Evening star., 1925-09-09
ANT|-F|REARM LAW
URGEOBY SULLIVAN
RevoIvers Figure in Most of
Murders, Annual Police
Report Shows.

An earnest plea for the enactment
of law by Congress to restrict the
sale of revolvers and other dangerous
weapons in Washington is the out
standing recommendation in the an
nual report of Maj. Daniel Sullivan,
superintendent of police, transmitted
to Commissioner Fenning today
The report also lists the following
as matters that should receive the
early attention of Congress in order
to improve the service rendered by
the department:
Erection of a central building TO
tive bureau and other administrative
branches of the department.
New Station Needed.
Construction of a modern station
house in Tenleytown, which is now
merely a sub-station of the seventh
precinct, but which covers a large
and rapidly growing residential area.
Legislation to place the 63 crossing
policemen on the government pay roll
instead of having them paid by the
street railway companies, as at pres
ent.
A law to give the police more au-
thority in holding fugitives from
justice in other jurisdictions.
A law to make drug addiction a
felony in the District.
An amendment to the medical prac-
tice act TO provide for the regulation
of persons practicing as chiropractors
and osteopaths and of all persons who
attempt TO treat disease, injury or
deformity.
16,0sl Arrests Made.
The department made 76.021 arrests
during the last fiscal year, as com
pared with 1924 in the previous fiscal
year, an increase of 3,7S7.
OF the total number arrested TO-
number 2.591 were less than II years
old.
Arrests for felonies totaled 3.426 an
increase of 261 over the preceding l.
months.
1T is again deemed advisable" the
report went on, TO present in this
report comprehensive statistics relat-
ing to the crime of murder, the most
serious of all felonies, not only for the
purpose of demonstrating the efficiency
of the force in dealing with those
offenses, but in the hope that it will
emphasize the need of adequate legis-
ation dealing with the subject of
carrying weapons"
The report shows that of the 81
murders committed last year. revol-
vers figured in IS of them. In cases
knives were used. The other 9 in
volved other instruments.
Out of 2S3 arrests for assault with
dangerous weapons, 124 cases in
Volved revolvers and knives were used
in 81 cases. Out of 341 arrests for
n no.alp
revolvers, So razors and 35 knives.
Dry Activity Increased.
An increase in the activity of the
police in prohibition enforcement is
indicated by the statement that 5.73S
arrests were made last year under
the Nolstead law. against 4,239 the
previous year.
For violations of the local Shep
pard dry law there were 11,s13 ar
rests last year. compared with 9,715
the preceding year.
During the l. months ended July /,
the police seized 21.S92 gallons of
liquor, as compared with 14,354 gallons
the previous year. In connection with
dry law arrests they also confiscated
295 automobiles, whereas the preced-
ing year they seized only 144 automo
biles.
DISCUSSING the traff1c situation, the
report commends Congress for estab-
fishing a night Traffic Court and for
providing severe penalties for speed
ing, reckless driving and similar Of
fenseS.
The report also praises the Com
missioners for selecting NJ o. Ed
ridge to be director of traffic and
states that ''in the short time elapsed
between the date of his appointment
and the writing of this report he has
effected many improvements in traffic
regulation and control"
Eldridge Praised.
The report characterizes him as an
efficient public servant and predicts
that when the constructive plans
which he has in view are fully devel
oped and put into effect traffic condi.
tions in Washington will amply jus-
tffy the action of the Commissioners
in selecting for the important office Of
traffic director its present incumbent. +"
The report refers to the automatic
Continued on Page 9. Column 81