Evening star., 1935-10-25
STRINGENT GAMING.
LAW FOR DISTRICT.
URGED BY BROWN.
Police Head, in Annual Re-
port, Also Asks 27O Ad-
ditionaI PrivateS,
CITES NEED TO FIGHT
NUMBERS RACKET HERE
Commissioner Hazen Approves
Recommendations and Will
Seek Their Adoption.

Enactment Of more stringent law
against gambling, which, he said, had
increased. due to the growth of the
numbers" racket, and enlargement
of the police force by 270 additional
privateS, we're urgently recommended
today by Police Supt. Ernest w. Brown
in his annual report to the Commits
sioners.
Maj. Brown also recommended re-
opening of the old second precinct
and creation Of a new precinct to
cover the area east of the AnacoStia
River and north of East Capitol
street, to relieve the burden carried
by the present No. IL.
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen, who
supervises the Police Department, an
nounced he favored all the recon-
mendations and would seek their
adoption. AS to the proposed ap-
pointment of 270 additional police
privates, however, he is reported to
have found that SO large an increase
would not be possible in the next
fiscal year, due to financial condi-
tionS. He and the other Commits
sioners are reported to have provided
for healthy" increase estimated to
be from rs to 80 more men.
Maj. Brown made the statement that
the Police Department Is in fine shape
following the conclusion today of his
annual inspection. Every precinct sta
ton. every officer and every piece Of
equipment was inspected.
Il don't believe the department has
been in such good shape as it is now
for many years" said Maj. Brown.
THE only sore spot is the second pre-
cinct station. but that is too old to pe
in good condition"
Passage Of Law Blocked.
Amendment Of the gambling laws
to put more teeth" into enforcement
was approved at the last session of
Congress by the Senate, but passage
was blocked by refusal Of the Judiciary
Subcommittee of the House District
Committee to act.
IF the authorities are to cope eff
GENTLY with the gambling situation.
specially the numbers game, it is
absolutely necessary that legislation
be enacted strengthening the existing
gambling laws" Maj. Brown declared.
Maj. Brown would increase the total
number of privates to $500. There
now is an authorized force of 1,341,
of whom Ill are officers.
Arguing for division of the present
No. II precinct into two police areas,
Maj. Brown said it now controls the
entire area east of the Anacostia
River, which has population of more
than 10000 and is increasing. He said
the location of No. II, Nichols ave-
nue. and Chicago street southeast, had
caused inconvenience to residents of
the Benning. Kenilworth and Dean
wood areas.
Wants Wrestling Law.
The police head also renewed his
suggestion for placing wrestling under
legal control, just as boxing is super
viSed He suggested the District Box
ing Commission be called the District
Athletic Commission and that it con-
troll both boxing and wrestling. Com
missioner Hazen approves this plan.
Maj. Brown said numerous COM
plants have been made about wreS-
tling bouts here and that conditions
have developed at wrestling bouts
that, IN my opinion, require that they
be under supervision"
Maj Brown also asked a change in
law to permit freedom in the assign
ment of headquarters and precinct
detectives. Members of the force now
cannot be detailed to the Detective
Bureau unless they receive 5000 a year
extra compensation and this prevents
assignment of precinct detectives or
elder officers to the bureau for special
service, he said.
Major Crimes Increase.
Statistical data submitted by the
police chief showed an increase in