Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-07
Richmond and Its Police

A POLICEMAN in a large community is
a certainly the most indispensable of oil
public servants" and You need no other
organization" two statements made by l.. H.
Morris in his annual report to the Police
Benevolent Association. are fraught with sig
nificance to the people OF Richmond who
will take the trouble to compare police con-
ditions here with those in many other cities,
notably in Boston, where the Bolsheyist seed
has taken root. The first is significant, not
because it expresses anything not already
known, but because, knowing 1t, the Rich
, mond policemen realize the dignity of their
positions as guardians of the public law and
order, and in consequence inyiolability of
their public trust has been made their primo
care even above personal considerations.
You need no other organization" conveys
the assurance that unionization or other mod
ern method adopted by private labor could
do nothing for the local officers that has not
been done already for their present and
future welfare, and through the beneicent
efforts OF their own organization and it's
practical results. Richmond will be spared
the sorry spectacle Boston has Witnessed of
its sworn law qua rdians organizing to defy
che law and turning the city over to law
violators. 1t is not that such condition
could have come upon Richmond, but the
future always is uncertain, and this organi-
cation. which belongs to policemen them
selves, is dependable anchor against evil
them
The Police Benevolent Association is
unique and wonderfully successful, thanks
TO the men themselves and the directors who
have guided its destines. Founded in an
unpretentious way, its purpose being to pro-
vide pensions for policemen grown old in the
service-for their pay from the city is not
sufficiently large to enable them to lay aside
the rainy day. competence-it has grown
through wise management until now it Of
fers freedom from worry over the future to
every policeman who is faithful to his trust.
The figures are surprising to those who have
not kept in close touch with its affairs. To-
day, according to the report of Mr.. Morris,
1t has investments totaling 100000 and
from the interest retirement pensions and
benefits are paid. No encroachment is made
on the principal The officers and directors
receive nothing for their services, no aid
from city or State ever has been sought,
nor in the twenty-one years of its existence
has single penny of interest or principal
been lost. 1t is remarkable record that
tells OF unflagging devotion in the past, and
1t bespeaks uninterrupted and even greater
success in the years to come.
More than is seen in the purely financial
aspects of the association, 1t has become
bond between the policemen and the public
they serve Many citizens, attracted by the
cltys efficient police service, have become
members and this number will continue to
grow so long as that service commands their
admiration. Richmond is peculiarly fortu-
nate in the personnel of it's police force, and
especially so when it is considered that their
pay is hardly commensurate with the long
hours, the devotion to duty, the unselfshness
and the personal risks that are demanded
OF both officers and men. 1t has ample reason
for its pride, and that is why it congratulates
them on the success of their association and
comments it to the attention Of other cities
which as yet have found no solution for their
police difficulties