The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-26

they must take the necessary steps to
assure entire and complete independ-
ence of the police department. ~
They approve heartily of the prin-
ciple of collective bargaining and they
welcome the organization of members
OF the police force for purposes of col
lective representation, mutual support
and organized effort TO increase their
salaries or improve their working con-
ditions.
They must, however. withhold their
consent from any project to connect
such an organization of members of
the police department with any other
labor organization. n
The fact that the policemen's Union
Is bound by a 'no-strike' provision Is an
earnest OF the intention of Its members
not to resort to a strike as a weapon
Of compelling it's demands but II II be
affiliated with other organizations which
do contemplate the use of a strike IN
an emergency every member OF the po-
lice force who ista member OF the union
would be liable to the charge, however
falsely made, OF favo' ism In the per-
dustrial trouble involving the ~organi-
zation with which VI is affiliated,
Authority, especially here IN the ma
tional capital at all times must be rep
resented by a police force that has no
connection with any organization but
tho constituted agencies OF the govern
ment.
This decision must not be interpre-
ted to mean hat the commissioners
are opposed to labor organizations, nor
must 1t be taken to mean that they
are unwilling to meet representatives Of
any organization OF policemen. 1t Is
only what IL purports to be--a state
ment OF The decision of the commits
sioners hat the organization Of police
men, "A body of men sworn TO enforce
the law i%mpartiallly, under all circum-
stances, must be an organization of
policemen and nothing more: that 1t
must not be connected with any other
labor organization"
Naturally the foregoing doesn't please
Frank Morrison Of the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor, who argues that the
policemen want to Organize for their
own peculiar needs and without re-
gard TO other bodies, But the poten-
tial difficulties have been foteseen by
the local commissioners not only but
mayor OF other cities who have come
to Washington for advice. 1t Is felt
that in the event of a strike, public
confidence in the police authorities
would be weakened, because OF the APP
prehension that the police would be
one-sided. Strike-breaking by the use
/ of other employees might be subject to
obstacles involving he ~sympathies Of
policemen because OF their affiliation or
OUTSIDE allegiance ana the opinion seems
to prevail that irrespective OF whether
strike-breaking is good or bad for a
community Irrespective of the merits OF
any future controversy that may arise
in industry, the visible arm OF public
authority should not be In any way
subject to outside influence or re-
straint.
Probably the example Of the district
commissioners viii be followed else
where in the United States and be re-
garded as a national precedent because
3 was adopted with the theoretical
Sanction at least of the president who
appoints the commissioners. The OBJ
lection here Is not against the posi-
hility of a sudden strike by the police
because federal troops would always be
available for duty in the District oi
Columbia. Nor is there the slightest
/ objection TO the affiliation by govern
ment clerks, firemen or employees OF
the federal departments In Washington
with the American Federation of La
Dor as many OF these organizations al
ready have affiliated. But the police
must remain entirely free, They car
have an organization of their own tc
secure benefits In pay or working con
ditions and such an organization will
be formally recognized by the commits
sioners. But the police authority itself
must remain independent and inviolate.
copyright, 1919, by The News Scimi-
tnr1