The Washington times., 1927-07-30
Senator Edwards and the Police
Force Of Washington

Senator EDWARDS Of New Jersey most lovabe man per
.ona made the mistake Of slung the entire police
force of Washington because there few black sheep and
law ViolatorS among the law enforceEs
The Policemen Association Of the District quite naturally
as the New Jersey Senator to support his charges By filing
evidence with the District Commissioner.
Senator Edwards intensely opposed the prohibition
law doesn't like the methods Of the Washington police
department u enforcing that law Several recent happening
booeggers ana hsckerE are plentiful n the Washington
force
police department Several policemen have been dropped
from the force for intimate relations with bOOtleggng and
not justify Al attack which virtually ssars tie entire de-
pertinent Senator Edwards probably did not what he
.aa e sound th way g g Ds ior shang public
by much violation of law and many difficult problems
g most New Jersey cities The prohibition law & almost
ness and IA doing put themselves level with and
women 0f whom criminals in other directions The
result steady decrease q respect for Al law By policemen
washington il not city whose policemen can afford to
Ignore laws however Objectionable they may be to large
part Of the city population Our policemen not directly
responsible to citizens who without control them
either through public sentiment Or The ballot box.
Congress- the Legislative body Of the whole nation Is the
real guiding hand az Washgton municipal government and
of our policemen Senator Edwards is well Of this be-
cause he has threatened Congressional investigation Of the
police department he knows the power Of Congress this
respect
enforce prohibition here there will BE- explosion in Con
gress and throughout the country II will from the
who control that body and who through that CON
troll are in control Of this Federal City.
The District Commissioners and the chief Of police Of Wash
ngon know full well what would happen they leaned
toward the wet" element in Congress and elsewhere
they practically turned Washington bOOtleggers ex
sp for what might be done by the enforcement squad the
federal Government
The position Of the Washington police department i entirely
different from what 1t in cities whore Che people and
run their own affairs.
High officials of this Federal City in which the whole ma
ton Is vitality interested IN position up
eggerg other vcator No matter what the local sent
ment may Be this question: national sentiment d for prof.
MbOn 81 this tme That sentiment controls Congress con-
trolls the White House and the national administration
That sentiment stands ready Ii Congress raise an
aWfn rumpu the views 81 Senator Edwards - to prob
tOn enforcement here should be allowed prevail Such
rpus would b exceedingly huu u the material and other
Interests Of Washington ii Congress and would harm
this city portions Of the country whore prohibition is
favored.
Washington officials responsible Federal agencies can
afford to let down prohibition enforcement than
could President Coolidge head Of the Federal Government
Il isn't going to help law and order here bit lessen
confidence il the police force boost spirits
plans Of criminals generally.
II booteggsrs in automobiles may dash through the city
without pursuit. then other criminals free do what they
wish IL In machnes Their pursuit. at full speed must neces
sary endanger lives How policemen suspicious 81 the
occupants Of and Of their actions know whether they
booeggers holdup men, thieves? Isn't II cutie likely
that containing conaband whkey may also belong to
and Be operated ~ criminals Of the worst cIass2