The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-05-25
PREPARE TO FIGHT CRIMINALS

PKEFAHE IL FlSf1t SNiNAiAN
The Hickory Record urges that North
Carolina at once take steps to combat law
lessness with all the modern weapons Oh
defense and offenSe that can be assembled
for the purpose. The shooting of officers
at Newton by bandits some days ago has
aroused the people of Catawba county ana
of the State The menace of forms OF law
Iessness which have been the exception IN
this State is developing in North Caroline,
The State must be prepared to meet and
wipe out the gangsters The Record en-
ters into a somewhat lengthy discussion CT
the matter, which, because of its lmpor-
lance, this newspaper is pleased to repro
dlice 1t is as follows:
"When trio of bandits turned their guns on
two peace officers at Newton early last Friday
morning, they seem 10 have fired SHIFTS the reVef-
berations of which have not yet died away,
Gan over the state newspapers are discussing
the incident and Deputy Sheriff Ray Pitts and
Night Policeman Hoffman may not ne suffering IN
vain-for something definitely good and construc-
tive for North Carolina may be the direct result,
"As the Gastonia Gazette points out, the Incl
police patrol in North Carolina and also the need
of radio system of INSTRUMENTATION between
sherifs and chiefs of police.
However, The Gazette is in error when it adds:
eff there had been short wave radio set in
stalled in the Catawba county courthouse, every
sheriff and police officer within radius of so or
100 miles would have known about the Newton in
eident Immediately and every road would have
hao, A. np
hours before the news was generally known and
the bandits had plenty of time to make their get
away
CAS- matter of fact, arrangements have been
made whereby the Catawba county sheriff's office
has the use of the Hickory police department
broadcastiag facilities. and the automobiles of the
deputy shesifs are equipped with radio receiving
sets so that they may keep in touch with the broad
casting calls from Hickory at all hours of the day
and night. u. ...
''The trouble is that these radio broadeastng
stations are too few and too far between in North
Carolina. The need is for the state Highway patrol
department to install few master broadcasting
stations at strategic points in the state, and en-
courage the general installation of receiving sets
IN the automobiles Of all peace officers as well
as IN all police stations OF the state In this way
al cases of bandtry can immediately be made
known throughout the state so that the iob of
catching the desperadoes will be greatly simpl6ed
and expedited
From Raleigh, where some study is being given
to the suggestion of statewide radio system.
comes the report today that the only stumbling
block IS the cost which would not exceed $50 600
ms sum, 1T is maintained, would pay the cost Of
establishing four divisional sending stations at in
terVais Of 100 miles the state end of eouip
ping from geo to ESQ motorcycles and cars with
FeeefV'ng sets. Each station would have a sending
radius of at least 100 miles so that by using alb
-FOUR stations simultaneously, as could be done
every PatrOman and officer in the state could he
notified of a hOldup, bank robbery. cummings mu-
thy or prison escape within five minutes after it
had happened
IL Is Also pointed out that the facilities of these
stations would at all times be at the disposal of
the sherifs in the 100 counties of the state or of
the police departments in the various cities and
towns Thus in the case of a major crime the
sheriff. police officer or highway patroImen who
heaFd about it first would immediately call the
nearest radio station by telephone and give the
necessary facts, whereupon THESE facts would then
be- broadcast to every patrolman within a radius
on 100 miles, the description of the bandits and
ears used and Whist routes were taken.
1T is web that study is being given the urob-
lem with view to having all the informatiop A.
hand when the 1885 general assembly meets"
The broadca casting SYSTEM suggested by
The Record ought to be established apf
maintained by the State and all law en-
foreemeht offices and officers should hav,