The Washington herald., 1921-09-15
GESSFORD FAVORS
CURB ON SALE OF
DEADLY WEAPONS
Superintendent of Police
Submits Report to
Commissioners.
TELLS OF PERIL S
Wants Near-Beer Saloons,
Poolrooms and Dance Halls
Closed at 2 A. M.

Legislative prevention of airplanes
flying at dangerously low attitudes
over public assemblies, was recon-
mended by Maj. Harry L. Gessford,
superintendent Of police. IN his an
nual report submitted to the Com
missioners yesterday.
Closing of all near-beer saloons
and pool rooms by midnight, and
dance halls by a. m. and curbing
of the sale and possession of dead
ly weapons by legislation, was also
recommended.
ImperIls General Public.
The lack of regulations which
would prevent the flying of an un-
safe plane is a danger to both the
operator of the machine and to the
general public Participants and
spectators at public demonstrations
have been imperilled by the flying
of planes too near the ground, Maj.
Gessford said
Prohibition Of the carriage of
deadly or dangerous weapons within
or about vehicles. was also urged.
Maj. Gessford pointing out that the
present regulation prohibits only
carriage of deadly weapons on the
person.
Would Investigate Purchasers.
The need for investigating the
character of purchasers of firearms
and the reason for the purchase.
was pointed out. and II was recon-
mend that deadly and dangerous
weapons be issued only on written
%
intendent Of police
Allowance of money to police for
the purchase of uniforms. which
salaries, was recommended as a
means of facilitating recruiting.
Purchase Of SIX automobiles to rg-
place six machines, which have run
a mileage OF 4o5,5s1 miles, and is
member on the force, was advocated.
The police department is operating
twanty-three motor driven vehicles.
but six Of these were condemned last
year. the report shows.
Urges Traffic Court.
Creation Of a traffic court, which
would relieve the police court and
hasten the hearing and prosecution
Of offenders, was urged. Construc-
tion Of a central police station. to
house the police and detective head
quarters, and a training school for
recruits and the erection Of sta
tion houses at Seventeenth street
and Rhode Island avenue, and in
the Harbor precinct. were recon-
mended. Reconstruction of cell cor
ridors in the Second, Seventh. and
Ninth precincts to give proper ven
tilation and sanitation to the cells
was also urged.
Arrests Increase 1852.
Arrests during the year totaled
$500, an increase of 1852 over
1920 figures, the report shows. OF
1851 women; 35,554 were white and
21.O4s coIored; 55.61s could read
and write and s74 were unable to
do so.
Criminal offenses totaled 1883
an increase Of 121 over 1920, and
there were 53.s74 minor infractions
ofIthe law. There were a. arrests
for murder. 172 for robbery, 20 for
manslaughter, 452 for housebreak-
ing. 43s for grand larceny, 1876 for
assault with dangerous weapons
and 25 for assault with intent to
kill.
violations of traffic regulations,
totaling 12.903. an increase of 3.056
over 1920, were the most numerous
of the minor lnfractions. There
were 1888 assaults, and 1887 cases
Of petit larceny.
Many Dry Law Arrests.
Enforcement Of the Shepherd
liquor law resulted IN 5,415 arrests
for drunkenness. 1855 arrests for
driving an automobile while being
intoxicated, and % arrests for
drinking In public. Under the VOL
stead act s54 arrests for transport
ing, 81 arrests for selling, and
s2o arrests for illegal possession of
liuuor were reported.
Property valued at ss27,s24.5o, a
decrease OF s39o,s5o.75, was re-
ported stolen during the last fiscal
year Property valued a s1,122-
s3O56, some OF which was reported
stolen in the previous year and
automobiles, worth s173,232, were
recovered.
Collateral agsregating ;415,s5o