The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-09-29
Vigorous Steps Against D. 6.
Criminals Are in Order

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Six policemen in Washington hospitals in one day-One
mortaly wounded dangerously injured by criminals anc
seriously by careless autoist to impress the
proper authorities Of the District with the necessity Tor swift
vigorous steps all along the line to combat the increasing
criminal element of the District
Il is eagy to refer to criminal activities here crime
wave much would ''cod wave soon to pass and
normal Police and other officials OF the
District who are not enough and understand that
steadily increasing in this city, and must be met by
prompt and drastic measures should be removed from ner
positions.
It has been plainly evident everybody in Washington
that lawlessness spreading mere ana w In al
notify the criminal underworld that it going to be dealt
with in uncertain manner
Bookkeeping business has recruited small OF
women who when peddling whiskey not profitable
turning burgaries, holdup thefts assaults and the
shooting mauing of policemen The bloody criminal his
tory Chicago being duplicated here smaller scale
Where it all going to stop will depend upon what our
going to do and what methods the Police Depart
ment viii follow.
Law and order must prevail here the criminal element
will dominate There be no question as to which should
Our courts are cogged with business it true them
the people Washington will first turn for signs Of invigora
ing activity The law respected by the criminal world
when there prompt and energetic prosecution OF bandits
and murderers Delay the oophOle through which bad
and women escape just punishment there must be post
poneent of criminal trials in the District the less important
criminals should be the to be favored The dangerous
ones should be shown no mercy Their place bar
st;ca at the earliest nossbe moment after the commission
Of crimes Especially should leaders and members Of criminal
bands be taught that the laws of the District are not to be
is likewise to be taken for granted that the Police De-
Of Washington will not be supne to the grave ua
ton confronting the community The shooting down OF brave
policemen by bandits and the smuggling of officers Of the law
burglars not appealing spectacle It does not conduce
public mind confidence in the laws powers
Our District authorities police heads have been greatly
apprhensive in past months that police officers using
their pistols too freely Street shoongs between criminals
speeding in automobiles and pursuing policemen deced
thought of course has been the protection of innocent
bystandes The effect has been to encourage the criminal
element to daring deeds.
what the Police Department had better begin to do to
equip policemen that there must be shoongs the killed
and injured will be mostly bandits other criminals The
funerals of number of bandits will be impressive than
anything else.
is about time policemen supplied with belts and
holsters that their pistols may be kept in accessible places
Higher police authorities should not be Indifferent to the fact
that policeman who pull his pistol from his hip pocket
from somewhere else under his coat is at decided dad
vantage When there is to be pistol action the matter Of
few moments is of Importance.
again direct the attention of the District Commits
eoners and the Chief of Police the vital Importance Of
making every policeman in the District proficient in pistol
craftsmanship Require each officer to attain given pro-
ficiency in the of pistol Our criminal colony will have
wholesome respect for skilled craftsmanship than for
the laws and the courts They likely to begin shooting
they that the bullets of officers will almost surely
reach vital spots Policemen likely begin shooting
until they have and then they will shoot straight
cent bystanders will not so often become victims.
We reaching the point too when the Police Department
should be equipped with amored cars swift automobiles
be made Sawed off shot guns and other effective weapons
shod BE part of the cars equipment Manned by skilled
arm these would not be lightly regarded by bandits
burglars and hold-up men,
odime police tactics Washington are not going to fit
presentday conditions. Soft pedang Knockout
methods must be used by the Police Department and by the
prosecuting officials in courts.