Evening star., 1947-10-22
Fami|yMayGet
Benefit Despite
Fisher Shortage
Police Associations
Payment Depends on
Strengthening Funds

StIuISHtenI1S TunuS
A S208 shortage in collections
handled by the late Pvt. Oscar l..
Fisher at No. police precinct for
the Policemen's Association is ex-
pected to be Strengthened out" so
his family will not lose a 5000 death
benefit, association officials said to-
day.
The shortage was officially an
nounced by Trustees Committee
at the associations meeting last
night in Odd Fellows Hall, 419 Sew
enth street NV. The $208 repre-
Sented association dues collected by
Pvt. Fisher over a four month pc
riod last summer, but not turned in
to the financial secretary, the COM
mittee reported.
Pvt. Fisher, veteran desk clerk at
No. 4 precinct, committed suicide
September 18. A report by District
Auditor Arthur R. Pilkerton on Oc-
tober IS disclosed that $157 and a
watch taken from four men at the
time of their arrest at the station
never were sent to the police prop
erty officer or returned to the own
ers.
Another Shortage Made Up.
The audit also revealed that
$l45.70 shortage existed at one time
in Pvt. Fishers accounts of money
collected in nonsuppOrt cases. This
shortage, however, was made up be-
fore the audit started and reported
ly was covered by contributions by
other policemen at the precinct.
The District auditor has no iuris-
diction over finances of the three
police associations.
Capt. John E. Fondahl, president
Of the Policemen's Association, ex-
planned the $208 shortage in the as
sociation's funds could be covered
by withholding the 5000 death ben
eft to which Pvt. Fishers family
would be entitled. The benefit will
not be paid until I'VE are certain the
shortage will be Strengthened out"
he said.
He declared he "has reason to be-
lieve" the S208 will be paid to the
association, but he declined to COM
ment at this time on the source
from which it may come.
Barrett Attends.
Police Supt. Robert J. Barrett
attended last nights meeting, but
left before the trustees submitted
their report. In brief speech he
assured the organization that Il am
for the policeman when he is right,
and even when he is wrong I will be
for him as long as is proper and
possible"
Maj. Barrett urged policemen to
be courteous, but he added that "the
public also has duty to be courte-
Gus to policemen"
After the reading of the report
concerning Pvt. Fishers accounts.
the association made the first move
toward adopting bylaw amend
ments to tighten the collection pro-
cedure.
AS recommended last month by
Capt. Fondahl, precinct collectors
1o4 Wiz 0SoOSldU1Ol1 WOU1u SSIiQ
money and an itemized collection
list to the financial secretary by
the end of each month. The secre-
tary, following an examination by
the trustees, would return the re-
ceipted list to be posted in each
precinct to show not only the status
of the general fund but the names
of members in arrears.
This bylaw. submitted to the
members last night, will be voted
on at the November meeting.
Officers Nominated.
Capt. Fondahl explained that Pvt.
Fisher had a good collection record
for several years. Principally be-
cause of the summer recess of the
association and because of a gradual
habit Of reporting only every other
month, Pvt. Fisher fell four months
behind in sending in his collections,
the association president said.
Most of last nights meeting con-
sisted of nominations of associa-
tion officers who will be elected
next month and installed in Janu-
ary. The following members were
nominated.
For president, Capt. Fondahl and
1t. Harry c. Blackman; first vice
president, Pvt G. E. Woods and
Pvt. ]. J. Lyons; second vice presi-
dent, Detective Sergt. L. E. Berry
and Corpl. J. l.. Proctor; recording
secretary. Pvts. C. L. Wright and
P. E. Peterson; financial secretary,
Corpl. S. w. Stickley and Pvt. C.
w. Flynn; treasurer, Pvts. E. S.
Waller and F. A. Wallace; trustee
for three years. Sergt Sidney F.
Malone and Corpl. Herman Sauer;
legislative committee member for
three years, Pvt. R. L. Givens and
Detective George E. Cooper, and
legislative committee vacancy, Capt.
Clarence E. Lutz and Sergt. George
G.. Hebble.