Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-11
Mason Defends
CurtdiInlent Of
Auxiliary Police
Turns Down Proposal
To Swear Men In
As Special Officers

ington's auxiliary police be sworn
in as special officers, in order to give
them legal authority for actions be-
yond blackout service, were met to-
day wit ha definite mo" from Com
missioner Guy Mason.
His statement came amid discus
sion of the possibility of disruption
of the rank and file Of auxiliary
police because Of the Commission
ers' order Saturday limiting their
services to blackout responsibilities
on the ground that the law does not
permit them to have regular police
powers.
Commissioner Mason said Con-
gress from year to year has fixed
the size of the police force. We
cannot violate the intent of Con-
gress by bringing more policemen in
through the back door by permitting
auxiliaries to perform regular police
work.
Would Seek Increase.
eff Chief Kelly finds his force
cannot give adequate police protec-
ton with the present authorized
strength, then he should come to
the Commissioners and tell us So"
he said. IF more police are needed
we will go to Congress and sponsor
an increase in the regular force.
Last fall the Commissioners APP
proved a recommendation for 200
more police in the next fiscal year"
Asked about reports that many
auxiliary policemen would resign
because of the limitation the Com
missioners have placed on their ac-
Invites, Commissioner Mason said:
This Is their war as well as that of
any one else in the District. 1t is
their duty to help and it is not up to
the rank and file of the auxiliary
police to decide what their authority
should be. That is up to the adj
ministrative officers of the depart
ment and the Commissioners.
IF some of the auxiliary men
want to quit, that is up to them"
Cites CounsePs Ruling.
Commissioner Mason also said
that while under the Blackout Act
the Commissioners may empower
auxiliary police to make arrests and
to carry arms, they had not done so.
He cited also that the corporation
counsel had held that an auxiliary
policeman not granted this power
by the Commissioners had no greater
police authority than a private citi-
zen, but he added that any private
citizen witnessing the commission
Of felony can and is expected to
make an arrest to prevent the crime.
Mr.. Mason also revealed that the
corporation counsel had advised the
Commissioners not to empower
auxiliary police to carry arms or
make arrests.
Denies Suppression"
Mr.. Mason recalled that the Dis
trict in the past year approved the
employment Of about 100 guards to
patrol the Washington water supply
and distribution system. at a cost of
$500 900 or more. This was charged
against the Districts blackout fund
In addition, he said the Commits
sioners had brought about the en-
ployment of so or more defense
guards" at cost of about $4,000 a
year. also charged to the blackout
fund.
Members of the Auxiliary Police
Inspectors and Captains Associa-
ton, meeting at the Annapolis Hotel
last night, contended that the men
spend four or five nights a week at
police precinct stations.
"A resolution was adopted. with the
inspectors not voting, that the in
spectors be reinstated. One of the
effects of the Commissioners order
was to appoint no officers in the
auxiliary force beyond the rank Of
captain.
A mass meeting of the rank and
file of the force will be held as soon
as the status of the auXiliaries is
clarified 1t was decided. At the
same time, the association voted to
carry on under the Commissioners
order since the men have taken the
oath to serve during blackouts.
One of the resolutions adopted
at the meeting was a vote of con-
fidence In Maj Kelly.