The Washington herald., 1917-03-13
Police STRIKE POLICY
IS WATCHFUL Waiting
Citzenry Entirely to Blame for Disor.
der. Pullman SAYS.

The police, acting under the instruction
OF the District Commissioners and their
superintendent. Maj. Raymond w. Pull
man. are following a "watchful- waiting
policy anent the strike until there is an
overt act"
According to statement issued last
night by Mat. Pullman, this act has not
so far been forthcoming
Tho principal trouble, according to the
police has been caused by mischfeyous
citizens and not by strikers or strike
breakers.
The following bulletin was issued by
Maj. Pullman last night to the heads Of
the various precincts:
Bnlletin L. Issued,
Captain-Observations at tho various
car barns and along the lines of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany. whose motormen and conductors
are on strike, emphasize the fact that
the great majority of the strikers and
their sympathizers are keeping the prom
ise made by the union not to indulge in
violence OF any kind or commit any act
which will threaten injury to either per
sons travelling on the cars or pedestrians.
Practically every intelligent man among
the strikers or their sympathizers seems
to realize that, the union can receive the
support of public opinion only IL there In
no violence and only the most unintelli-
gent and stupid of the strikers or their
sympathizers are likely to think of COM
mitting any act which will bring public
opinion against the union The railroad
officials also realize that no act should
be committed either by their regular en-
ployes or by any Of the new employees of
the company which will bring discredit
on the company or bring public opinion
against them
With both sides promising to do every
thing possible to see that their men and
sympathizers observe the law, and with
no reason to believe that either side will
be unfaithful to its PROMISE men of the
force should give especial attention to
persons who gather in the crowds and
along the line and who try to make of
themselves either self-constituted leaders
or who try TO commit some overt act in
order to draw attention to themselves.
The police in either case should try to
be the first to discover anything wrong
or any violation of the law which may
threaten public safety.
Should Work Singly.
Members of the force should work
singly. except in emergencies, keep NOV
ing and watch all important points where
trouble Is likely to occur, maintaining
strict impartiality and refuse to be drawn
in the arguments or being placed in a
position Of taking sides. Bicycle men.
motorcycle men and horse-mounted men
should observe carefully every foot Of
roadway and do everything possible to
prevent any unlawful act being COM
mitted by any irresponsible person.
Men going to and from police head
quarters in carrying papers should, when
ever possible and withoutegoing any con-
siderable distance out Of their way, travel
along the lines OF tracks used by the cars
on which men have gone on q strike.
Both sides are anxious to gain and hold
the support Of public opinion by seeing
that none of its members commits an
overt act; the police department by striot
enforcement of law can show its absolute
impartiality and prevent the men of
either side bringing discredit to them
selves or injurins their cause BY acts Of
violence.
The men on the force should continue
to be good-natured In working among the
crowds "nipping trouble in the bud''
whenever It 10 possible. preventing argu-
ments from becoming too heated by time
ly warning and not under any circum-
stances tolerate serious disorder.
RAYMOND W. PULLMAN,
Major and Superintendent