeayor of
ours 20 make all police of the world
akin.
The Argentine Republic. Cuba. Qua
temala, Japan Austria Sweden. Scot
land, England. ireland, the Canal zone
and other governments, have each con-
tributed in person, or by comr1ririca-
tion, TO the building up of the assOcia-
ton. that a universal system might, in
time. prevail.
Police Chiefs Broaden.
Police chiefs are but human. All they
require is opportunity 10 study and
learn the wants of the public they
serve. They had for many years only
those advantages that locality might
afford. They have through this asso-
citation been accorded extended re-
sources, have broadened as men. and
a consequent efficiency for the public
good has accrued.
1T is pleasing. however. o observe
that there has been gradual awaken
ing, among those charged with civil
conduct, to the benefits that are de-
rived through this cooperation. They
begin to understand that in these days
of progress. when sWifter and keener
tactics prevail, those charged with the
care of life and property must be er-
-couraged TO be able to meet the pre-
Vailing conditions.
The police officer is not in the busi-
ness for his health bu- to make an
honest livelihood. As the trusted bearer
Of the insignia of law and order. and
the active force TO insure peace and
protection, afford him n enumeration
commensurate with his task. a pen
sion IL injured in the eXtrH hazardous
work, retirement after he shall have
served his people faithfully. Tell him
this shall be his. and you have guaran-
teed TO him that which will encourage
- IL - \ n
to annihilate graft than anything else.
Reforms Accomplished.
The association in its efforts to en-
tighten. and its individual membership,
in furtherance thereof. have brought
about the introduction Of houses Of de-
tention. juvenile courts. regularity in
the employment of the police, motor
patrol wagons, automobiles, hospital
treatment for the weak, humane hand
ling of prisoners, segregation of first
offenders, probation and parole, traffic
control advancement, proper and sani-
tary condition of station houses, i'm
proyements in the keeping Of records,
employment Of the metric and finger
print identification methods, and many
other reforms
Retirement pension laws are COM
paratively recent encouragements to po-
lice and firemcn. Not that such COM
nave not Deen TndlNtalNeO III a
few jurisdictions for years, for they
nave, but there was no attempt on the
part of legislators TO generally promote
the. cause, until the International As
sociauon began its educational crusade
in this particular.
In 1900 there were less than 100 inu- |
inequalities extending such recognition |
TO police and firemen. while this year |
fnds such provision is made in 16S COM |
munities.
Burns Is Criticised.
Sharp criticism of Detective William |
J. Burns, head of the Burns National
Detective Agency, for his activities in
connection with the Leo Frank case
was voiced yesterday by prominent |
members of the association, and reso- |
lutions will he introduced during the |
present sessions, IL is stated. asking that
the detective be ousted from the or
gsniZation.
We have been watching Burns work !
for some time" said Chief Cassada |
and We have decided that We DO not
care to have hiTs considered one )f US
any longer. There is not police Off |
Ger in the business who believes IN
trying his case in the newspapers be
fore the case is taken into court. and, |
from my point Of view, Burns has been
violating the confidence Of his clients to
gain publicity for himself