Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13
WATSON BOOSTERS
POLICE MORALE
Senator Praises Force In
Letter to Pratt, Wants
Judgment Withheld.

Confidence In the Metropolitan Po-
lice Department as a whole Is expressed
by Senator James E. Watson Of Indiana,
IN letter to Maj. Henry G.. Pratt. SUI
perintendent, which was broadcast to
the entire force yesterday through the
medium Of . special police bulletin.
Senator Watson also deplored the
"hysteria in some quarters on the part
Of some people IN dealing with the
charges made against a few policemen
by men Of criminal records"
Maj. Pratt directed that the letter be
read at each roll call for two consecu-
tive days and that every member of
the force be furnished with q copy Of
the special bulletin.
Copy Of Letter.
The letter follows:
AS Q member Of the City Council
feel that I should say something to
maintain the splendid morale Of the
metropolitan Police Department, which
mas been rendering such fine service
curing your administration; 1t occurs
70 me that 1t would be a tragic thing
II this morale were destroyed either by
outside attacks on the department or
by lack Of confidence In the force by
those who administer its affairs
8! deeply regret what I regard as a
tendency to hysterfa in some quarters
on the part Of some people in dealing
policemen by men of criminal records
] am persuaded that these charges do
not reflect the feeling of the public to-
ward the department as whole and it
behooves US to withhold Judgment on
individual cases until the accused po-
lcemen have fair trial open to the
public. 1t may be that we shall fnd
that the charges are unfounded: but,
they be true. I feel sure that you
VIII take the proper action and ad-
minister the proper punishment.
Personnel Praised.
"As one member Of Congress, I de-
sire TO say that you have my conf.
dence and, judging from the general
trend OF the conversations have had,
the confidence Of the public as we'll
Inc nne body OF men and women who
make up the Metropolitan Police De-
partment should not be subjected to
general charges of lack Of discipline or
OF improper conduct simply because a
few men have overstepped the bounds
OF propriety in attempting to secure
convictions.
Il trust that you will urge these
people to continue the fine service they
nave been rendering the public. There
should be no weakening Of the morale,
or lessening of devotion to duty or
service to the public on the part Of
these people.
Would Follow Hoover.
1T occurs to me that the general
public will do well to adopt the common
sense platform so aptly announced BY
President Hoover In this regard when
he said:
We must not overlook the fact that
washington has an able and devoted
police force. The vast majority of its
honest men should be protected by de-
termining If there are unworthy men In
their midst. It is always possible that
occasional individuals may have over.
stepped the law and humanity in treat
ment Of criminals and those charged
with crime and, If so, they should be
severely punished. But even in such
charges. the police should not be pre-
judged on the allegations Of criminals
themselves, although accused of crime.
There Is too much tendency on the part
OF some people TO forget the devoted
work Of the police, to forget the safety
OF society and victims of criminals. out
| Of sympathy with criminals them
! selves"