Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-11
POLICE TRANSFER
PLAN IS DELAYED
BY D. C. BILL FIGHT
Motor Cycle Officers Would
Be Assigned to 18 Road
Sters, to Be Bought.
PATROL WOULD BE PUT
UNDER BROWNS CHARGE
Officers Would Work Directly Out
of Traffic Bureau Instead of
Precinct Stations.

Plans for the transfer to the Traffic
Bureau Of motor cycle officers attached
to the various police precincts are being
held in allegiance pending the passage
by Congress of the District appropri-
alton bill for the 1881 fiscal year, it
was disclosed today by Maj. Henry G..
Pratt, superintendent of police.
The appropriation bill as it went into
conference carries an item for the pur-
chase of 18 small roadsters, which Mai.
Pratt proposes to put into service In
the precincts to replace the motor cycle
patrols. With the ultimate fate of
the bill in doubt due to the deadlock
of the House and Senate confereeS
preparations cannot be made at this
time, it was said, to put the transfer
into effect on July l as contemplated.
The plans of Maj. Pratt would put
the entire motor cycle patrol under the
assistant superintendent who has SUI
pervision over the Traffic Bureau. These
officers would work directly out of the
Traffic Bureau instead of the precinct
stations, and increase the bureaus per-
sonnet to about IS.
All in d. C. Would Benefit.
j..
of the motor cycle policemen will in
crease their effectiveness and bring
about closer coordination and cooper
alton in the enforcement of the traffic
regulations. Every section of the Dis
trict would benefit, he said, as flying
squadrons could be detailed to certain
areas from which complaints are re-
ceived of speeding and other violations.
Moreover, he pointed out, it will be
IN nccfrr
cycle officers to duty in the congested
area, since the automobile patrols will
be operating extensively In the outlying
sections
With the purchase Of 10 new cars to
augment the motor patrol, Maj. Pratt
plans to abolish completely the horse
mounted patrols, which now are work.
ing exclusively in the outlying sections
The department now has 10 horse
mounted men on its roster, although "a
are authorized under the 1880 appro-
priation. No effort was made to I'LL
these fve existing vacancies In view of
the program for motorizing the depart
ment. Experience has shown, accord
ing to Maj. Pratt, that q policeman in
an automobile can cover four and five
times as much territory as a mounted
oflcer, and can respond more quickly
In an emergency.
Radio Sets to Aid.
The effectiveness of the motor patrols
will be materially increased, Maj Pratt
said, as soon as funds become available
to equip them with radio receiving sets.
The deficiency appropriation bill for
1880 carries an item Of SIS, 500 to erect
a radio transmitting station for the de-
partment and install receiving sets in
the police cars as well as in the Offices
of police officials in nearby Maryland
and Virginia.
With the motor patrols equipped with
receiving sets, Maj Pratt pointed out,
police headquarters will be able to keep
In constant communication with the
men assigned to the cars. Thus re-
ports received at headquarters will be
broadcast to the motor patrols imme-
diately upon receipt, permitting the
policemen to apprehend criminals be-
fore they have an opportunity to get out
Of the District.