New-York tribune., 1920-05-13
Police Women
Win Same Rank
And Pay as Men
Governor Signs Bill Grant.
ing Them Equal Rights;
Approval of Measure
Continues the Reserves
Wanamaker Stays Head
Enright to Select Incumbent
of Newly Created Office
Of Marine Inspector
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

Spec'dI dispatch to The Tribune
ALBANY, May 12.-Equal rights for
women in the New York City Police
Department with those Of men were
granted to-day when Governor Smith
signed the Bowling bill changing the
title of police matrons to policewomen
and placing them at patrolmen's rank
and pay This is victory for the po
liceWomen who conducted a vigorous
campaign for this legislation.
Several other bills dealing with New
York City police affairs were approved
They include the Lockwood bill, per
retuating the police reserve and the
Burlingame bill creatn~ marine in
spector in the Police Department.
The pay of poHce matrons has been
that of station doorman. The Dowling
measure provides that time served as
police matron shall, Tor pension or
other purposes, count as if served as
policeWomen. The new law makes lao
other changes IN the status of women
members of the department. They viii
continue wearing the same uniform
and be subject to the fines and bene-
fits governing patrolmen.
The approval By the Governor of the
Lockwood bill continuing the life of
tho police reserves was not unexpected.
Rodman Wanamaker will continue as
special commissioner in charge Of this
organization.
The force may enlist up to 5000 men
for periods OF two years. The mem
bers of the organization serve without
pay. but are exempt from jury duty
In signing the blll Governor Smith
declared that the good work performed
by the organization since its creation
in 1917 has convinced him that it would
prove beneficial to New York TO have
the police reserve to draw upon should
an emergency arise.
Enri ght To Name Inspector
Commissioner Enright VII have the
selection Of a marine inspector of the
Police Department who is to Get 400
a year under the provision of the Bur
lingame bill 1t is stipulated that the
inspector must be selected from among
the members of the uniformed force.
The Governor also approved the
Wells measure making a police officer
who has held the rank Of sergeant foI
more than one year, eligible to lieu
tenancy if vacancy exists. Heretofore
it was necessary for a sergeant to have
held that rank for two years prior tC
time of promotion.
Provisions for increasing the number
Of policemen detailed to traffic duty is
made in another bill signed by the
Governor. This measure provides that
one-third of the entire force may be
men, as q, present provided. The Gov
ernor also signed the Bourke bill re-
ducng from two to one the number OF
policcment to be stationed at polling
places on election day
Other New York City bills signed
by the Governor to-day are:
The Burlingame bill, increasing the
salaries Of municipal court justices
from $4,000 to $4,000 year, with ex-
ception Of those of Richmond and
Queens boroughs, who are TO receive
S6 600 a year instead of $1,000. The
increase viii be met by the issuing OF
special revenue bonds
Aerial System Benefited
The Kelly measure, fixing the sal
aries Of clerks in grades 8, 8 and 10. OF
New y ork District Attorneys office
at S2,400. and those of clerks in grade
II at $Z,750.
The Walker bill, setting aside the
provisions Of that section of the New
York City Charter relating to the 49,
suance of certificates OF Indebtedness:
by providing that in 1920 the tota
shall not exceed $7,0OO,oO0. The law
fixes the limit at $2,00O,O 900. This act
was made necessary because of ex
penscs authorized by the Board of Es
innate and Appointment.
The Karl bill, paving the way fol-
development Of the plan for an aeria
defense system Tor New York Harbol
and the Atlantic coast by authorizing
the transfer Of certain lands unde1
water at Far Rockaway to the United
States Government. The land is tt
be used as q navy air station.
The McGarry bill, providing 70,
beaches along the Long Island coast
by permitting New York City to pur
chase lands now under water.
The Governor also signed the bill
increasing the quota for grand jur,
lists from 1900 to 500 talesmen.