Evening star., 1921-12-02
MORE PARK POLICE,
INCREASED DUTIES,
SHERR|LL REQUEST
Public Buildings Head Wants
White House and Grounds
Added to Jurisdiction.
PROPOSAL is SUBSTITUTE
FOR MERGER OF FORCES
Federal Police Described Primarily
as Watchmea to Keep Order on
U. S. Reservations.

enlargement of the present force of
united States park police so that
'hey may take over the policing of
the White House and grounds, taking
the place of the present ffty-three
members OF the metropolitan police
torce, was proposed to the District
Commissioners today by Col Clarence
U. Sheriff., officer in charge Of public
buildings and grounds.
Ihls proposal was submitted as
substitute for the plan of Senator
King of Utah, to consolidate the pres
ent park police with the metropoI-
itah police and turn the policing of
the parks over to the latter
The colonel made known his views
after leaving a meeting of the zon-
ing comission at the District build
ing, during which, he said. he dis
cussed the park control question in
an informal manner with the Commis-
Sioners.
Dfnerence in Duties,
Col Sheriff. said he opposed merg-
ing the park police with the city de-
partment because the duties of the
or the regular city guardians of the
law.
The United States parka police"
the colonel said. ARE primarily
watchmen to keep order in the parks
ana to prevent depredations in the
FEDERAL reservations. Instead of be-
ing merged with the city police de-
partment, the park force should be
increased and kept as a national or
ganization.
Il would like to see the park police
Iorce enlarged and given authority
TO police the White House grounds
DO not believe the President or the
United states should have to obtain
poiice protection from munich
Col. Sheriff. said the park police
force is too small now for the larp,.
area or driveways and beauty spots
throughout the city which ii must
patrol The park force consists of
ohiy nfty-six men and has not been
tncr reased, the colonel said. since the
teoerai government took over the
control OF Rock Creek Park
Col. Sheriff. said he hopes to get
from congress next year an appro-
priation for eight additional men TO
police Rock Creek Park
Inc off1cer in charge of nuhlic
buildings and grounds was not pre-
pared to say that he would take steps
to have the city police relieved from
duty at the White House, but the
interest he has shown in the matter
may result in bringing about the
change.
f Col. Sherrill's plan to police the
Nhite House grounds can be brought
about 1t will be welcomed by local
police officials, who could use the
present White House detail to good
advantage elsewhere. For several
years past. since Washington's war
growth began, the city police de-
partment has been inadequate to
meet municipal needs
Discussed by Citizens.
Citizens associations from time to
time have suggested that some other
means OF patrolling the White House
grounds be devised. but this is the
first time any impetus has been given
to the PROPOSAL by an official
Col. Sheriff. said he is opposed to
making the park administration a
municipal function, because experi-
ence in other cities has shown that
a separate park administration is the
wiSest course.
Wien park systems are placed un-
der municipal authorities" said the
colonel, there is always a tendency
10 ercroucn upon me parks wan,
building of public necessity. / do not
mean that this would apply particu-
larly to the present board of Commits
sioners, but il is a tendency that
would exist under any city adminis-
tration."
The proposal to transfer control of
the parks and park police to the
Commissioners was made a few days
ago by Senator King, and the Com
missioners indicated their approval
of the suggestion.