Evening star., 1952-07-18
Police Budget
Would Restore
116 Job Cuts
Fire Department
Again Asks Two
New Stations

NeW St0tl0nS
Restoration Of 116 jobs that
must remain untitled in the 1853
fiscal year because of budget
slashes by Congress is the big item
in the Metropolitan Police De.
partment budget requests for 1854.
The Fire Department also has
a job-lapse problem, but it is en-
phasizing the need for building
two new fire stations across the
Anacostia River. It's 1854 budget
estimates call for a total of S.
1854 900, which is $4,000 higher
than this years appropriation.
The estimates, released today at
the District Building, call for
total Police Department appropri-
ton Of $10,735, 900. This is $685.
900 higher than the current
budget, and nearly 100000 of the
increase Is to restore about half
of the lapsed jobs.
Actually, the department has EOS
vacancies that must remain va
cant this year because of budget
cuts. This leaves the force at q
shade under 2,100, when its au-
thorized strength is 2,290. ReSto-
ration of the 116 positions is es-
sential, according to police off,
cials, to provide proper police pro-
lection.
It was pointed out that the
House District Crime Investigating
Committee headed by Representa-
tive Davis, Democrat, of Georgia,
recommended bigger force than
that presently authorized.
Points to Recruitment.
Police Chief Robert v. Murray
declared today, moreover, that he
is fully confident that the depart
ment's recent recruiting program
would have provided sufficient
personnel to fill the 116 requested
posts. Maj. Murray said large
number of inquiries by interested
would-be policemen have been re-
ceived at headquarters and the
Civil Service Commission.
Other than trying to meet per-
sonnel needs, the department asks
for only modest increased bene.
: fits, officials feel.
Authorization of six special pro-
motions are sought: A new in
!, spectorship, three new captaincieS
and two new lieutenancies. All
but one of the captains would
fit into the new Morals Division
setup.
+. Maj. Murray said he needs an.
other inspector so he can pro-
ceed with his plan to rotate the
! leadership of the division. He
said he already has a captain and
a lieutenant to spare for one of
the threee squads under the di-
vision, but he needs two more of
: each to head the other two squads.
I The squads are: Prostitution and
e perversion, narcotics and gam
t bling and liquor. These promo
tions would total $8,703 a year.
v Fifteen detective-Sergeant pro-
!. motions from among privates, also
= requested, total -$13,500.
Crane Operators Sought.
e With traffic violations and acci-
/ dents what they are, three new
E towing crane operators, at $2,750
a annual salaries each, are re-
D Iquested. The force now consists
of nine.
Higher costs and the replace
4 Iment of outworn equipment &C.
counts for an increase Of $40,825.
To dispense with the past practice
of borrowing vital equipment for
!. the Traffic School for errant
drivers, the force seeks $4,000 for
|. such items as movie protector
and chairs.
: An additional $500 is needed
= for radiation detection equipment
and clerical equipment in connec-
ton with civil defense and the
Police Reserve Corps.
q The fifth officer promotion re-
!. queSted concerns the liaison officer
at the courthouse. This officer
should be captain instead of Q
lieutenant, Maj. Murray feels.
$4,000 for Firehouses.
The Fire Department Is still
plugging away, as 1t has since
1947. for construction of two new
a f1rehouSes east of the Anacostia
River. These projects would cost
: $490, 900 out of a total budget in.
crease Of $587,000.
There are only four stations in
!, that section, all built before 1910.
!. And the population in that area
has grown enormously in the last
!. 10 years.
Sites have been bought for the
= stations. proposed at Forty ninth
and East Capitol streets and
> Twenty fourth and Irving streets
|, Sc. Plans are all set.
The department also wants
500, ,655 to restore 20 lapsed jobs.
4 The firefighters are now 80 under
, the authorized strength of 1,064.
No recruiting problem is antic-
!. Iipated.
Only one new piece Of fire ap-
lparatus is requested--a $4,000
= bumper.