Evening star., 1940-03-05
D. T.. Heads Due
To Call Crime
Par|ey Today
125 Police Get
Extra Night Duty in
Fiqht on Robberies

Washington-its streets patrolled
by 125 extra policemen-last night
passed its first night in nearly two
months without an armed robbery
This was the first victory for
police in their drive to nip the wave
of lawlessness which has plagued
businessmen and others during the
last few weeks. Maj Ernest w.
Brown. superintendent of police.
was elated and said he believed it
proved his argument that what the
city needed was more police.
Criminals don't like to see those
bluecoats on the street." he said to-
day. Il went around town late last
night and saw that the patrolmen
were out. And they're going to stay
out for while. too"
The 125 additional men in uni
form were out from 7 pm. until
midnight. augmenting the regular
night force. The extra men are
chosen from the day force and rep
resented one-third of the strength
OF that group.
No Funds For Exrta Pay.
The extra duty means that every
third night, members of the day
shift will have to put in five hours
overtime. The police have no funds
to pay for this overtime. Major
Brown has requested for some time
that at least 100 men be added to
his force.
This request and other aspects
of the crime situation will be con-
sidered by the Board of Commits
sioners at their meeting today. Com
missioner Melvin c. Hazen said he
would ask the Board to approve his
plan for conference of police and
prosecutors to discuss the law en-
forcement situation here.
The conference was suggested by
Chairman King of the .Senate Dis
trict Committee, who said he had
recommended it primarily to find out
to what extent "floaters" from out
side the District may be responsible
for crime here
Many Believed "FlOaterS."
II have been advised" said Senator
King, that large number of those
convicted and sent to the Lorton
Reformatory here are not residents
of Washington but floaters.
Il intended no criticism of the
authorities, but thought it might be
helpful if the Commissioners went
over the situation with police officials
and gathered all the information
available" he added. Senator King
also suggested that some new legis-
1ation may be advisable to deal with
the migratory problem if it develops
that it is an important factor in
crime here.
Regarding the conference, Com
missioner Hazen said he expects to
call every police official from cap
tain on up" to sit in conference
with the Commissioners, Corporation
Counsel Elwood H. Seal and a rep
resentative of the United States at
torney's office"
Police Praised
Mr.. Hazen expressed his con-
fdence IN the police, asserting they
are doing fine job" At the same
time he expressed the view that
much of the crime here may be due
to inadequacy of present laws,
matter he intends to study further
Headquarters detectives, working
under 1t. John Fowler. yesterday ar
rested an additional IS men for in
vestigation, bringing the total to
more than 120 during the last week
in an effort to stamp out robberies
and catch those responsible for the
holdup- murder of Herman Sirkis
liquor store proprietor, in his shop.
More than so victims of recent
crimes have been asked to attend a
lineup of the suspects at police
headquarters at 7 o'clock tonight.