The Washington times., 1919-09-04

The acute police issue in Washington is the wage paid
10 policemen beggary salary paid to good men entitled
10 money for the positions they occupy and the sa
ices they make.
This problem is entirely aside from the outcome Of the
issue raised by afaOn of the poCemens union with the
American Federation Of Labor
Whistler the unions affiliations are broken up by the
District Commissioners sustained by the courts there
be good and sufficient police force in Washington
There must be men on that force who are efficient and
true They must be paid enough to maintain themselves
and their families in reasonable comfort.
This police force must not be made up by indiscminate
selection Of applicants Physically and mentally policemen
must be above the average Their past records must be
clean
Men Of this type cannot be obtained or continue to be
obtained for the pul salaries they now receive The high
paid private after eight years Of service receives S11O
month out Of which he must buy each year than
800 worth Of uniforms and equipment
Men who are asked to enter the service are now offered
the Of $50 month For this they are expected risk
their lives subject themselves all sorts weather and
70 long hours and be available for duty tWenyfOur
hours day.
Since 1905 the policemen have received increase in
basic pay amounting to $40 month Since that date the
cost Of living has risen at terrific rate In the last three
years various Government estimates place the increase in
the cost Of necessities in Washington between 80 and 81 per
cent
That situation constitutes WashingtOns real police
problem.
Senator Calder of New York, member Of the Senate
District COMMITTEE has placed himself on record as being
unwilling to settle the question Of pOcemens salaries here
until the have withdrawn from their connection with
the American Federation Of Labor
The Senator's method may be justified by political
iahics
But it is not SQUARENESS and JUSTICE to men who
are entitled to better pay.
The District Commissioners went before the House Dis
ic Committee shortly after the recent riotng here and
presented forcefu arguments favor Of better salaries for
these guardians Of life and property
AL right" the Congressmen answered in one voice
eve viii raise the pOcemens wages" And they started
70 do it.
Then some one threw a monkey wrench into the ma
ehney Charges and insnuaons were made not against
the policemen but against officials of the department the
system Of obtaining and promoting men, and other things
which had nothing to do with the wage of the private
policeman.
square deal for the In uniform was sidetracked
for proposed investigation of the police force-n fact the
whole District Government This investigation if it is
ever made may bring to light some surprises
But viii be surprise to tell the people of Washing
ton and the the police force that they are underpa
Justice requires that action on salaries for Washington
police be taken AT ONCE not winter after full and
complete inquiry has developed the obvious fact that the
cost Of living is high and salaries are low.
There is halfway compromise between Justice and
injustice. The real problem is
ARE YOU GOING TO PAY THE POLICEMEN A
LIVING WAGE Or ARE YOU NOT?
sup to Congress to that justice is done and done
promptly.