The Washington herald., 1919-09-25
Mclean TO TESTIFY
ATPOLICE HEARING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
at the hands OF certain persons who
oppose the police because OF tieir
active prosecution OF vice.
Mrs. Van winckIe made it plain
that her police rank is that of de
tective sergeant" 1t also was made
plain by Commissioner Brownlow
that there is nothing in the law of
1906 requiring a sex qualification to
be appointed to the Washington po-
lice force. 1t was inferred, there
fore. that should the entire force
be within the law.
Mrs. Van Winckle. on the advice
OF Commissioner Brownlow, stated
that Edward B. Mclean had threat
ened In her presence to close the
Women's Bureau because lie disap-
proved OF II. and ii had interfered
with a particular case in which he
was interested. Samuel Small there
upon requested that Mclean be heard
in response to Mrs Van winckle's
allegations. 1t was arranged that he
shall appear before the committee
at lO:S0. o'clock tlis morning.
VIII Name Thirty PoIieewomen.
Commissioner Brownlow announced
that he would not ask the Appropria-
tons Committee for money to con-
tnue during the next fiscal year the
women's bureau, as II will be his
policy to enlarge the bureau by ap-
pointing thirty policewomen.
Chairman Gould brought out that an
active propaganda had been conducted
with the view OF maintaining the
women's bureau and in defense of
Maj. Pullman. 1t was conducted
mostly through women's suffrage as
sociations in the States. Commits
sioner Brownlow admitted that Mrs.
Van Winckle had Travelled consider
ably to interest other cities in the
work of women's bureaus. She learn
ed Of the attacks on the police depart
ment while in other cities.
Mrs. Van WinckIe said she had ad-
vised Mclean to ''go to it" when he
threatened to put the women's bureau
out of business. She acknowledged
having sent letters, approved by Mai
Pullman. TO let the women Of the
country know the work We are do
ing"
Omcers Treated as yassaIs.
The entire session Of the Senate
subcommittee considering the Myers
resolution was occupied in the exam
Ination of President Gompers. He
started out by declaring that the
policemen in various cities have
been treated as vassals rather than
as human beings, and dismissal faced
them whenever they sought justice.
Because of this condition sixty-rive
unions of policemen have since last
June applied to the American Fedora
ton of Labor for charters.
Mr.. Gompers regarded the Myers
resolution as an attempt to place d
stigma upon the A. F. of l. He
said labor problems can be solved
without Congress enacting another
prohibitory law. He declared Thou
shalt not seems to be the order of
the day. and charged Congress with
having enacted too many unjust
prohibitory laws. He emphasized
that there is no power in the A. f
of L. to order strike of policemen.
The action of the policemen in form
ing unions was voluntary. Thirty
three charters have already been
granted to policemen's unions The
present membership of the A. F. of
l. is nearly 100000, but with the
proposed affiliation of the railroad
FOLOShcAhNONS ~ wiz eSloI apOuI r.
500. 900.
Policemen of Washington are to
be thrown into the street because
they have dared to organize and af-
tiliate with the A. +. of l." Mr..
GOmpers declared bitterly, "an or
ganization that was 100 per cent de-
voted and loyal to the public during
the war"
Cannot Join FraternIties.
President Gompers asserted that the
policemen of Boston are only permit
ted to be members of three organiza-
tions-the G. A R. Spanish War Vet
erans and American Legion. They can
not become members of the Masonic
fraternity. Knights OF Columbus. Odd
Fellows or other fraternal bodies.
As to the participation of the A. F.
of 1. in politics. Mr.. Gompers asserted
its right to carry its activities into
amy lawful arena" He admitted he
had signed kilograms, and so on, to
influence votes. in certain districts. In
the event that Congress opposes the
organization of Washington policemen.
Mr.. Gompers admitted, the records of
the Congressman opposing such organ
ization will be sent out without COM
ment.
He asserted that there would be no
danger of a policemen's strike in
Washington because of their affilia-
ton with the A + of l.