Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-27

NOC1lCIuueQ from rlrSC FaBe)
the taxpayer Of any other city in the
country"
1.-THE designation of the Washington
Police Department as the worst In the
world Is without Justification" Mr..
Holiday asserted. However, 1t is not
what 1t should be nor what it can
be made without material additional ex-
pense.
1.-The unsatisfactory condition which
exists In the police department can be
attributed, IN considerable part to four
causes:
81. Low qualifications of those en-
tering the service.
20. Lack of proper organization.
%. Lack of scientifically trained per-
sonnet and adequate equipment.
a. Delay of local courts in the trial
of criminal cases."
In support of his contention that
candidates for the Police Department
need have no lofty qualifications, Mr..
Holiday pointed out that no educational
requirements are necessary in order to
take the police examination, and only
a slight investigation" as to character
is made by the Civil Service Commits
sion.
The police pay bill now pending, he
said, would raise the Washington force
from seventh to first place in the list OF
departments in cities of comparable
size. The present force ranks second as
to ratio Of police to population and OF
police to area covered. BY reason OF
the character of her citizens and the
stability of employment within her
boundaries. Washington should be the
easiest city in the United States to po-
lice properly, the House was told.
"As indicating lack of proper organ
ization," Mr.. Holiday continued, I'VE
find men in key positions on the police
force with regulations that are incom-
patible with efficient public service.
Some minor units of the department
are overmanned. For example, in the
House Of Detention, with an average
daily population of IA, there are IS
employees, in addition to the % police
women who have headquarters In the
same building.
"The House Of Detention, while only
a minor unit, Is the most extravagant
and inefficient unit of the entire Dis
trict Government"
Provision has been made for further
training of the two gun experts now In
the department and for necessary equip
ment to aid them in their work. An
additional microscopic chemist has been
added to the Health Department with
the understanding that his services viii
be always available to the Police
Department.
Courts Behind In Work.
"The courts are from six months to
two years behind. with their work. The
police are not responsible for this con-
dition
'The four judges of the Police Court
are each drawing a salary Of $4,000 per
annum. Their dockets average six
months behind and they hold court an
average Of three hours and % minutes
per day, six days per week.
1.-THE i've judges Of the Municipal
Court, each drawing salary OF $500
per annum, with their dockets current
hours and six minutes per day five days
per week In addition to being current
with its work, one should note that the
Municipal Court is asking that its tu-
risdiction be enlarged to care for more
work, in order that the other courts
may be relieved.
'The seven judges of the Supreme
Court, each drawing $4,000 per annum
with their docket more than two years
behind, are holding court an average OF
2 hours and 5312 minutes per day, five
days per week. In ADDITION, they take
a vacation of three months each year.
This condition in our courts can be
improved by a change in the law en-
larging the Jurisdiction of the Municipal
Court The appointment of additional
judges will not bring about complete
remedies of the existing conditions. II
must come through a new conception OF
public duty on the part of some Of the
Justices now sitting"