Evening star., 1956-03-27
Murray Thanks
Supporters Of
Larger Force
House-Pussed Bill
To Add ESQ Men .
Goes to Senute Uni,

/ ~
Police Chief Robert v. Murray
today expressed his appreciation
to more than a score Of citizens,
business and women's groups
which passed resolutions or ap-
peared in behalf of legislation
for a 2.500-man police force.
The bill, which would increase
the force by some $50 men,
passed the House yesterday and
now goes to the Senate District
Committee.
II sincerely hope the Senate
will go along with the need for
"a stronger force" Chief Murray
said. There is still too much
crime in the District and the only
way to reduce and prevent it is
by having more uniformed police
on the streets around the clock.
Criminal Is Target
"I have repeatedly told our
men that I would rather see
them bring in one criminal who
knocks down a woman on the
streets and snatches her purse,
or a vicious yoke robber who
beats his helpless victim, than
to put out 1000 tickets on auto
mobiles for minor parking viola
tions.
Much of the effort of the
Police Department over recent
months has been devoted to
prevention and apprehension of
such type of criminal. I believe
our department has done a Won
derful job with the men we now
have, but I am certain that a
much better job can be done
with additional personnel"
House action followed a story
in The Sunday Star which re-
vealed an increase in purse
snatchings and crimes against
women walking the streets alone
at night.
Story Put in Record
During discussion of the police
bill, Representative David, Demo-
crat of Georgia, who was han
ding the measure, placed in the
Congressional Record The Stars
story by reporter Miriam Often
berg.
Mr.. Davis, who had engaged in
a colloquy with Representative
O'Hara, Republican of Mime
sofa, also placed in the record a
number of letters from citizens
associations asking for an in
creased police force.
The bill passed by voice vote
without objection.
The House also passed but
amended a bill extending the
| time for the District of Columbia
Auditorium Commission to give
its report to Congress.
Deadline in 1857
AS amended, the m assure
would extend from February l
of this year to January 81 of
next year the deadline for the
commissions report on plans.
On a motion by Majority
Leader Mccormack, Democrat
Iof Massachusetts,, proviso
which would have continued the
commission in existence until
construction of the auditorium
has been completed" was strick-
en- from the bill.
Proponents Of the project
pointed out that extension of the
deadline for a report into the
first month of the new 85th
Congress next year would give
the commission more time. Fur
thermore, it was pointed out,
the commission, if it desired,
could make recommendations as
to any further extension Of the
life of the Planning Commission.
Other Bills Voted
Other bills passed by the
House and sent to the Senate
would:
Authorize the judges of the
District Court who appoint the
members of the District Board
of Education to remove any
member Of the board "at any
time for adequate cause affect
ing his character and efficiency
as a member"
| Authorize the District Com
missioners to provide regulations
for a delayed reporting of births
in the District for persons who
were born before the District
established birth certificates.
Exempt from real estate taxes
property of the General Fedora
ton of Womens Clubs at 1874
N street NV. and at 1888 N
street NV.
Prohibit picketing in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of the White
House.
Increase the term Of the judge
Of the District Tax Court from
four years to 10 years and i'm
prove his retirement provisions.
Correct certain pay inequities
flor members of the District Fire
Department, including drivers Of
fire engines and others.