Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-01
HOUSE COMMITTEE
. FOR POLICE RAISES
Especially Favors Substan-
tiaI Increases for Patrolmen
and Patrol Drivers.
TO REDRAFT MAPEs BILL

The House district committee went
on record today as favoring increases
in salary for the District police force
as provided in the Mapes bill, and
especially as intending to grant sub
staptial increases to the patrolmen
and patrol drivers. This Affirmative
action was taken in order to give en-
eouragement to the patrolmen and to
morale of the police force.
The committee realized that 1t will
be impossible to get action on the
bill before the recess which starts to-
morrow. but they wanted to make it
plain to the members of the police
ed, and that especial attention will be
given to those who are now receiving
low salaries. A definite motion to
this erect, proposed by Representative
Walters of Pennsylvania, was unani-
mously agreed to. The redrafting of
the bill so as to increase some salaries
above those now carried has been in
trusted to subcommittee of five.
Would Change Probation Period.
The committee also expressed itself
as DESTROYS of exchanging the proba-
ton period between grades of service
and in favor Of naming the patrol
drivers members of the police depart
ment under civil service.
A strong fight in the interests of
the thirty-five patrol drivers was
made by Representative Wheeler Of
Illinois with the strong support of
Representative Murphy of Ohio. It
was brought out that these men are
receiving a salary Of 5000 with
twelve hours day service, seven
days per week.
Commissioner Brownlow and Maj.
Pullman were before the committee
for short time and emphatically
approved the suggestion for an in
crease in salary for the patrol drivers.
Before the committee was called to
order there wal an informal discus
sion introduced by Representative
johnson Of Kentucky regarding pis-
tol-tating in the District. Representa-
tives johnson of Kentucky, Overstreet
Of Georgia, Murphy Of Ohio and other
members of the committee expressed
themselves strongly in favor of
strict measure to prevent the sale of
firearms in the District. Commissioner
Brownlow said. I'VE need very much
and to regulate the sale Of firearms
and angerous weapons"
Mr.. Brownlow Urges Action.
Mr.. Brownlow urged the committee
believed it would be helpful in build
ing up the morale sof the police de-
partment and improving conditions in
the National Capital. He said that
the Commissioners and Maj. Pullman
will welcome complete investigation
Of the police department.
Mr.. Brownlow said that the Mapes
bill represents the minimum Of what
the District officials believe is neces-
sary. He explained, in answer to
Representative Wheeler, that the pa
troll drivers are not taken care of in
amend the statute, and the salary of
the patrol drivers is not fixed by
statute, but they can be given more
money at any time in the discretion
of the appropriations committee.
Commissioner Brownlow said that
hxldg new salaries it will be necessary
to go before the appropriations COM
mittee to have money, appropriated and
that at that time he intends to take up
the question of increases for patrol driv-
ers and other .low-salaried employees in
Representative Wheeler charged that
there was a legislative committee Of
the policemen's organization which has
been for years fighting the patrol driv-
ers and opposing any efforts to make
them members Of the department
permanent basis or to give then in
creases In salary Representative
Woods Of Virginia was very anxious to
have a report made at once.
Representative Lampert Of Wiscon-
sin said in his opinion q minimum wage
in the police department should be IS
q day. but he was against any Increases
for the heads Of the department until
he had an opportunity to ind out more
about the department Representative
Murphy Of Ohio said he was in favor
Of making the minimum salary equal
to the maximum salary contained in the
Mapes bill and to mako the average
salary $500.