The Washington times., 1934-09-27
POLICE CHIEFS
ASKED To CURB
GUN SALES
Fingerprinting of Passport
Applicants Also Urged
At Convention

Breaking a long-standing pre-
cedent that a host in each con-
vention city be elected first
vice president of the organiza-
ton, the Association of Police
Chiefs ignored Major Ernest w.
Brown, although paying him
high tribute, and elected An
drew ]. Kavanaugh, of Fairport,
N. Y. to the post.
The association elected Peter
j. Siccardi, of Bergen county,
N. j., as president for 1934-35.
Fingerprinting of all passport
applicants and greater restric-
tons on the sale of firearms were
urged today upon the Interna-
tional Association of Chiefs of
Police.
The police chiefs are holding
the closing session of their forty
first convention at the MayfloWer
Hotel.
Many internationally known
criminals might be prevented from
going from one country to an
other if their fingerprints were
taken every time they applied for
passport, Col. MacNeil Watts,
of the American Express Com
pany, told the convention.
Under the present system, he
said, there is no sure way OF
detecting an altered passport,
Check On Arms Urged
On behalf of the National Rifle
Association, E. F. Mitchell, of
Washington, made three recon-
mendations governing the sale Of
firearms.
He proposed a more rigid
licensing system; a heavier PEN
atty for misdemeanors or felonies
committed by armed persons, and
the withholding of licenses from
paroled prisoners, drug addicts,
former felons and vagabonds.
Several resolutions were passed
by the association, including one
which commended President
Roosevelt for his "sympathetic
understanding" of conditions fac
ing police today. The associa-
ton also elected to honorary
membership Capt. Richard Mans
field, of the local police depart
ment, in recognition of his con-
vention services.
Opposes Federal Plan
A third resolution authorized
appointment of two special COM
mittees, one to study the national
transient problem and the other
to seek an efficient method of
handling riots.
The organization also went on
record as opposing pending legis-
lation which would make certain
members of the Bureau of Investi-
cation officials in State police or
CARNATIONS.
Other speakers today included
Col. John A. Moss, president-gen-
eral of the National Flag Associa-
ton, who awarded a gold, law-en-
forcement medal to President
Charles A. Wheeler, of Bridgeport,
Conn, head of the police chiefs
association.
DR.. Wilmer Souder, of the Blu
reau of Standards, described the
scientific development in criminal
investigation: Kenneth F. M.
Kreml, of Evanston, ILL.,, discussed
Investigation of accidents, and
Chief Joseph T. Owens, of Rome,
N. Y, told of various aspects of
the juvenile problem.
Election Today
The convention today will elect
officers for the coming year and
attend banquet tonight at the
Mayflower Hotel.
Chief Peter j. Siccardi, of Der.
gen county, New York, is con-
coded the 1934-35 presidency by
virtue of his position as first
vice president.
The chief interest will center
around election of a first vice
president to replace Chief Sic
cardi. An outstanding candidate
is Washington'S superintendent
of police, Major Ernest w. Brown.
Also running is Chief Andrew
Kavanaugh, president of the New
York Association of Chiefs of
! Police.