The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-03-13

of the Board of Commissioners, who
has administrative control of the
police and fire departments, de-
clared that the new law win go far
toward raising the morale of the
; city's protectors. and that The
Times had performed a valuable
civic duty in helping to secure its
passage.
Il. Law Long Needed
'Such a law has been needed here
for some time,' said Commissioner
Dougherty. Many other cities pro-
vide for the recognition of meri-
torious deeds performed by police
men and firemen, and / am glad
Washington can now officially af-
ford such recognition.
The bill was passed, l under
stand. just a few days before Con.
gress adjourned, The Times per-
formed a valuable civic duty in
sponsoring the bill and helping to
secure it's passage"
Fire Chief George S. Watson and
Major Edwin B. Hesse, chief of
police, were enthusiastic over the
passage of the bill.
Splendid, Says Watson
ut is splendid thing" said Chief
Watson. You can hardly realize
how much it will mean to the men
who risk their lives many times in
: the performance of their duties to
know now that the District can at
last officially recognize their deeds.
& think this bill win go far toward
uphofding the splendid morale of the
fire department.
II want to thank The Times on
behalf of the fire department for the
unselfish. whole-hearted support il
gave in helping to secure the passa ge
of the BILL"
Major Hesse was equally as warm
In his praise OF the measure and of
the backing lent it by The Times.
q, 1.-The bill has been needed for sew
eral years." Hesse asserted. "Al.
though a policeman never thinks of
what reward he win receive when he
risks his life in the performance of
duty, nevertheless it is gratifying to
him and to his fellow officers to
Know that such acts are appre-
ciated.
~ Times Service Lauded
3 Before this new law was passed
the only official recognition po4
iiceman could receive was nota.
etion OF commentator ON his record.
- For the past several years The
Times has rewarded hero policemen
with medals each year. That was
~ very fine, unselfish thing and
was appreciated by the department,
but I have always felt that the
District should be allowed to show
Its appreciation officially.
II think The Times has done
very fine thing in sponsoring this
bill and giving it the support with
out which it might have failed
to pass"
The bill, signed by the President
( only a few days before the adjourn
ment OF Congress provides that the
district Commissioners each year
shall appoint committee of three
citizens and the heads OF the police
and fire departments to select two
|. men from each department who
4; have performed outstanding deeds
I'm the performance of their duty.
Gold medals will be presented to
I the hravest fireman ana policeman
selected as runners-up.
Public Presentation
1t has been suggested that the
presentation of the medals be made
n t the Policemen-F'iremen's baseball
game at American League Park on
Labor Day each year.
Both CHIEF Watson and Hesse
think this would be an appropriate
time, but pointed out that the size
OF the park would prevent the
! audience from hearing clearly the
speech of commentator that viii
accompany the award.
Watson suggested that the medals
be presented each year at a. banquet
~ one OF Washington's largest and
most representative civic Organizaf