The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-21

Vice President Marshall was ex-
actly right. In the opinion of compe-
tent District authorities today, when
he said that the reason for an in
adequate police force in Washington
is the low pay given the men. Ne
police force in the world Of the pres
unt size OF that in this city is physi-
cally competent to cope with condi-
tons general in a city "a Sot less
than 100000 population.
The force cannot be kept up to it's
maximum on the pay now allowed by
Appropriations made by Congress IS. 1t
never will be at that maximum 1t
has been short Of the maximum as
much as 14o men at various times and
Is today short about eighty men. New
men are joining, it is true. most OF
Lhem soldiers who have no other OPP
portunities, but others leave as some
thing better offers.
tame True Of Other d. c. Employees.
Congress made no increase of the
force for three or four years until the
present appropriation bill provided
about thirty-fve new men for guard
Ing the legations for foreign govern
ments to prevent unpleasant Incl
dents and international complications.
No increase for guarding the lives
and properties Of the people Of the
District, now 100000 more in num-
Der than prior to the war when the
force was OF the same maximum num-
Der IS at present, with no vacancies.
All privates, sergeants, lieu
tenants, captains, and other officers
are 80 badly underpaid that they have
difficulty IN meeting the necessities
Of life for themselves and families.
The same thing is true of fremen,
watchmen, school teachers. and thou
sands of other employees Of the Fed
eral and District governments.
Pr0vogt Guard Needed.
Until June Is last the police force
Of Washington had help from q large
provost guard. in maintaining order.
That was withdrawn at that date.
Before its withdrawal Major Pull
man. superintendent OF Police, wrote
20 the military authorities express
ing regret that IL was to sbe with
3rawn and declaring its discontinu-
Ence was unfortunate.
Washington is filled with discharg-
ID soldiers Experience has demon
t,trated that the idle soldier, fun Of
energy. is sure to get into trouble If
there is any in sight The same ex-
T'erience shows him to have a whole
Iome regard for military discipline.
lie will give ground in the presence
Of a provost guard, even if q dis
rharged man. Only an overwhelming
police reserve causes him to halt.
It is impossible, with the limited
force OF Washington, TO have the nee
,ssary reserve, unless men are kept
n duty for twenty-four hours.
So long as this city is the center for
discharged men, few Of them having
.ny concern about law and order here.
r. provost guard is going 20 be neces-
Fsry.
It is we'll known to all employment
AGENCIES Of the Governmen both
War Department and Labor, that
thousands Of discharged soldiers
from the States are in Washington
reekinE employment. 1t lis not here
for them. There are NOT, enough po-
ritions for District men who were in
the service
The employment bureau Of the War
Department, located in Room Il of
the Council of Nationh al Defense
building. Is doing its ut most, when
coming in contact with these jobless
men, to urge them to go to their own
homes, where work is awaiting many
~ them, but there is no way Of com
relling them to Leave Many OF them
lave no money TO pay their railroad
rares They spent their $50 bonus for
civilian clothing and are stranded.
An increase Of crime, rather than
=, decrease, is the prospect here, in
the opinion of veteran policemen to-
day.
wouldn't you pay q quarter 10 buy