Evening star., 1941-02-20
Southwest Assured
Police Will Not Urqe
Restricted Areas
Maj. Brown Explains
Survey Interpretation
Was Erroneous

Mai. Ernest w. Brown, Superin-
tendent of police, last night assured
the Southwest Citizens Association
that he never has and never will
advocate restricted areas" for SOL
diers in Washington unless the War
Department asks that such sections
be established.
Maj. Brown reminded the some 200
persons who attended the asSocia-
tons meeting at the Jefferson
Junior High School that a committee
from that body had approached him
last year with the suggestion that
military police patrols be requested
for certain areas of the city, and
that he had opposed it.
At the opening of the session,
Harry S. Wender, association presi-
dent, said that the Southwest really
took it on the chin because of re-
ports in a local newspaper (not The
STAR last week about alleged Police
Department recommendation that
parts of the Southwest be restricted
for soldiers and patrolled by military
police.
Mai. Brown said he had asked his
inspectors to prepare information
regarding which sections of the city
might be patrolled by military police,
should it become desirable at some
future time. and that these data
we're printed in a newspaper with
the erroneous statement that the
plan had been recommended by the
Police Department and submitted to
the War Department.
Seeks to Prevent Disorder.
"What the police were doing and
will continue to do is to protect the
welfare of the citizens of the Dis
trict and prevent disorder MAJ.
Brown said, recalling that about ~
years ago a race riot was preclpl-
tated here by enlisted men off duty,
looking for a different kind OF
amusement"
Mai. Brown explained that, short
" after his inspectors completed
their reports, the survey was SUB
mitted to the Commissioners. The
city heads noted the contents, re-
leased it for publication, and re-
turned it ito me for filing until
such time as it is needed" he said.
Capt. Sidney Marks Of the Fourth
precinct told the association he felt
Mai Brown should be commended
for looking forward to the welfare
of all especially the youth OF our
city and other cities now going into
the armed services" He said he
couldn't see that military patrol OF
anv section would be a detriment,
but to the contrary would be big
help"
Newspapermen Speak.
Charter Heslep. managing editor
of the Daily News, and Frank G.
Waldrop of the Times-Herald spoke
briefly. discussing their papers ac-
tions in the matter
At a business session. the aSSocla-
ton adopted resolutions calling for
speedy conclusion" of the grading
of a playground area adjacent to the
jefferson Junior High School; the
fencing of the playground on the
school grounds to prevent trampllng
of the nearby library building grass,
and the screening of building win
dows facing the playground to
prevent breakage. These proposals
were presented by Harry V. Porter,
secretary of the association.
Another resolution, proposed by
DR.. Everett J. Gordon, chairman of
the Public Health Committee. would
add more dental equipment to the
Southwest Health Center. The
resolution was adopted along with
others calling for improvement of
grounds and fencing the property
on which the center is located. The
group also voted $40 to the Metro
politan Police Boys Club campaign.