The Washington times., 1921-05-07
.WOULDD|SARM.
.D.C.GANCSTERS
Shootings Attacked, Ball Bill
Approved by City Club
Safety Group.

The public Safety Group Of the
City Club went on record last even
ing in favor Of the Ball measure to
regulate sale and possession Of
firearms in the District, with a
proviso that it should be amended
to give persons requesting owner
ship permits the right to appeal to
the Commissioners il turned down
by the superintendent.
ELECTION DEFERRED.
Election OF officers was deferred
to the next meeting, as was also con
sideration OF the report on hre haz-
ards in the public schools, due to the
belief that delay In the school build
ing program will make the report
more pertinent at that time.
The annual report on the groups
work. made. by W.. Pearce Raynor.
chairman. was adopted. Mr.. Raynn,
pointed out that activity on various
matters brought beneficial results.
mentioning specifically the escapes
from st. Elizabeth's Hospital, and the
condue OF public hackers.
Mr.. Raynor's report gave hign
praise to Commissioner Oyster for
the manner in which he had handled
the hacking situation, notice OF
which was first brought to public a.
tention by the Public Safety Group.
All good citizens have an ally in the
work for a better Washington in
Captain Oyster. the report said. "fie
is independent" IL added, owing
nothing to any class, corporation or
individual except the citizens of the
District"
Mr.. Raynor also took issue with
the recent statement that the next
police superintendent would have t.
be a civilian, asserting that tn
would take all incentive away from
a force having men fully capable Of
holding the position.
The report also praised the city de-
tective force, asserting that mo city
ever approached Washington in the
loyalty. quality. and especially the
bravery of these men,"
The need OF larger police force was
especially stressed, and better basic
pay and modern motor equipment were
advised. Criminals know conditions
here" the report concluded, and the
police department ought to take the
public into it's confidence in an ehort
to get better protection"
The need OF strong centralized
traffic squad, under one direction, and
the establishment OF a standard on
headlight glare which would permit
enforcement of the headlight law.
were mentioned as two public safety
matters that have not yet been prop
erly cared for.
DISCUSSES SCHOOL FIRE MENACE
In discussing informally the school
FIRE hazard matter, Mr.. Rayner ap-
proved the building program ad-
vanced at the City Club Thursday
evening by Philander p. Claxton.
Commissioner of Education, pointing
out that the building OF twenty
room schools, such as advocated by
the Commissioner, would AT least
permit the hiring of third-class en-
gineers to operate the boilers in
each school. At present. he said.
there were few boiler tenders In
the public schools with sufficient
knowledge to guarantee prevention
OF a dangerous boiler explosion.
Regarding the gun-toting bills,
Mr.. Rayner urged that the com
n,unity and Congress should be care
ful not to infringe on the consti-
tutional right to defend the home.
IF not already a fact" the report
continued. the rapid increase in the
use of automobiles as weapons OF
attack on banks. homes and the
f. mily automobile will soon make
IL necessary to extend the constitu-
tionaI right OF defense of tho nome
to the family automobile, which
carries family through lonely
places where police are not avail
able.
The Ball bill" Mr.. Rayner as
serted, would AFFORD measure OF
protection wherever the law Is not
able to prevent attack or protect the
citizen. still. II would stop the un-
regulated traffic in secondhand wea-
pons,' and make the acquisition OF
weapons generally very difficult for
dangerous characters. The provi-
Aions against sale to minors will do
great deal to stop crimes OF vio-
ience, for many of THESE are com
mitted, as in the case OF the recent
Schnurr murder, by boys under
twenty one
The next meeting Of the group will
be held the first Friday in June.