The Washington herald., 1915-08-06
A Suggestion to Maj. Pullman.

Investigation OF the charges. OF graft IN the
Washington police department has proceeded far
enough to convince the United States attorney for
the District of Columbia that they we'll
founded How far the corruption extends has
yet to be developed, but evidence has been pro-
duced pointing to the guilt of men above the rank
of private in the service. There be assump-
ton either that the specific instances of graft cited
by the one constitute a clearing of the
slate. On the contrary. the suspicion is justified
that other persons are in a position to supply
similar and no less damaging information. A
searching investigation, from top to bottom and
from end to end, must be made, either by the Dis
trict Attorney or by the District government au-
thorities.
The most deplorable development of yester-
day the announcement that the Superintend-
ent OF Police in utter ignorance OF the exist
cnce of even the suspicion of corruption in his
department until formal charges were made last
Monday in the office of the District Attorney. The
Herald takes this occasion to proclaim its implicit
confidence in Maj. Pullman's integrity the SINGER
y Of his purpose to enforce the law and his de-
sire to maintain a high standard of honesty and
efficiency for the force under his command. 1t is
forced to the conclusion, however, that his mex
pcrienCc in dealing with criminals and unScrupu
lous policemen and his inherent faith in the
honesty and uprightness of others, have caused
him to be imposed upon and deceived No ex-
perienccd police chief would acquit a suspected
member of the force upon his assertion OF
innocence, unless that mans record through test
and temptation, remained unblemished. The un-
supported word of citizen should weigh no less
than the unsupported word OF accused police
until the trial board has fulfilled its appoint
cd duty OF ascertainng the truth Although Maj
Pullman has not been at the head of the depart
mcnt many months he must in that time have
been confronted with few such cases, and
it is almost incredible that whsperngs of the
scandal that was finally spoken aloud in the Dis
trict Attorneys office failed to reach him. Ap-
parently his mistake was in regarding them too
lightly. There is yet time for him to make
amends, and The Herald takes the liberty of sug-
gesting that Maj Pullman begin sweep
ing investigation of his own department, indc-
pendent OF that being conducted by the United
States District Attorney. There is wide differ
between offences warranting indictment by
a grand jury and offences tending to imperil the
reputation and discipline OF a police force and de-
stroy the public confidence in its honesty and in
tegrity. There may be members of Maj Pull
mans force who while they might escape convic-
ton in criminal court, richly merit dismissal from
the police department. 1t would appear to be
the duty OF the Superintendent of Police to thor
oughly investigate the case of every policeman
who has been accused, or against whom suspicion
has been directed, and no man should be per
mtted to win exoneraton by lying denial. The
people OF the Capital have right to demand pro-
lection for their persons and property by honest
and efficient policemen Washington is no place
for the CRATER or rufian in uniform