Evening journal., 1919-11-04

The citizens OF Wilmington in meet
ing assembled, pursuant 10 the call Of
the mayor. adopted the following reso-
lutlons:
Resolved. That it Is the sense Of
this meeting that the Police Pension
Fund should be raised 10 an amount
sufficient to guarantee a suitable re-
ward for faithful service 10 retiring
members Of the force; that 70 is es-
,ential at this time TO give this guar
intoe in order TO insure the cOniinu-
snce OF the present membership OF the
force, and 60 secure the additional OIL
GERS required TO properly police the
city; that the good order OF this COM
munity and the protection OF our
homes and families are in the largest
measure dependent upon the efficiency
and vigilance Of our policemen; and
hat all good citizens be called upon 10
support the campaign for the Police
Pension Fund now in progress by con-
iributing literally and by urging others
70 contribute.
The above resolution was adopted at
a meeting held in Parlors A and B Of
the Hotel dupont last evening, when
eighty-nve representatives Of the city
government, as well as men in every
walk Of life. gathered In response 10 a
call by Mayor Taylor. The meeting
was addressed by Mayor Taylor. Col.
george A. Elliott, Charles Topkis, Frank
ODonnell. j. Edward McNabb, John :.
Rossell and others.
Mr.. Rossell. who is treasurer OF the
Police Pension Fund Campaign, WAS
ihe principal speaker. lie said:
II can't be possible that the people
~ Wilmington understand the purpose
0f the Police Pension Fund campaign;
otherwise, the subscriptions would be
more numerous, and IN each individual
ease for a larger amount
1T is fair 10 assume that every law
hiding citizen Is anxious that the pO-
ice force should be in al respects an
mclent and vigilant body. In order 70
nave such a force, 10 Is essential that
ihe members be qualified for the per-
Torrance Of the difficult and hazardous
duties devolvlng upon them. Each
member should know that his efforts
are appreciated by the people. and that
he people are back Of him, and Will at
fll times give him the support he re-
Iuires.
What are the facts with respect TO
The force as now constituted? There
is no question as 70 the personnel. II
Is the equal OF the best force in The
country. but lt Is inadequate 10 give
he protection 10 life and property that
IS necessary 10 the peace Of The com
munlly. The present authorized
strength of the force is one hundred
and niieen. 70 should be at least one
hundred and twenty-five 10 is now
iwenty-four men short, and 70 has been
found practically impossible, under ex-
sting conditions. TO recruit the force
% ITS fun strength. Why2 Because
here Is no incentive for young man.
who is capable Of performing the duties
u a policeman, 70 Join the force. He
.an DO better in many other lines Of
activity
Now, " the result Of this campaign
shows that the people care nothing
about the force. that they are unwill-
ing 10 give 10 the assurance that it
should have the question would seem
20 be settled DisintegrauOn win con-
nue. and those who remain on the
force will feel that they haven't the
support OF the very people they are
expected to protect.
"The purpose OF this campaign is 10
both strengthen the present force, and
10 make it worth while for deserving
men TO Join, TO nh up the ranks. and
TO take the places Of those who must
sooner or later be retired. Various
plans OF accomplishing this were dis
cussed before the campaign was inaug-
urated. A bond issue was proposed,
but this could not have been made
without special legislation, which
would have caused a delay Of more
than a year. even II it could have been
finally passed against the opposition
that would doubtless have been raised.
Direct taxation was suggested. but
with The present high assessment and
the necessary increase In the already
hurdens0me tax rate, this plan was
deemed impracticable In The final
analysis. those who passed upon the
subject, decided that the most desir-
able way TO bring about the best re-