The Washington herald., 1922-10-15


with authority on District problems. We know that
the numerous recommendations made in the annual
committee reports OF that organization not the
fruit OF irresponsible dissatisfaction OF thought
less unrest They analysed thoroughly in the
minds OF men with stake IN the District OF men
with business estab ishmCnts here, OF men who
pect pay ior any improvements through increased
taxation OF far given economy than
10 reckless expenditure. They influenced
greatly by cheers fag-waving. When a propo-
:, tion OF any kind is placed before them they are
certain 10 ask two questions how much will it cost
and is it worth the price? When such men approve
OF increased expenditures for public purposes we
can and no occasion whatsoever to suspect their
motives
.Nrong their recommendations this year are
which have been before the public for some
tiac. They all good. We indorse them without
hesitation. The only criticism we might make is
that they arc too conservatve-as is likely be
the case when business reflect upon spending
money which must in the final analysis come out
al thcir own bank accounts. How any member OF
Congress can refuse to consider these recommended
tons in good faith passes understanding
The street and bridge repairs asked are essen
tiaL In their suggestions for the public schools the
Board OF Trade members show keen appreciation
OF the unfortunate situation and ieveheadedness in
formulation OF possible remedies. But we were par
t1euarly impressed by the report OF the public or
der committee on the police department
We realize that the District OF Columbia has
not the best police department in the world But
the wonder is that Maj. Sullivan is able to main
tain such excellent force in spite OF the handi-
caps which face him every day of the week. He
has under his command good many brave and
brilliant men-but he is almost forced into the DO
sition OF making do the work of two
at least r-ieb
adopt the program OF the Board OF Trade commit
tee tor the police department. Every plank in the
platform Is sound. No luxuries are asked. Mr.
OdeH Smith, Chairman OF the committee, blue
pencied carefully everything not absolutely essen
tlal before the recommendations were submitted
II there Is any possible objection to single
one OF the following items will be glad to hear
at II; Otherwise expect that the entire BODY OF
District ctzcnry will get together and boost for the
report a. presented
Who can find fault with single one OF the
following recommendations:
(D Mere pay and an adjustment of pay
(2) Twenty-Five more men.
tS) Two captains one for the Twelfth
precinct and onc for the Harbor precinct
cd Five additional detective sergeants
t5) Five laborers for the shop
(6) Adjustment of the maintenance fund.
Cd $500 for cells in the Seventh precinct
ts) $4,000 for additional harbor boats
90 $4,000 increase contingent fund
(Io) $1,000 allowance District officials at
tending conventions
tI1) s5O0o for policing Shrine Week
We propose to deal with these items in detail
lT"i' day D." day-cNplaIning exactly why each is
r"cIcd There Will DC nothing new in the arpu-
lr,":s PRESENTED. The story back OF each is old
j WIZ "r rel clifton OF countless instances of in
ADEQUATE compensation ior loyal, scli-sacrifcing
s'f'itc. crdmpcd quarters, insufficient equipment
Petty economies with resultant waste But it is well
that the story be recalled to the minds of the people
oi Washington from time time Publics are for
E'itui and ungrateul.
Mr. Smith and members OF his committee were
r't subsidized by the present administration OF the
lolicc department, We presume that they would
nave preferred TO have discovered faults inside the
"s"nlz"'i"n' that they would rather have placed
the blame Tor inadequate service on wasteful man.
agenlcnt. that they would urge further cxpen-
oltuFcS OF the pubhcs money ii satisfactory results
could be attained by better methods of administra-
ton Unless we are mistaken they approached the
police probc en- ready find fault on the slightest
TrcteNt. This is what they found:
For the first time in years the police depart
ment Is tree from clqucs, is displaying wonderful
teamwork and Is roofing for its major"
these are not the words of publicity agent or
q political backcr OF Maj. Sullivan. They are the
words OF hard-hcaded business men who demand
the maximum OF results for the minimum OF ex-
pcndnure and upon whose excuses fall like
snowilakes upon a sun-heated pavement
We, ourselves, hold no brief for the present ad-
rnlstraton OF the police department We have
criticised them frequently and sometimes harshlv.
They arc human They make mistakes-sometines
serious mistakes But every fair-minded resident of
the District must realize how badly they are hand-
capped, how well they have functioned under ad-
verse circumstances, how much of credit thev de-
serve from the people whom they serve