Evening star., 1941-03-09
Commissioners
May Abolish
Inspectors Job
Citizen Observer
Traffic PIon Is
Backed by Hozen

The Commissioners indicated yes
terday that they probably will abol-
ish one of the eight positions of in
spector in the Police Department,
with the retirement of Inspector
William E. Holmes, and use the
,s4.500 annual salary for the hire of
two extra policemen.
At the same time, Commissioner
Melvin G. Hazen suggested the pos
sibility the city heads may adopt the
citizen observer plan for promot-
ing better observance of traffic regu-
lationS. although two of the Com
missionerS are somewhat dubious as
to the effectiveness of the proposal.
This may not be cure for nom
observance said Mr. Hazen. but I
believe We should try plans that seem
reasonable and have any prospect of
success, in the interest of the safety
of the public"
The present observer plan is con-
siderably modified from the original
suggestion for reports by unnamed
observers of traffic violations, on
which administrative action might
be taken. Under the present plan,
there would be 500 citizens desig-
mated for the work, their names
being published. No punitive action
would be taken as result of their
reports, but letters would be sent
to the motorist stating he had been
observed violating stated traffic
rules.
McCoach Is Skeptical.
Engineer Commissioner David
McCoach has said he is skeptical
of the effectiveness of the program,
but he has not declared he would
vote against it. Action is expected
to be delayed until Commissioner
John Russell Young returns from
a vacation. Mr.. Young has de-
clared he would oppose any secret"
citizen observers and it is not
known whether he will sponsor the
present plan, which has been in
dorsed by the Traffic Advisory
Counsel, although Police Supt. E.
w. Brown is reported to be doubt
full of its wisdom.
The Police Department has had
two inspectors assigned to traffic
control work since the elevation of
Arthur E. Miller to the post of in
spector Since Inspector Holmes
went on lease some weeks ago In
spector Miller has been acting in
charge of the traffic division. There
is one report that when Inspector
Miller was given his present rank,
there was something of an under
standing" that this extra post of in
spector would be dropped when In
spector Holmes retired.
Discussion Over Inspectorship.
There has been considerable dis
cussion over the traffic Inspector
ship. Although the Commissioners
have accepted Maj. Browns designa-
ton of Inspector Miller to have full
charge of traffic control work dur
ing Inspector Holmes leave period,
they announced they would insist on
determination of who finally took
over traffic supervision on the ex-
pected retirement of Inspector
Holmes. There are reports now cur
rent that some" of the Commits
sioners are suggesting that Capt.
Milton D. Smith, actual head of the
police trac division, or some other
captain. be given full direction over
traffic work and that Inspector Mil
Ter be assigned to other duties. There
was no official word to this effect,
however.
Yesterday also it was reported an
official of the Budget Bureau has
suggested to the Commissioners they
might effect a practical increase"
in the Police Department by having
one instead of two men assigned
to the police scout cars. Commits
sioner Hazen sent the suggestion
along to police officials for a report,
saving that the idea had been con-
sidered before, that police were
doubtful of its value since some Off
cials felt at least two men would be
needed to handle any real emergency
and that when single officer oper-
ating a scout car had to leave the
machine to make a telephone re-
port or to investigate reported trou-
BILE. the scout car was, during such
periods, out of service.
District officials wondered whether
the suggestion from the Budget Bu-
reau official indicated that the Fed
eral agency was preparing to re-
iect suggestions for considerable
increase in the number of Metropoli-
tan policemen. The Commissioners
have informally approved an in
crease in the number of police Off