Evening star., 1921-05-07
SAFETY MEASURES
URGED At MEETING
Chairman of City Club Group
Rehearses Needs of the
District.

model headlight law for the District;
the public hacking problem: the po-
lice department situation: formation
Of a centralized traffic squad; fire pro-
lection for children in public schools.
and the proposed "gun-toting" law for
this city were taken up last night by
w. Pearce Rayner. chairman of the
public safety group Of the City Cluo'
in his report to the committee.
Asserting that although the club
and other civic organizations had
earnestly requested the drafting OF
headlight law for this city, the police
department had done nothing TO
further the projects, Mr.. Rayner as
serted that the District still retains
its antiquated regulation. which can.
not be enforced through lack or
standard.
Discusses Public Hackers.
"The next undertaking of the group
was an investigation of the conduct
Of some Of the public hackers in re-
gard to bootlegging and white siav. ;'o
cry including soliciting on the pubic
streets" says the report.
Subsequent events have amply JUS
titled the situation as exposed at that
time. and right at this point / want
to say that the public safety group,
in fact, the whole City Club. and all
good citizens. have a new ally in our
work for a better Washington.
TOO much praise cannot be heaped
on Commissioner Oyster. who, with the
able suggestions of Capt. Headley, has
situation in front of the Willard Hotel.
to the satisfaction of the public and
the hackers as well.
Commissioner Oyster is a man of
action, honest, fearless and practical.
He is a man for all bad citizens to
ali %
support. His own best judgment will
rule in every case, and after thorough
investigation his final decision will be
very nearly correct. He Is a man
whom every one knows will listen to
suggestions. but who is Independent.
owing nothing to any class, corporation
or individual, except the citizens Of
the District of Columbia. We hope
that any suggestion we may offer will
be practical and helpful to him.
studied Police Methods.
LAS chairman Of the public safety
group. I have made a close personal
and intimate study Of the police de-
statement that the next major Of police
would have to be a civilian.
why take away all incentive and
ambition for advancement? Even though
it might be proved that one good man
in the department was Temperament
magnetism. and the broad understand
ing of human nature, which mean
leadership, that does not prove that
there are not other men in the de-
partment who have the qualifications
to equal any record made in that po-
sition. In my opinion there are sew
eral men capable Of advancement to
head OF the department. and 1t would
be a mighty poor department il that
were not true. Whispered stories Of
ancient records Of indiscretion should
not be permitted to block the chances
have been honest, efiicient and brave
protectors Of our families"
Pointing out that tho group has re-
peatedly made concentrations to
the Commissioners and the police de-
partment regarding the formation of
direction Of an experienced tramc Of
ficer and reporting directly to the
major OF police. Mr.. R4ynor said that
small beginning had been made in
that direction with the establishment
of the traffic bureau.
1T is our belief, however" said Mr..
Raynor. that all street car crossing
policemen an dali mounted traffic po-
lice should report to one head"
In regard to fire protection in the
schools for childl N Mr.. Raynor as
serts that many Of the small buildings
who are not qualified to handle steam
boilers, greatly increases the hazard.
"Gun-Teti.E' Law q Topic.
Taking up the question of q gun
toting" law for the District the report
says:
Legislators. court officials and po-
lice officials sometimes feel that be-
cause they are responsible for the
making. Interpretation or the en-
able citizen is sufficiently protected.
and should not have the means Of
defending himself and family Such a
law Is the Sullivan law of New York.
which makes a criminal Of the re-
spectacle citizen who wishes to pro-
tect his family. or leaves his family
defenseless II he obeys the law, while
they are at the mercy OF criminals, all
OF whom are armed, and will be in
spite of laws to the contrary.
The criminal in the District Of CO.
lumbia is afraid principally Of two
thngs-frst. our excellent detective
force. and second, the possibility that
his intended victim either at home or
and able to offer resistance.
The detective force Of any large
city is the backbone of the whole
department. Criminals always make
sure that the uniformed policeman is
out Of sight before starting job.
YOU have crooked city, but 1 am
glad to say from personal observation
and experiences with our detective
force. both at headquarters and in
the precincts. that / believe no city
has even approached Washington in
the loyalty. quality. and especially the
bravery OF these men. have never seen
better team work or Willingness to
dare anything at the command of
their leaders.
SugKests Changes in Ball Bill.
Some of the most experienced de-
tectives and police officials feel that
the Ball bill, which is presented for
your action, is complete bill. 1t
effects registration Of all firearms,
but should make mandatory on the
major of police the issuance Of a per-
init to any reputable citizen, unless
he can prove to the Commissioners of
the District that the permit should not
be issued.
NO bill should be passed which will
make it hard for the poorest honest
man to be prepared to defend his
home.
IF not already a fact, the rapid in
crease in the use of automobiles as a
weapon OF attack on banks, homes
and family automobiles soon will
make II necessary tos extend the con-
stitutional rights of defense in the
home to the family automobile, which
carries the family through lonely
places. where no police are available
IF the citizens of Washington and
members of Congress realized how