The Washington times., 1924-04-14
FOR
POLICE IS
SOUGHT
Commissioner WOULD Have
Them Make Raids Indepen-
dent of Dry Agents.

Legislation that would enable
District police to fight boptlegging
and rum-running independently Of
the Federal Prohibition Enforce
ment Bureau is being planned by
Police Commissioner Oyster.
The Commissioner declared that
too many cases made by police
officials are lost through failure
of the prohibition agents to ap-
pear in court at the prosecution.
Congressman Blanton of Texas
has signified his willingness to
assist Commissioner Oyster in
pressing whatever legislation is
desired in this connection in Con-
gress.
Waits Stephens Opinion
A letter asking information from
Corporation Counsel Francis H. Ste
phens whether this power could be
obtained by amendments to present
laws or whether new legislation
would be necessary was sent by
Commissioner Oyster today.
In his letter Commissioner Oyster
declared that he believed the pro-
hibition laws could be better en-
forced in the District If the men,
bers of the metropolitan police de-
partment were vested with power
equal to that of the prohibition en-
forcement officers as concerns ar
rests and searches.
In the event that new legislation
would be necessary in order to
obtain this power Commissioner
oyster asked Mr.. Stephens to draft
bill which would give the mem.
bers Of the police department the
authority he desires for them.
Collateral System Attacked.
Commissioner Oyster declared that
he believed police officials could
work more expeditiously in hopping
up the wet spots in the District IL
they were allowed a free hand in
preparing their raids and in execut-
ing them.
Under present legislation 1t is
necessary for agents of the Federal
prohibition unit to accompany the
local ponce on raids.
In addition to his plans for
divorcing the police department
from the prohibition unit in wiping
out District bootlegging, Commits.
sioner Oyster made known his plans
for obtaining the adjustment of
the forfeiture of collateral system"
This system, he declared in an.
other letter to Corporation Counsel
Stephens, is lone of the greatest
evils in law enforcement in the
city"
If Congressional legislation is
necessary to end this practice, Com.
missioner Oyster in his letter asked
that Mr.. Stephens draft a bill
which would cover the subject.
The legislation proposed would
prohibit the forfeiture of collateral
in any case.
Bars BOndsmen's Runners.
Commissioner Oyster also has
under his consideration a memo.
randum prepared by Assistant Cor,
poration Counsel Ringgold Hart.
which would end the system used
by bondsmen of providing runners
at station houses.
The memorandum calls the atten
ton of the police captains to the
fact that where a prisoner is held
on any charge, he shall not be
interviewed for the purpose OF Civ.
ing bond, except by a duly quail.
field bondsman, or by duly quail.
fled agent of bonding company,
with power Of attorney to sign
bonds
A transcript Of record Of arrest,
the memorandum states. shall be
given only to such duly qualified
bondsman or agent for bondsman
or to a relative or counsel.
The memorandum. it is explained.
is not to interfere in any way with
a prisoners right to consult rela
tives or counsel.