Evening star., 1938-02-03
HAzEN REQUESTS
MORE POLICEMEN
Tells Senate Group, How
ever, No Unusual Crime
Wave Exists Here,
By J. A. O'LEARY.

Denying there is an unusual crime
wave in Washington now, Commits
sioner Hazen told the Senate District
Committee today the Commissioners
nevertheless are anxious to reduce it,
but need more policemen, more judges
and law for the registration of GRIM
inals entering the city.
A high light of the meeting was a
demand by Senator Bilbo. Democrat
Of Mississippi that Congress rid itself
OF all this peanut business"
Turn the city over to the people
Of the District and let them vote" Sen
ator Bilbo declared Congress has no
time for this peanut business. 1t is
not the business of Congress to be run
ming city like this"
King Explains Position.
Pointing out that he has had many
letters, some defending the police and
others complaining against them,
Chairman King said he had called the
meeting, not in a critical spirit, but
for constructive action If legislation is
needed to improve conditions.
The chairman declared, however, he
would not support the recommends
tion Of Maj. Ernest w. Brown to the
Commissioners last summer for 100
more policemen, believing that number
too great. He cited possible injustice
growing out of the criminal registra-
ton plan. but told the Commissioners
to submit bill for study.
Senator King also expressed hope
the House will pass the Senate
approved bill to tighten the anti
gambling laws. after Mr.. Hazen had
cited the numbers game as one source
of crime here
Before taking up the crime situation,
the committee reported favorably two
minor Senate bills, namely: To ex-
empt from taxation the property of
the Society of the Cincinnati on
Massachusetts, avenue which is to be
used as a patriotic museum, and a bill
70 clarity the titles and duties of the
chief clerk and chief sanitary inspec-
tor OF the Health Department.
Bills Referred.
The following bills were referred to
subcommittee for further study: To
create board of appeals for coming
problems; to authorize a revision of
the District code; to regulate the
small business; to enable the Traffic
Department to record liens against
automobiles to improve the motor
vehicle title law. and proposed regula-
tion OF BARRIERS and beauty shop
operators.
1t was announced that members of
the House District Committee are
willing to recall the bill for the
mechanical inspection Of automobiles,
passed by both houses, to make two
amendments. Washington I. Cleve-.
land Of the A. A. A. District Motor
Club said one amendment would
credit inspection fees to the motor
vehicle and highway fund instead of
the general fund. The other would
have the annual inspections start in
1899.
Chairman King quoted Representa-
tive Collins of Mississippi, in charge
of District appropriations, As saying
has more police in pro-
portion to population than other cities
and that the House Appropriations
Subcommittee has allowed the de-
partment everything asked for.
Mr.. Hazen said, however, the Com
missioners had asked the Budget Bu-
reau for IS additional policemen.
The Commissioners argued that even
if Washington was up to the level Of
other cities in ratio Of police to popu-
lation, Congress should remember
that many police must be withdrawn
from regular duty for special detail
growing out of the fact that this is
the National Capital.
When Senator King said the Federal
Government polices its own buildings
and parks. Mr.. Hazen replied they only
policed the inside and sometimes called