Evening star., 1917-03-12
St Strict Orders Z. the Police
@furPrevention of Disorder
While Strike Is in Progress!

Anticipating the strike and realizing
the possibility of trouble, Maj. Pull
man. superintendent OF police, the lat
ter part of last week conferred with
Inspector Clifford L. Grant. CHIEF OF
detectives. his captains and other off :
cials. and yesterday afternoon again
conferred with his captains respecting
police duty in the several precincts.
In order that members of the force
might have no misunderstanding as to
the work expected during the strike
Maj. Pullman yesterday issued the fol-
lowing order:
Members of the police force are
hereby enjoined by the Commissioners
to maintain strict fmpartiality with re-
spect to the threatened street car
strike.
Their duty is to preserve order and
to protect persons and property. In
this situation they must not take sides.
Remember that a police department
Is gauged by the acts of its individual
members. Your duty is to give the
best police service that is in you. Be
careful. Be alert. Do not be thought
less at any time.
Remember that it is better to talk
too little than too much. On or of
duty. a police officer Is the target for
the eyes Of the public. and II he does
not conduct himself in an ofi1cer-like
No Disorder Tolerated
an this strike situation. the same
as at all other times, disorder will not
be tolerated.
zen of Washington in any walk of life
is aw-abiding. II you find some one
VINO is thoughtlessly or otherwise vio-
latins the law or police regulations.
always warn him that such an act is
illegal unless the breach OF peace
should be serious: in serious cases you
should take proper police action
promptly
prompt obedience to orders from
headquarters is required. Demands or
requests from parties In interest must
be referred to headquarters, except In
cases of actual emergency.
every officer must exercise 1udg-
ment and conduct himself so that no
Just charge Of partiality can be made
"io about your work cheerfully. To
handle this situation properly. how
ever YOU must be Arm as well as good
natured. Disorder will not be toier-
ated."
On Duty Throughout the Night.
Mai. Pullman remained on duty
through the entire night, and this
by Inspector Grant. he toured the city.
visiting the several barns of the Wash
| ington Railway and Electric Company,
and looking along the car tracks, TO as.
! certain il there was any indication OF
| an effort on part of strikers or others
| to interfere with the property OF the
railway company.
| In the vicinity of 1st street and FLOR
| ida avenue. near the crossing qf the
| Florida avenue line Of the Capital
Traction Company. 1t was found tnat q
number of large cement powders had
| been placed on the tracks, TO impede
traffic, and the matches had been tam
pered with, it is thought, In an snort
to short-oircuit the system. The pres.
ence Of the obstructions was detected
| before daybreak and removed.
| At the several barns MAJ. pullman n
talked with captains, lieutenants and
| others on duty, saw strikers ana strike
breakers. and at daybreak was well
pleased with the general outlook Com
missioner Brownlow was at police
headquarters with the superintendent
of police last night. remaining until an
| early hour this morning.
Assignment Of Detectives.
The several detectives who were de-
tailed for duty at the car barns last
night and during the early morning
hours. Saturday night were excused
until II o'clock last night, when they
reported at headquarters and were
given assignments. Detectives Burlin-