The Washington times., 1919-08-24

government" Chairman Could, of the
subcommittee said. discussing the
! proposed inquiry.
Agree on Increase.
There is only one thing we are
agreed on and that is an increase in
pay for members Of the police de-
! partment.
"Our best efforts will be used in
taking up the slack, if there is any,
in certain branches of the District
government We want to cooperate
with the officials in perfecting a more
efficient system.
We will not conduct a prosecu-
tion. 1t will be an inquiry. This
is the seat of the national govern
/ ment; Congress annually appropri-
ates millions OF dollars for its up
keep: Congress wants light on how
il is expended and this committee
has been delegated to ascertain the
facts for the guidance OF the entire
BODY.
branches. have heard so many re-
ports, pro and con. Of the women's
bureau, a branch Of the police de-
partment, that the committee will
make a thorough investigation OF
that branch.
According to the construction now
placed on the law, il would be pos
sible to do away with men on the po-
lice force and substitute women"
says Mr.. Gould. 1T appears that
because the law does not make any
distinction as to sex. the officials in
charge have taken the position that
women may be put on the force if
men are not available.
Favor Amendment.
"There should be an amendment
that would place a limit on the num-
Der of women in the department, if
the wOmens bureau is to be con-
tinued in service"
Members Of the subcommittee and,
in fact many other members of the
House. do not take kindly to the
activities Of the legislative committee
OF the City Policemens Union. They
hold that il is unnecessary for the
pOlicement TO resort TO such tactics
10 get justice at the hands of Con-
gress.
cone member Of the legislative
committee has taken il upon himself
TO pay me d few calls" said Chair
when the investigation begins,
whether he is doing his IObbing while
on tour Of duty or whether on his
own time I do not want the police
men 10 get the mistaken idea that
such a policy is necessary. They can
rest assured that We viii do the very
best we can by them.
Up to the present time, no formal
request for an increase IN salary has
been made by members Of the Fire
Department, but We have anticipated
such a move and are prepared to in
cludc that question IN our inquiry.
i am unable to understand why
there are no vacancies in the fire de-
partmcnt that pays a smaller salary
than the Police Department, while
there are approximately eighty va
cancics IN the latter department.
Something Wrong"
There must be something wrong
somewhere, and the committee in
tends to find out what it is"
Commissioner Louis BrOwnlOw ex-
plains that the examinations for ap-
pointment to places in he Fire De
partmcnt is not so riglu as those in
condition that is interesting Chairman
Gould.
1t would he an easy matter. Mr..
BTOWnlDW says, 10 III up Jnt RANKS
Of the Police Department to it's full
quota Of $50. There are plenty OF
applicants, but the investigation OF
many Of the men shows they are
not men Of the high type Of charac-
ter that the Police Department de-
mands, he says.
Chairman Gould viii confer tomOr-
row with Senator Calder, chairman
Of a subcommittee Of the Senate Dis
trict Of Columbia Committee, which
has been named TO investigate the
police and other departments Of the
District government.
May Make Joint Probe.
j is probable that out of that con-
ference will come an agreement for
Joint investigation by the subcommit-
tees of the Senate and House.
The Mapes resolution, authorizing
the inquiry, is so worded as to pro-
vide for any emergencies. No mat
ter what new angle may develop in
the course OF the general inquiry, the
resolution will give the subcommit-
tees authority to investigate it at
length.
Commissioner BrOwnlow, president
Of the District Commission, and Major |
Pullman have volunteered their serv-
ices TO the subcommittee and an
nounced they will welcome a full and /