Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-06
Member of the Associated Press
The Police Controversy.

Tonight the members of City Council
uiIl be addressed by Mr..E. Nj. DAVIS,
president OF the Voters Non-Partlsan
League, in advocacy of having the system
ui enforcing discipline adopted by the
Police Commission materially changed.
II comprises impositions Of fines OF
one or more days pay when punishment
more impressive than reprimand is deemed
necessary for infractions of duty. Those
who object to this plan believe some other
system should be adopted, instead Of one
that conpels the men 10 work for varying
periods during which time they will re-
ceive no money compensation.
The members Of the Police Commission,
however, arc opposed to a change in their
method Of inflicting punishment upon
offending policemen The SYSTEM Of i'm
posing money fines has been in force years
in some Of the best police departments Of
the country. and has been found by ex-
t,ericnce to be the best yet devised. That
discipline IS essential TO effective police
administration viii not be denied, and II IS
i fact that it cannot be enforced without
the aid OF effective penalties in all cases.
some men in police and kindred positions
seldom give occasion for the imposition Of
ucnalties in the enforcement Of discipline
but others are different
The situation, like SO many others at
this time, is largely affected by the eNi-
gencias OF the war, and those who oppose
the wage penalty point out the fact that
il is getting difficult TO secure good men
for the police force, by reason o. the much
larger cmolument il IS possible TO obtain in
industrial Establishments, with consider
ably shorter workdays. This has had
effect, and will continue to have effect.
Therefore, the proposition has been ad-
vanced in City Council 10 have the pay Of
the men increased. At present the graded
system OF salaries. ranging from $50 70
500 month. according TO experience and
term Of service. is in effect. This system
vas adopted after due consideration, as the
best for the police service of a community.
II Is not regarded as Just or practical
tn nav an lnexpe-icnccd man a. much a Is
,aceiyed by the rlcn Of experience and good
service, proposition that docs not seem
10 be open 70 dispute.
Tie members of the Police Commission
:.le not uInlndful OF prevailing ccnd-
tious. or q the need Of giving more pay
- the members Of the police force But
hey are wisely looking ahead, and are
,ssirous u adopting system that viii tit
ia with the changed conditions certain to
,urne after the war, instead of rcsortlng
what might be called war-conditlon
,,nDru-ation "a. thi, ;I,ne. which It would
f.. exceedingly difficult 10 change after
vsri-. no matter how conditions may be
changed -yl,h lowering values and large
iucion IA the cost oi living when the
var comes to an end and general conditions
-ougliou or terribly distressed world
become normal once more.
T. III, end. the meinbers OF the Police
tru44i-,iun have made proposition TO
'.ty Councl for IN extra appropriation
aat voIlI enablc them to establish 3
l-.uu- -vstein ii extra pay for the police
5I..n about IS per cent-to be bestowed
.riy and appropriately among he men,
~ a. - nperat" % . iusteT compensation
Ior theIn ia these times Of high cost oi
wing Under such q system, they believe
the matter ii Just compensation could be
much more easily adjusted after the return
ot normal times, with fairness 10 all con
cerncd
To tins proposition the City Council
should give honest and careful considera.
ton, and then adopt it. instead Of resort.
ing 70 a plan Of radical increase at thi,
time, with equal pay for all patrolmen
regardless of service or efficiency. City
Council may easily become possessed o
iull information in respect Of this PROPOSE
ion, and realize how much better i
would be than the plan proposed, and alsc
how much better it would be than. 4
.D0iish the present system Of enforcing
discipline BY suitable penalties, which ha
been. Us VIC have said, fully justified b,
long experience IN many Of the best ant
largest police departments Of the country
This is business proposition, and on
which should appeal TO the members Of tn
City Council, who should not hrget the,
have the interests Of the cntirecity ID thei
charge. and should deal fairly and justl.
with all Of them. Let the men be given
bonus that will accord with the prcsen
unusual conditions, instead Of adopting
plan that Te.I.d not meet these condition
satisfactorily an4 would threaten 70 inter
iere seriously with u hers that arc sure I
coIne.
There ls not the slightest suggestion &
partisan politics IL the proposition ad
vancod by the Police COMMISSIONS;
They have only concern in giving TO th