Evening star., 1941-08-14
House Group
Expected toAsk
MorePo|icemen
Witnesses Soy ESQ
Additional Needed
In Washington

The House Appropriations Com
mittee is expecting from its def
cheney subcommittee tomorrow q
strong recommendation for addi-
tional Washington police. 1t was
learned today.
This morning the subcommittee
in executive session heard pleas by
Police Supt.-designate Edward j.
Kelly and by several members Of
Congress for at least $50 additional
men.
At the close of today's meeting,
it was learned that members are
sympathetic to the proposal. and
efforts are expected to be made to
rush the legislation to the floor of
the House before 1t starts tomorrow
night long series Of three-day re-
cesSeS.
Chairman Woodrum of the sub
committee announced that 1t would
report to the committee at IL am.
tomorrow.
The subcommittee today took up
bill by Representative Cochran.
Democrat, of Missouri calling for
appropriation of $158, 900 for 100 ad-
ditional policemen. 1t was disclosed,
however, that Mr.. Cochran, Inspec-
tor Kelly and other witnesses told
the group 100 was not enough, but
that there should be $50 more for
the current fiscal year. including the
"a new men already provided in the
regular District appropriation bill.
This would mean $50 or more in
the proposed new appropriation.
Schultz Urges More Men.
Representative Schultz, Democrat,
of Indiana, who headed the House
District Subcommittee that recent
ly Investigated the Police Depart
ment, told the Appropriation SUBJ
committee that the city should
have the additional policemen as an
emergency measure, in view of the
crime situation and the increasing
congestion of Washington.
Among the specific needs Mr..
Schultz mentioned were one addi-
tional scout car each for precincts
/, 2, 3. and 13. Inspector Kelly con-
Cured.
Another witness who urged more
policemen for the District at once
was Representative Dirksen of Illi-
nois. ranking Republican member Of
the House District Committee.
Force CsuIdaf Keep Pace. -
Inspector Kelly. Nho becomes act-
ing police chief tomorrow and who
will take ofiice permanently in the
fall. told. the subcommittee that
Washington's police force had fallen
far short Of keeping pace with its
growth in population. He pointed
out that the city had grown from
290, 900 to 667 900 since the last war
He agreed with the congressional
witnesses that 100 more policemen
would not be enough
Leaving the committee room, In
spector Kelly told newspapermen
that il he gets the additional po-
lcemen he will put most of them on
beats in uniform. The department
has enough detectives. he said. but
far from an adequate number OF
patrolmen.
Chairman Taylor of the Appropri-
ations Committee sat with the sub
committee, as did Chairman Mahon
of the committees District OF Co.
lumbia Subcommittee.
Two Bills Approved.
The House took step toward
aiding the District in its fight
against crime when 1t approved yes
terday two bills recommended by
the District Committee as a result
of the recent investigation of the
police department by a subcommit-
tee. The bills provide more drastic
penalties for habitual criminals and
for vagrants regarded as potentially
dangerous.
This legislation was sent to the
Senate and is expected to be taken
up there before the end of the week
Chairman McCarran planned to
poll the Senate District Committee
before bringing up the two bills on
the floor, and no opposition was an
ticipated.