Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-01-01
Salem Police
Force to Remain

Continued from page one)
dental expenses of the department
This is the outside sum which we
can allow the police department
during the year and it will not al
low any increases in the personnel
of the force, Or any increase in the
of police officers. The in
stalation of a police call box sys-
tenn at this time is out of the ques-
ton"
Rotating Fund Suggested.
What the fate of Chief AIoffitt's
suggestion that all fines paid into
the city's Golfers upon arrests made
by the police department be paid
into police rotating fund, will be
was not known by Mayor Halvor-
sen. but he predicted that the pro
posal would meet with stiff oppo-
sition on the ground that it would
rob the general fund of consider
able money. Chief Moffitt's plan
would make this money available
only for police purposes, such as
needed equipment and
meeting the incidental expenses of
the department.
Recommendation of Chief Mof-
fit for amendment of the traffic
laws of the city will probably find
the council behind them, in the
opinion of Mayor Halvorsen, and
he predicts that the city fathers
will back up the police chief in all
of his proposals except those when
will necessitate the appropriation
of more money than allowed in the
budget.
Matron's Office May Go.
Mr.. Thompson declared that the
police committee would support
whatever recommendations Chief
Moffitt made as to the personnel
of his force.
Chief Moffitt's' recommendation
that Mrs. Eta Groves be appoint
ed police matron in the place
Mrs. Myra Shank, the present
holder of that office who is 9
candidate for reappointment, is
expected to precipitate a contro'
versy in the council which some
members of that body predic
may result in the abolition of the
office of police matron, although
the police committee will rec
ommend the appointment of Mrs
Groves if the office is continued.
The stand taken by Mayor Hal
vorsen and other members of the
council limiting the finances OF
the police department to the $10,'
$50 provided in the budget will
make it impossible for Chief Mof
fit to establish a system of patrol
ling the residence section of thl
city.
Program Outlined.
The following which Chief Mof
fit will place before the council
with the request ,yat he be grant
ed authority to carry it out, is sub
stantially as follows:
Increase of the present force o
seven officers to a squad of 10 men
drawing. salaries on a basis of =;
1925 per month minimum. Com
plete uniforms for all officers t
be worn at all times when on duty
Uniforms to be purchased outrigh
bv officers, or purchased from th'
city on a monthly payment plan.
Creation of a police rotating funC
deriving it's funds from the fine
collected by the police court on ar
rests made by the police depart
ment. Rotating fund to be used il
purchasing an auxiliary motorcycl
with side carr for emergency pur
poses, and in the purchase am
maintenance of various articles o
police equipment, as well as il
meeting incidental police expenses
Patrol System Urged.
Division of the city into four dis
tricts and the installation of a cal
| box system as a means Of maxim
possible patroling of the residenc
sections between the hours of l
o'clock in the evening and daylight
Also extension of the police ligh
call system.
Maintenance of a reserve Of tw
men at police headquarters at a
hours (desk and emergency ride
for motorcycle) to be immediatel
available for emergency calls.
Establishment of "a code of regu
lations governing the conduct c
police officers while on duty.
Passing over the question G
what is to be his policy as regard
the suppression Of crime, vic'
gambling and the liquor traffi
with the assurance that the exist
ing laws will be fully and fearless
ly enforced" Chief Moffitt say
that the energies Of himself and h.
men are to be devoted consistent
to Furnishing traffic law violation
which have been responsible fc
from one to thre automobile acc
dnets a day for several months.
War on Wreckless Drivers
"The lives of pedestrians an
other auto drivers are going 10 ]
protected from the carelessness
thoughtless and reckless drivers
| Salem" says Chief Moffitt ''W
| are going after these drivers WI
! treat the traffic laws as a joke an
| we are going 10 get them. al
| going TO ask the judges TO impoi
minimum fines of $25 for traff
law offenders on the first offen'
and proportionately heavier fin
for further offenses. Jail seutenc'
are to be recommended for habi
ual offenders. and in cases whel
recklessness and carelessness al
flagrant I am Foirg to ask that n
/ licenses Of the drivers be revoke
"The city traffic ordinance as
applies to the speed Of motor V
hicle, signaling at turns and stop