Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-10
16 POLICEMEN BID
HORSES FAREWELL
Congressional Edict Replaces
Faithful EquineS With
Motor Vehicles.

Sixteen heavy-hearted policemen yes
terday removed their spurs, turned re-
luctantly toward Is faithful equine serv-
ants from which they lifted slowly the
official brides and saddles of the Police
Department, and thereby told their four
footed friends, more eloquently than
words could have done, that the day of
the police mount is over.
This task, regretfully carried out by
direction of higher-upS, was progress
sive publics reward for years of devoted
service by animals that have uncom-
plainingly braved the biting cold of
Winter and the sultry heat of Summer
at the bidding of kindly uniformed mas
tiers.
Police Mounts Linger On.
The fire horse long ago succumbed to
the march of civilization, ut until to-
day the police horse had fingered on,
stubbernly resisting Entertainments of
the motor cycle and the automobile.
Washington had gradually reduced
the strength of its police cavalry"
however, until only Is horses remained
in the mounted service. Today, by
congressional edict, supported by the
police administration itself, the Is vet
eran Dobbins were discharged "for the
good of the service" and their masters
were ordered to foot duty.
Horses Question "Horse Sense"
In their place will appear shiny new
automobiles, inanimate and senseless,
and capable of carrying not only the
driver but several passengers, If need
be. That would seem to be horse sense
IN way. but you can't make a police
horse believe it.
Removal of the saddles and brides
was necessary step, since they belong
10 the Police Department. What the de-
partment will do with them now is a
matter of some conjecture. Perhaps thew
VIII become permanent relics at police
headquarters. Most likely they will be
SOLD TO the owners of the horses, for
the mounts are owned by the policemen
who used them. The Government
helped in their upkeep by supplyinp
each mounted officer $3.50 in allowances
Tor stabling and feed, a sum which no
longer will be forthcoming. The Po-
nee department does not pension its
dismissed horses.
What will become of the fine sneci-
mems of horsef1esh retired TODAY Is nm
certain. Even their owners were un-
decided as to the future of their mounts.
Much as they hate the thought of part
ing with companions so faithful and
obedient, there is the cost to consider
With the allowances for upkeep cut off.
the question of maintenance is a seri-
Gus one. Few persons can afford to
keep horse these days.
The dismounted officers who were
bordering Sorrowfully over these prob-
lens today were Policemen Thomas M
Carter, Howard A. Cheney, Eugene
Danielewicz, Joseph L. Farmer, John
Foster, Everett Grimes, Warren F.
Grimes. Herman w. Kegebein, Arthur
u. Lucas, Hiram c. Mcdaniel Edward
II. Modem. James w. Peters, William r.
Sheets, Elmer r. Shoemaker, Frank T.
TySer and Fred H. Xander.
One Mount Blue Ribbon Winner.
All Of the horses are of fine breeding
and extraordinary training Most are
thoroughbredS, and at least one of them
has been decorated with blue ribbons
The latter is Rock, 7-year old mount of
Policeman Farmer of the eleventh pre-
cinct.
Most of the discharged horses were
too dignified to comment on their fate
today. All are said to have taken the
blow with heads held proudly erect.
Rock Observation Overheard.
But there were rumblings of discon-
tent and bitterness from many of the
affected stables. And Policeman
Farmer, who knows how to converse
with a horse as we'll as with a human
being. declares Rock made the follow
ing observation:
Automobiles - yeahi Well lust
watch me give EN- the horse laugh when
they want me to pull 'em out of the
mud"