Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-06
All Other Etates and (,anada.
Member of the Associated Press.
Another Police Scandal

The murder Of q policeman near
the soldiers Home grounds has given
rise 10 another series Of ugly stories
which imply police protection and con-
nivsnce BY policemen with bootleggers
and other underworld characters.
Some Of the stories, such as the re-
port that a policeman had reaorted to
the crude method Of beating old soldiers
who refused to pstronize favored
bootiesger, obviously appeal more to
the imagination than TO intelligence.
In the flrst place. the old soldiers
would set up howl thst would bring
rescue. And the dead policeman should
not be indicted on circumstantial evi-
dence alone. As far ~ any real evil
dence Is concerned he may have been
guiltless.
But even the police themselves are
quick 10 put two and two together and
reach the conclusion that his death was
IN some manner connected with scari-
daious stories and reports Of police
officers who were victimizing veterans
and pronting with the bootieegers.
A skeptical public will be even more
easily convinced. Within the last two
months SIX policemen have been placed
under suspicion as ''racketeers' One Of
them was arrested by Maryland authori-
ties after chase on the Washineton-
Baltimore Boulevard and five gallons OF
liquor were found in his car. Although
he pleaded that he was merely adding to
his personal supply and stocking up
with forethouglt for his needs next
Christmas. he was dismissed from the
force. Two more policemen were ar
rested recently on charge of extorting
money from booticgger and their ar
rest led to the suspension from the
force Of two more officers. Another po-
iiceman was involved in an alleged "hi-
lacking operation by statements made
during the Investigation Of the tinsolved
murder OF police inforner.
There are l.s4l members Of the police
force. The number Of black sheep so
far found h relatively small. hut
in an age when graft, extortion and pro-
lection In various forms have become
identifled - the riile. rather than the
exception. with police departments, the
proven guilt of few policemen is ac-
cepted generaliN - pretty sound evi-
dence that far greater number have
been lucky enough or smart enough to
escape detection. The arrest and con-
yiction Of every policeman naturally
act 10 becloud the whole department
with suspicion.
The only remedy In the hands OF
the police Is eternal vigilance and un-
ceasing effort to rid the force Of
unworthy members. The unfortunate
part Of the business Is the absence Of
the outward signs that such q remedy
is being applied. Newspaper readers
will remember the recent case In which
. woman shot her escort with = police
mans gun. They win be surprised to
learn that the policeman, while under
suspension, IL still q member of the
force. In time the Trial Board may
get around to convieting HIM and get
ting rid Of him. despite such appar-
emily tremendous hsndicaps a. the
refusal Of the others involved In the
affair 10 testify. And the impression
persists that the Police Departments
first reaction to the Soldiers Home
scandal seemed to be expressed in the
thought: We'll, that Just goes to show.
We have been hearing stories that a
policeman was mixed up in those drink
Ing parties out therel"