The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-08
NORRIS DEPl0RES
D|STRUST OF MEN
Says Year Has Been One of
Exceptional Trouble for
Police Department.
FARE MANY LEAVE RANKS
Criticism Impels Some, While
Eight Answer Call to Col
ors-Annual Election
Of Officers.

The Police Benevolent association
met In annual session yesterday after
noon listened to an interesting re-
port from its president, l.. z. Morris:
heard the report OF the treasurer read.
and following the transaction of
routine business. including the
adoption of amendments to its char
ter, elected officers for the ensuing
year.
Those elected were: From the First
district-Captain T. j. Mcmahon. Ser
geant c. NJ. Johnson, Sergeant w. l..
Bradley and Policemen NJ. y. Dugan
and +. A. Campodonica. Second dis
trict-Captain J.. w. Sheppard. Ser
geant w. B.. Whitlock n Policemen
j. +. Howell, J. j. Smith and j. X.
Tyler. Third district-Acting Desk
Sergeant NJ. J. Moore, Captain thinner
and Policeman J. v. Manning.
Motorcycle Officer Fred Williams
was elected treasurer of the associa-
ton.
The following from the First dis
trict were elected to the auditing COM
mittee: Sergeants w. A. Toler. S. w.
Holdcroft and A.. Il. Duke.
President Morris report follows:
Our gathering at this annual con-
vocation is significant for two reasons.
First, that we are still in the midst of
the horrible world conflict, which it
is hoped. will loon end in a righteous
and victorious peace. The second
reason is that this occasion marks
the twentieth anniversary of our asso-
lciation. 1t does not seem possible
that two decades have passed since
the birth of this organization, and
yet when the roll of its founders is
called we realize that our earthly
tabernacle Is indeed a transitory one.
for there re fau naplpG m that roll
of those who are still in active service.
Past Year a Trying One.
The past year has been one of ex-
ceptional trouble for the police de-
partment. 1t seems as II it were your
lot to be periodically singled out for
criticism, AS a citizen. / feel that the
community expects that you should
be above ~reproach. and rightly so.
because u lives and property are
in your hands and we must have an
abiding faith in the integrity of II
protectors. 1t Is. therefore, unfortu-
nate when exaggerated rumors spread
broadcast create an u~nfavorable
opinion concerning you, which
rumors. upon judicial investigation.
prove to be untrue. Constant nagging
rs unjust and ~discouraging to any one.
especially to a public officers. who
should be stimulated and commended
! in the performance Of his. duty. I
affirm, and it cannot be successfully
gainsaid, that our police force, as a
body, is honest and capable, and an
dispersion upon the entire force Is I'M
Z justifiahie simply because two or three
: men may come under SUSPICION.
: Every fair-minded citizen will depre-
: cate wholesale condemnation. recog-
: MIXING, as he must, that If there be
!, guilt anywhere the censure should
! fall upon those who deserve it and no
. others.
1t is not surprising that a number
a Of men have, during the past year,
= left the service. One reason is thal
:. under present abnormal conditions
a certain other occupations offer better
remuneration, and then, also, the men
A feel that they have not the proper
: sym pathy and cooperation Of their
n dition should be remedied at al
= hazards.
Purge Force OF Unfit.
During my entire connection witt
!, the assertion, / have consistent,
avoided any interference with the
r business of the department, confninf
n my efforts to the discharge of thu
4 duties of my office. I have always
tried to counsel and guide the aims
e of his body, and 1 urge that wher
n you see a brother officer departinl
e from the path Of rectitude you will
" TRY and turn him back. Before II /:
= too late whisper good counsel in hi,
ear and IL your efforts fail then see
s. to 1t that he leaves the force withou
scandal. You must not allow an,
: man to bring discredit upon the entire
: body.
r No matter how we may differ or
: questions of policy, when a PROPOSE
ton Is nee enacted into law it should
t be faithfully administered.
~ - a., IV,fty Ayy~-~
man to improve his condition,
strongly urge you to consider well he,
fore you give up a position which no
only affords you a livelihood now bu
also insures support in u declining
years. You may feel discouraged ant
= depressed at times. All of Is have
our difficulties and problems. The
point which needs to be very particu
larry borne in mind is that II yot
yield to the present extraordinary
lallurements and Withdraw from tn
a permanent d~isbarrAent from all the
d benefits OF your organization.
n What Association Has Done.
: What has this association done ir
Z twenty years? AS most OF you know
we started without a dollar; we have
neither asked NC received any ait
: whatever from city or state: and We
: nave day investments agEregattns
$4,000. This is a wonderful record
y Can you match 1t? We have paid Il
: our pensioners s40.469. Our monthly
! payments are now $40. and these e.
: to people many of whom would be
: entirely destitute without such aid
Do you not feel proud that you hav.
participated in the upbuilding OF thi.
work. and don't you rejoice that. after
all, the effort has been worth while
! What is the secret Of chr success
' The answer is easy: cooperation. un
selfshness and faithfulness. No SO,
ciety was ever conducted on more
altruistic lines. Not a dollar has beer
= loaned to our members; there Is ne
! overdue interest. and not a penny ha.
y been lost on principal nor any charge
4 made for service. Dur total expenses
including license. bonding OF treasu.
: rer and rent of safety deposit box
have averaged s33.87 per annum.
, However gratifying this exhibit, ",
caution against any action on your
part which may impair our future
efforts. The younger men are vital,
interested in this because their bene.
IA