The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-21
KLL,D0N'T ARREST,
IS CHICAGO ORDER
Two Bandits a Week Slain by
Police Since Cleanup
Was Started.
--------------
NO UNSOLYED MURDERS
PAYROLL Holdups Stopped rs
Chief Puts All Patrolmen
at Work on Streets.
NO UNSOLYED MURDERS

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HnnLu.
CHICAGO Dec. 20.---"My orders TO po-
licemen are not to arrest gunmen and
crooks who are caught in the net of
plying their trade of lawlessness. but
to shoot them dead in their tracks.
That's the reason the Chicago police
have.been killing Oh an average OF two
week since / took Office Novem-
Der H."
Police Chief Fitz- Morris so remarked
to-day in cae'lng attention 20 the fact
that there has not been an unsolved
murder In Chicago in the last month
or payroll holdup in the last six
weeks. The cells OF the detective bu-
reau are filed to overfiowing and
the Police Department has obtained
enough convictions OF criminal cases
to break the record of prisoners at the
Bridewell.
Most police departments" said the
chief, "are organized on the wrong
basis. They are organized only to fight
crime. have reorganized this one as
a crime preventive machine as well. l
believe the first duty of the police de-
partment is TO prevent crime.
More Emcient Patrol.
II believe the strongest factor 70
prevent crime Is the uniformed police
man patrolling the street ! began by
abolishing soft snaps IN the depart
ment, the special details and the swivel
chair Jobs. placed 1000 more men
on the street Immediately after getting
an ordinance whereby I could take q
detective and place him in uniform.
"T'he modern policeman must function
on different lines than the copper OF
Yesterday. He must prevent crime, and
IL he is successful in this respect il
won't be necessary FOR him 10 catch
criminals.
"The next thing did was to put the
responsibility for the district on the com
handing officer OF that district. gave
him the right TO pick his own plnll
clothes men. subject OF course to my
approval. have a card index system
81 every patrolman in the city. i re-
ccive daily report OF each man. the
crimes committed on his beat and all
other details of interest in connection
with his work IN that way ] can see
whether there IL recurrence OF crimes
on certain patr1men's beats. II clini-
mates all chance of collusion between
the policemen and crooks.
The patrolman is the basis of police
department. lie IL a cog in an intricate
machine, and no must be satisfactory
cog
Chicago covers zoo square miles and
we have but 5000 men In the entire de-
partment OF this number $50 are de-
tailed to downtown traffic. Counting out
the ether Jobs. that leaves the 1900 men
10 cover the town.
"T am not asking for more men. !
could use them. but do not want any
more mon unless I can get more pay for
the ones have"
Four Motor JuRgcrnauts.
In reorganlzing the department chief
FItz-Morris has abolished the rife There
are no more rifle squads.
u ann using the fastest automobiles /
can get 20 convey the detectives up close
to the bandit so that he can use his re-
volvers." tho chief said. "I have Just
placed In commission four high powered
cars manned by the crack shots Of the
Police Department. They can overtake
any automobile bandit gang that at
tGmpts getaway once they are on lts
trail Tho bath tub speeders employed
hy the New York Police Department are
a Joke. What's the Use OF the police
chasing thieves and crooks in n convey
ance that is licked before II starts
"Our cars report every thirty minutes
10 headquarters. They patrol the loop,
the south. west and north sides Of the
city. The moment crime is committed
and reported we arc In communication
with one OF these motor juggernauts and
We are on the scene In flash. The sys-
-.
Continued on Si1th Page
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