Evening journal., 1915-03-10
URGE Pensions FOR
families Of slain
Present Legislature Will Be
Asked TO Pass Bill
at Once
COMMISSION
FAVORS LAW

! took steps to have bill presented
to the present session of the Legisia-
ture providing for d pension fund for
tho widows and orphans or other de-
pendents of patrolmen who arc killed
or die from injuries received while
ia the city's service. The matter was
brought up by General Wickcrsham.
President William n Bowers approv-
ed the proposed measure. II was ex-
planned that the pension fund now in
effect does not provide for the care
OF the widow or orphan Of an officer
I who may be killed while IA duty. II
was suggested that the commission
arrange with City Solicitor Daniel o.
! Hastings TO have the bill prepared
today, II possible. The bill wifi be
presented TO City Council for their
approval tonight or at least tomor-
row night and Il will then be for
warded to Dover
II Is proposed that the bill provide
that pensions be paid the widows of
deceased officers as long as they re-
main widows and that the children
OF a slain officer shall be paid a
monthly sum until they reach the age
OF 16 years.
This will be an entirely new act
and VIII IN no wise affect tho present
police pension fund. II will provide
that the pensions TO the widows and
orphans be paid direct from the city
treasury by the City Council. AT least
this IS the original idea, but this will
have 10 be given the approval Of
Council before II goes to Dover. The
amount of the pension will be agreed
upon later. The pension will be paid
every month There is no provision
Of any kind in the law pertaining to
the present police pension fund
whereby money could be taken from
IL for the relief of widows or orphans
of policemen. II is for the care of
the retired officers as long as they
live.
This movement Is a direct outcome
Of tho shooting on Saturday and the
Efforts being made TO secure a fund
by public subscription for tho benO-
iit of the wounded officers.
The members of the Police Com
mission passed unanimously the fol-
lowing resolution doploring the death
OF Pstrolman Tiorney and highly COM
mending all the members of the forco
who had anything 10 do with the
capture of Tho slayer aud his supposed
accompllce:
Resolved. That the Board OF po-
1 lice Commissioners deplores the un-
/ timely end OF patrOlman Francis X
/ 1ierncy who met his death at Sixth
and Market streets on March 8. 1915
while attempting to arrest ono Peter
Kraukas, alias Peter Meiba. and his
Rccomplice. George Moras. alias Ber-
nard Aiontvid. who bad shot Patrol
man Willard $. Sharpess; and be n
| further
Resolved. That AL members of this
department participating in any way
IN The capture Of the said Peter kra-
kns. alias Peter Melba, for the murder
OF Patrolman Francis X. Tierney and
for the shooting Of Pstr0lmen James
Y. Scott, Horace MCDANIEL and Will
lard 5. sharpless, and in the capture
OF his accOmplico. George Moras.
alias Bernard Montyid. be commended
FOR their prompt and efficient service
and their devotion 90 duty"
Police Surgeon Forrest submitted
a report TO the police board OF The
condition Of the wounded officers.
whom he visited and examined after
the shooting. He described the in
jIries OF each In detail, but with .he
exception Of Patrolman Scott he did
rot venture q prediction that Officers
Sharpless or Mcdaniel would re-
cover
The commissioners RENTED the
fine of FIVE days pay imposed on
ID at al l.
Tuesday week Tor being late in maxi
ing report. This amounted TO
about SIS. At the time he was shot
officer Sharpless was working out
this fine
The Water Witch Fire Company
sent communication to the commis4
sion expressing their sympathy for
the relatives of the slain officer.
Patroiman Tierney The members
also expressed their sympathy Tor the
policemen who we're injured. and they
lauded all the officers for the courage
and bravery they displayed. This let
z ter vas ordered noted on the records
Of The department.
While the commissioners we're IN
session a letter was received from
David r. Rutter, OF No. 1Oi1 Wash
/ ingtOn street. which contained a
check and a letter reading as follows:
- enclose a small contribution for
7 the fund being raised for the brave
officers who we're killed and Injured
in the recent murderous attack on
Market street. Their conduct makes
us realize that heroism still lives and
that high ideals OF duty are still found
firmly implanted IN the breasts Of real
men. Every man in Wilmington
should feel proud OF these fellow citi-
zens who have been faithful 10 their
. trust even unto death"
. The efficiency OF the plain clothes
squad organized by the Police Depart.
B. inent was commented on yesterday b,
the commission.
When the squad was FIRST author
I. lied. Chief of Police Black was place,
b IN command and since then he Las as
y signed the men 10 the various case
and directed their work. rnGer hi
3. supervision tine squad has cause
ne numerous arrests and much yaluabl
property hae been recovered
II The squad was organized on Jar
Do uary W and their report from ihi
2 date 10 February 20 shows properi
" recovered valued al S3.3e415. Al IN
nd reading OF the report yesterday Pres
~ dent Bowers and General Wickershal
% both said The report was very credi
=. able.
Patrolman Norman Brown. recent
"a. appointed 10 tho force. was fined on
days pay for being late. The Ohic,
y said he made "A mistake IN the tim
r. and the commissioners said they bl