Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-01
OIL OF PARK POLICE
MERGER DUE TODAY
Proposed Legislation Approx
ed by Dougherty and Ed
ridge at Hearing.

A favorable report on the bill 10
combine the park police with the DIS
trict police force, under the super
vision of the major and superintend-
ent of police, is expected late tooay
from the House District subcommlt"
tee having this proposed leglslatloh
in charge.
With a view to taking acton on
the measure, the Rathbone subcom-
mittee on police and firemen TO-DAY
pressed it's hearings on the bill ana
received Endorsement of it from Com
missioner Dougherty and Traffic d.
rector Eldridge.
Commissioner Dougherty expressed
the opinion that greater economy ana
efficiency would result in combining
the separate police forces in the Dis
trict. Another important factor
which he stressed as result or the
enactment of the proposed legislation
would be increased facility IN the
matter of promotion, better morale
and more efficiency in traffic regula-
ton.
Favors Unified Control.
Mr.. Dougherty agreed with Repre-
sentative Blanton and other members
of the committee that unitication of
control would make way for more
ease in prosecution Of traffic violations.
Director Eldridge, in response to
questioning, said he had never con-
suited any member of Congress about
the proposed legislation, nor had he
assisted the District Commissioners in
drafting the bill.
az have felt for a long time." Mr..
Eldridge said, that a consolidation
of the two forces would mean better
administration and better unification
of traffic supervision if all were put
under one head"
Mr.. Eldridge said that all police in
charge of traffic should be put under
the supervision of a superintendent
of police ''I have thought that all
along" he said.
Explaining that six-sevenths of the
area of the District was under the
supervision of the Metropolitan Police,
Mr.. Eldridge said it would be a great
deal better for law enforcement If the
District police had control over the
remaining area, constituting public
parks.
Grant Sees Handicap.
Col. Grant asked the traffic director
If he did not think the additional work
involved upon the corporation counsel
of the District under the proposed bill
would be handicap to that Office.
1--WE are having good enforcement
in the parks and very few accidents"
replied Mr.. Eldridge. while trans
ferring prosecution of cases originating
in the parks to the corporation coun-
sells office would involve some addi-
tional cases, do not think it would
make any material difference"
When Director Eldridge was asked
80, al l1n 1,se
control, Representative Reid interrupt
ed to tell the committee that ED
ridge is the most powerful man in the
District
why, he can take away mans
automobile license if he doesn't like
his looks said Representative Reid
This brought a prompt denial from Mr.
Eldridge.
Uses Caution, He Says.
81 assure you 1 exercise that au.
thority with a great deal of caution -
he said. 1.-The lawyers are looking for
my scalp"
Mr.. Eldridge reiterated. at this point
that he could get better results if the
two forces were combined and regula.
tons were unified.
Mr.. Blanton stressed that in the
matter of traffic enforcement a park
policeman had given an affidavit to
the effect that special consideration
was given cases involving Army and
Navy officers, and added that park
policemen were afraid of losing their
jobs if they arrested any of them.
Would such a practice prevail un.
der unified service?" he asked Mr.
Eldridge.
Not so far as am concerned" re
piled the traffic director.