Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-12-18
SHOWS NEED OF STATE POLICE.

Viewed from any possible angle Saturday nights tragedy
which resulted the death Ralph Esnond the main nard
road five miles OF this city should be CT the strongest arg
possible in favor OF the establishment OF the police Sy
Even giving credencc suicide theory which is the last
possible that should be advanced the presence police would
simplify matters very materially The suicide theory al
most entirely exploded by the fact alone that the gun found
twenty feet from the body, distance would be imp be
for with such wound the deceased had have thrown
the gun
Upon any other theory with police the tragedy would be
long ways the road solution In the first place experience in
where the police hodup and murders
the Travelled arteries have become be almost
known but when committed all roads be closed
inspection Of hundreds OF miles almost Immediately
after crime is committed In the present while the Sealing
of the La Sale short before this tragedy be
directly connected with with effective police the stolen
could have been driven this distance hard road with
brg STOPPED could the criminals have made
make getaway But, important than all the
murder discovered large number of educated trained
this line work could have gone the without any
loss OF time whatever. AS it is doubtful il any real work
done for least several hours after the crime committed
This criticism Of the officers in che but the natural
took least that long for any definite word reach
them and after that special trip had TO be made inspect the
roundings.
The biggest OF police organization the moral
effect Thugs criminals taking unnecessary chances
and they do select properly pared and guarded hard roads for
their operations Under present conditions hodups like the one
attempted here the simplest thing imaginable for the professional
thug. Any fire liable go wrong and il he
fix he is absolutely the along the road
Safe nghrae will be almost eliminated these gentry extend
their fields OF operation signal stop after night fall puts the
legitimate driver absolutely up against he does not know the
signal hodp appeal for assistance il
danger ahead All subruges adopted by the criminals their
work end number OF instances have been reported where the thug
has stopped along roadside and appealed the paer-y for
assistance only him with Hands up when lie Stops
State police should not he conounded with road patrol
who may be selected merely give political hangeron
easy berth Members Of police force obliged take
months Of education and training before they put the job and
their the job depends entirely ability displayed The
Canadian mounted police have worldwide reputation for effective
nesand the Texas Rangers close second The New York and
Pennsylvania police rapidly gaining reputation that
them III the class and every other state where the state
police system has been put operation value and effectiveness
has grown with The time has been established state police
will have opposition in the legislature when the bill for estab
lre up, but this will be less and less the people under
stand what police and demand Of the people who
represent them Springfield