The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1920-09-17
STATE POLICE
| HAVE BIG YEAR
ANNUAL REPORT SHOWS. STATE
TROOPERS HAVE PERFORMED
VARIED SERVICES ~ EN-
FORCING LAW.
WORK HAS GROWN GREATLY

A revelation OF the great scope OF
the work Of the Michigan State Police
is given In the report recently made
by Major Robert q. Marsh. command
ant, to Governor Sleeper. This shows
that the troopers on patrol and special
assignments have travelled an aggre.
gate of 597.974 miles during the
twelve months and visited more than
1000 towns and villages.
That the money expended for the
maintenance Af this force Is not en-
tirely net oufgo is evidenced by the
fact that the nney-collected In state
and county courts in cases brought
by the State Police amounted to $780,
476.50 and in the federal courts the
fines were $75,500. Altogether. 4.568
persons were required to take out IL
censes of various kinds. Stolen goods
OF value Of $4,000 were recovered.
In u monetary way. however, the
greatest accomplishments Of the
force were of q preventative nature.
Putting out forest fires. preventing de-
struction of property. breaking UP in
cipient race riots, protecting banks
and other business establishments In
the smaller cities and villages. guard
ing orchards from raiders and similar
services bulk large In potential saw
ing of loss,
During the year 1.046 arrests were
made for almost every crime from
murder down. OF those arrested 852
were convicted during the year, IS
cases were pending. 80 prisoners had
been turned over to other officers and
only 10 were discharged. This proves
that the State Police were exceeding.
ly careful In the arrests made.
Whisky Traffic Fought.
A constant attempt was made to
stop bootlegging and moonshining.
Liquor amounting to 22,595 gallons.
of an estimated value Of $4,000. was
seized and So stills were destroyed.
Two members of the force were seri.
ously injured in battles with liquor
runners. Particular activity was dis
played in breaking up Illicit distilling
after 1t was proved by analyses that
most OF the homemade whisky Is pol
sonous In nature and likely to cause
death II taken in any quantity.
Much has been done by the troop
ers to make the highways OF the state
more safe and the arrest Of speedYHR
has also protected the macadam and
gravel roads which are torn up by
reckless drivers.
Protection was extended to a num-
Der of towns which had been the suf-
ferers from gangs Of criminals who
ueed motor cars in their raids and
these raids were effectually stopped.
Many gambling resorts were raided
by the State Police and the crooked
gamblers forced to close up. while
their apparatus was seized and de-
stroyed.
Police Made Investigations.
Investigations were made for the
attorney-general and other state Of
ficers. Assistance was given to storm
swept districts and many citizens
were also given aid when they were
found Ill or injured on the highways
by the troopers.
State Police are forbidden to dis
cuss religion or politics, are told to
give warning rather than to use fore
jbie measures wherever law violation
appears to be due to ignorance or
heedlessness and are instructed to
render every aid possible at all times
to women. children and persons In
distress.
Larger Force Needed.
In conclusion. Major Marsh reports:
THE impossibility OF protecting the
rural districts Of territory covering
forty-two thousand square miles. prac.
tically without police protection en-.
cept that furnished by the state Pc.
lice, and Of complying with the two
thousand. Ave hundred and one 70.
quests for assistance received durins
the past year and which are constant.
" Increasing as the force 10 becomine
known. With force Of only two hum
dred and four officers and men thu
must be acknowledged and does NOT
admit of argument. Although the