Evening star., 1919-09-26
|PO[|CE TO remain
| WITH LABOR UNION
Vote to Await Decision of
Court Before Needing Com
missioners' Order.
WANT CHIEF FROM RANKS

members or the Policemen'S Union
are going to stand pat" in connec-
tion with their affiliation with the
american Federation of Labor until
the District courts have passed upon
the question as to whether they are
in contempt of the law in such affili-
alton against the orders of the Dis
trict Commissioners.
This was decided upon by the DO
licemen at special meeting last
night at Musicians Hall, 1905 E
street. The Commissioners some time
ago ordered the policemen to with
draw from the union. There was a
lengthy discussion on the subject, aft
er which the 500 or more men in at
tendance voted to await the court
action.
Qualifications for Police Head.
The union wants a major and super
mtendent of police who has served
not less than three years as a patrol
man IN the department. 1t was decided
10 take this matter to Congress in
the form of a bill that the union will
bring influence to have enacted into
law. 1t was decided also to seek a
change by legislation providing for
only two classes Of privates, to be
known as class one and class two, all
promotions to be made based strict
ly upon merit.
An amendment to the Constitution
was also unanimously adopted that
provides that the union will not take
part in any strike to secure its de-
mands or participate in a sympathetic
strike OF any kind. The amendment
reads: This union will not resort to
any recourse such as the strike to en-
by this union" s- -
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
american Federation of Labor, and
representing that body with r. s.
Saxton of the American Federation
OF Labor legislative committee, ad-
dressed the meeting from the organ
lied labor viewpoint of the demand
of the District Commissioners. and
Wilton j. Lambert, attorney for the
union. discussed the legal points. Mr..
Morrison asked the members of the
union to remain firm in their alleei-
ance to the American Federation of
Labor, but said that il the courts de-
cided that the policemen do not DOS
sess the right to affiliation with the
american Federation of Labor
that organization would release them
from their obligation of allegiance.
Reforms in Trial Board,
Another matter disposed of during
he evening was the approval of a
motion demanding reforms in the DO
lice trial board that would change
the personnel of that body to be COM
posed of two police captains and an
attorney, to be named on request
llther by the Board of Trade or the
Shamber of Commerce. Recent de-
:fsions by the police trial board. be-
.pre which members of the force
nave been tried. have been of such
In unfair and unjust nature, the po-
'icemen say, that this reform is de-
.nanoed In the name of Justice,
Six new members were admitted tn
the organization. President L. r Draa.
ser said the adoption of the amend
ment 10 the constitution which carries
ne non-strike clause was made to give
assurance that the organization wo,,ld
not participate in a strike.
. MAJ PULLMAN, superintendent of mo-
nee. when seen by a. Star Representa-
1--we at headquarters following the |
folournment of the policemen's union
meeting said that the attitude Of the
1nion removed the last hone that |
congress would give them the in |
srease In salaries that he and the |
District Commissioners had been
2usning and which up to the time of |
ne attitude assumed by the union |
mere was every hope would become |