Evening journal., 1915-09-22
WHISTL|NC COPS Do
NOT ANNOY MAYOR
City Executive Tells Police
Board New Signal SyS-
fem PleaSeS Him
COMMEND OFFICERS
FOR EFFICIENCY

Mayor James f. Prico was an in
terested spectator at the session Of
the Police Commissioners yesterday
afternoon and while there took part
i'm discussion over the Use OF
whistles by the traffic patrolmen.
The question camc up when Com
missioner Megear asked Mayor Price
if the whistles used by the officers an
noyed him or his secretary while in
their offices. Commissioner Megear
said that considerable complaint had
been made by business men with otti-
ces on Market street against the
use OF the whistles. Mayor Price said
he thought the use OF the whistles
was a big improvement over the old
method used by the traffic officers
of waving their hands He declared
he had not been annoyed by the
Whistles
Commissioner Bowers asked the
Mayor to explain his reasons for be-
lieving that the whistles were an inn
provement and the Mayor said that
now people who desire to cross the
streets can use their eyes to see
where they are walking, depending on
the whistles to let them know when
10 cross the streets Heretofore. they
had to watch the officers arms to see
If the way was clear for them to cross
streets.
IL was admitted that the regula-
/ ton of traffic is a serious problem
with which the police of all cities
are struggling and one which few
! have solved to the satisfaction of
everyone The various devices util-
lied in all the big cities were men
toned to show how each is trying to
meet the situation but as yet none
has found a solution that is consid-
cred perfect
The whistles given the traffic po-
lice here are in use in almost all the
big cities of the country. II is claim
ed here that the streets are too mar
row and the noise is much more dis
tinct yet the advantage of the whis-
ties is not denied. The commission
took no action on the subject yes
terday. and il is not known what
they intend to do regarding the mat
ter.
The Russell Uniform Company, OF
New York. who were unsuccessful
bidders for supplying overcoats to
the local police department last win
ter, were awarded the contract TO fur
nish the winter trousers to the de-
partment by the commissioners yes
terday Four bids were received, all
| fixing a higher price for the trousers
than the department has paid hereto.
fore. Il was explained that the in
creased cost was due to the piping
which now extends down the seam
on the trouser legs. The price state'
by the New York firm was S5.74
pair
?, The contract was awarded with Tn
understanding that the Russell Com
\ pany furnish a sample OF the trous
ers made according to the specifica
tions Of the board and subject to tn
boards approval The bids receives
from the other clOthiers were as fol
D., lows: Jacob Reed and Sons Com
y pany, Philadelphia. S675 per pair
~ Snellenburg Company, this city
So 35 per pair, and James II. Wrigh
y Company, Inc. S6.45 per pair.
The commissioners received an ap
plication from Alfred Thompson o
Z No. 1901 French street, for a position
: at patrolman. The application wal
; filed.
Police Captain Kelleher in his week
= ~ report commended Patrolman Bis
: cOe for his work in arresting ivy,
{ men who had tried TO shoot a man az
Z ne walked along the street severa
{ nights ago. The detective squad wa
also commended for the effective worl
done by the detectives in arrestin,
= several men within the past week
U The report of Chief OF Police Blacl
y showed receipts of S195.4O collecte,
in fines last week. Forty-four pris
oners we're committed TO the work
house.
Patrolman William r. Todd, whit
o has been IN for several weeks. for
y mally requested the commission L
: place him on the retired list. Th
= request was granted OFFICER Todd
q retirement to date from October ]
a Since the retirement Of Police Cap
o tain Evans and Patrolman John Solo
n mon, Mr.. Todd has been the oldes
$ member on the police force
y The commissioners made no men
ton Of selecting patrolmen to M tn
vacancies that will exist in the de
partment after October l. Patrolmal
Wilmer McElroy having resigned hi
position at the meeting last week AM
n officer Todd yesterday