Evening star., 1919-09-23
INQUIRY Y|NT0P0[|CE'
POLICY SUGGESTED
Chairmen Gould and Mapes
Have Letters Regarding De-
partment Administration.
ASK AS TO JUSTIFICATION

Suggestion that the special subcom-
mittee of the House District commit
tee. Of which Representative Gould
of New York is chairman proposes to
make inquiry into the administration
of the police department came at the
very close of the hearing today. at
which Maj. Pullman and Commission
er Brownlow testified in regard to
proposed increases for all employees
of the District police department.
When Chairman Gould suggested
adjournment until tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock he said that there were
a number of communications in re-
ment of the law which had been re-
ceived by Chairman Mapes of the Dis
trict committee and by himself.
which he thought should be given
consideration. Representative Wheel
er of Illinois raised the question
to go into any other matter than the
question of salary increases. Mr..
Gould replied: ut is question
whether the increases are justified If
handled"
EmpnatlC statements tHdI iliCi oeoeS
in salary all along the line in the
police work of the District are inn
perative were made by both Maj. Pull
man and Commissioner BrownloW ana
assented to by several members OF
the subcommittee. Chairman Mapes
of the full committee sat in with the
subcommittee during the hearing.
Mai. Pullman suggested an amend
ment which would provide for reduc-
ing the period of probation for pro-
motion between the minimum and
maximum grades from eight to three
years, with regular promotion from
grade to grade at the end OF each year.
Inquired as to Mounted Force.
Representative Wheeler inquired
particularly regarding the allowance
made to the mounted horse police for
the purchase and care of their
mounts. and Representative johnson
of Kentucky joined in this discussion.
On questions by Chairman Gould,
that ali Of the suggested increased
salaries were figured in addition to
the bonus of $240. He said that this
would make a total increase of be-
tween 100000 and s2s5,ooo.
sylvania asked If with these proposed
increases he expected to get better
class of policemen. Maj. Pullman ex-
planned that the department always
required men up to rigid standard.
but that such men are being enticed
from the service by offers of larger
salary outside. He explained that
there are now thirty-one vacancies
on the police force, but that no more
permanent appointments can be made
because these positions are being held |
for men who went into the military
service. At one time during the year
the department borrowed 16o limited
service men from the War Depart
every ten examined was able to pass
the police department, examination.
Expects to See Salary $4,000.
Representative Walters asked If the
proposed increase would be sufficient
to enable the men to meet the in
creased cost of living. Maj. Pullman
said it would be big help. He then
declared his belief that policemen
should be the best paid of any public
employees and that eventually he ex-
pected to see all policemen in Wash
ington receiving a salary of $4,000.
Chairman Gould asked for sugges-
tions regarding increases in salary for
other employees of the department than |
covered in the bill originally offered to
the committee which prompted the
pIcScut IcdIlHS. SOuliIiiSSlOHcT bTO"H-
low explained that the original bill
merely cared for those employees as
provided for in the act of 1906. He
said that there were many other en-
ployes of the department who should
be given increases to get the kind of
service that the public demands
Commissioner Brownlow suggested
a radical change with respect to the |
police surgeons, four in number, who |
are now receiving $40. The bill un-
der consideration provides an increase
to $1,0SO He urged that they should
receive $2.400 a year and explained
who are allowed to do outside work, !
get $500. Commissioner Brownlow
pointed out to the committee these
surgeons care for both the police and
fire departments and make the physi-
cal examinations of all applicants.
There are 1900 men in both depart
ments, he said, and the police sur
geons give at least 60 per cent of their
time to this work. He paid tribute |
to the efficiency of the present board
of surgeons. who are men of extensive
DIR. Sawtelle, formerly with the Dis
trict National Guard. who served with
the Rainbow Division in France, and
Dr. KiIroy who examined more than
40, 900 for the draft.
Other Increases Suggested.
Commissioner Brownlow suggested
other increases in salary in addition
to those covered in the bill as follows:
For the chief clerk and property clerk,
an increase from $4,000 to $4,000.
When questioned regarding the re-
spon s;hilitv of this DOSition Commits