Evening star., 1935-03-13
STRONG PETITION
FOR MORE POLICE
GIVEN SENATORS
Subcommittee Also Hears
Needs of Health Depart
ment and Library.
ADDITION OF 141 TO
FORCE RECOMMENDED
Statistics Show Traffic Increases,
With Only % Men on Duty
in Precinct.

Backed by a strong petition from
officials today explained to the Sen
ate subcommittee holding hearings on
the 1896 District appropriations bill
the necessity for 14l additional po-
licemen.
The subcommittee also heard testi-
mony from other officials on the needs
of the free Public Library system,
Fire Department, Health Department,
highways. electrical division and sew
eral smaller municipal services.
The Police Department was repre-
sented by Maj. Ernest w. Brown, su-
perintendent; the libraries. by DR..
George F. Bowerman, librarian. Other
witnesses included the newly ap-
pointed health officer, DR.. George G.
Ruhland; Capt. Herbert c. White
hurst, engineer of highways, and Fire
Chief Charles E. Schrom.
Book Fund Needed.
Subcommittee members obtained in
formation on the growing demand on
the public libraries for service since
the depression started. There was
discussion of several items. not pro-
vided for in the House bill, but which
are urgently needed. These include
addition of $4,000 to the fund of
books and periodicals; S2625 for
maintenance of the new Georgetown
Branch Library, which is expected to
open in October; a small increase for
personal services to avoid furloughs,
and a small increase for the music
division
Although the House bill contains
$50, 900 for books and periodicals. half
of this amount will be required to
stock the new Georgetown branch,
leaving only $4,000 for the main
library and nine other agencies.
With regard to highway improve
ments. the Senate Subcommittee has
been advised that the House bill would
leave a surplus of s50000O lying idle
in the Treasury in the gas tax fund,
which can only be used for highway
work. The Senate could add about
$3.50 900 for highways. leaving the
balance in the gas tax fund for work.
ing capital.
Groups Urge Policemen.
Spokesman for joint committee
representing Washington civic and
trade organizations laid before Chair
man Thomas of the Senate Subcom-
mittee on District Appropriations a
strong appeal for more policemen.
Later in the week this joint COM
mittee will appear before the Senate
subcommittee to explain their request
in detail.
The statement filed with Senator
Thomas by Sylvan King, chairman of
the joint citizens group, Endorsed the
original recommendation of the Police
Department for 141 additional police
men,
This request would mean restoring
IS positions in the department elm
mated by the economy provisions of
1888, and 106 new positions.
The citizens petition cited the grow
ing toll of traffic deaths and the daily
reports of murders, robberies and less
ers crimes as demonstrating the ne
cessity for greater protection.
Special Details Cited.
The letter, also addressed to chair
man King of the Senate District Com
mittee and to Chairman Norton of the
House District Committee, quoted fig
ures on special details last year.
During the year 1872 men were used
to attend the President when he ap-
peared at public functions; 80 attend
ed White House functions; 81 at
tended embassies here; 81 attended
dedicationS of new Government build
ings; 81 attended cabinet receptions;
396 were detailed for parades, and 592
were required to attend strikes dem
onstrations and meetings of agitators
OF various classes
1t was also poitned out that while
there has been no increase in the per-
sonnel of the department, the motor
vehicle registrations have increased
24,805 in the past three years. Wash
ington traffic requires SO policemene to
be stationed at strategic intersections
during the rush hours and 121 patrol
men are stationed morning and after
noon at public schools to protect chill
dren. In spite of these details, 1875
men, women and children were killed
in traffic last year.
1880 on Duty Daily.
The total authorized force at pres
ent is 1906 men. BY act of Con-
rress. one-seventh of 1856 men are
off daily. On an average there are
40 more off daily, either on leave or
because of illness. At best 1000 men
are on duty daily. OF these 180 ham
die traffic alone, leaving 900 to be
divided among the l3 precincts, il
none Is assigned to a special detail;
an average of 50 on the three shifts
at each precinct. or % officers and
men for each precinct at any one
time. From this % must be sub
tracted the detective forces at mead
quarters and the precincts and all the
administrative officers, 1t was pointed
out.
The petition was adopted several
weeks ago at a joint meeting OF rep
resentatiyes of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association, Board OF
Trade. Federation of Citizens Assocla-
tions, Federation of Civic Associations,
Federation Of Business Mems Associa-
tions, Federation of Civic Clubs, Fed
Grafton of Women's Clubs, Congress
Of Parent Teacher Associations, Dis
trict of Columbia Public School Asso-
citation, American Automobile Assocla-
ton and the Keystone Motor Club.
plav tn Re Presented.