Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-08
Davis Backs Boost
In Police to $500
Spencer Opposes
Increase Asked
By 5 Witnesses

Legislation to authorize an in-
crease in the Washington police
force to $500 men was strongly
urged today by five witnesses but
opposed by District Commissioner
Samuel Spencer.
After hearing testimony before
a House District subcommittee
OF which he is chairman, Repre-
sentative Davis, Democrat OF
Georgia. said he hoped to have
the bill approved by the sub
committee.
Furthermore, Mr.. Davis added
he hopes that the measure can
be ready for action next Monday
by the full House District Com
mittee.
At present a police force OF
2,278 men is authorized.
Supporting the measure were:
George L. Hart. jr., chairman
of the Law Enforcement Council
of the District; Ralph L. Pitt
man. president of the Washing
ton Criminal Justice Association;
Police Chief Robert v. Murray,
Royce L. Owens, president of the
Policemen's Association of the
District, and Mrs. Harvey w.
Wiley, first vice president of the
Women's City Club.
Criticizes Cockrill
Mr.. Pittman created a sur
prise at the hearing by criticiz-
ing Juvenile Court Judge Edith
Cockrill.
He said his association had
received excellent cooperation
from police, prosecutors and all
sectors of the courts here with
the exception of the Juvenile
Court judge.
He testified that his group was
very much shocked" to learn Of
the large number of juvenile re-
peaters. He charged that lack
of cooperation had delayed
studies of this problem but he
still hoped to get some co-opera-
ton from Judge Cockrill.
Chairman Davis said he was
amazed" at the attitude Of the
judge. He said that in some
quarters it appeared that jul
Ivenile courts were set up to pro-
tect juvenile criminals. This
he branded as the wrong atti-
tude."
Promises Cooperation
Declaring that in his opinion
it was Outrageous" to operate
on theory that the court should
protect frequent repeaters and
get them out as soon as possible,
Mr.. Davis promised co-opera-
ton of his subcommittee in try
ing to solve the problem faced by
the association.
Proponents of the bill pointed
to the need for more police here
based on the crime rate Of
serious offenses here.
Statistics were cited by wit
neSSes for the bill to show that
there is more serious crime here
than in most other cities of COM
parable size Chief Murray, for
instance, said serious crime in
Boston is only about one-half
that in Washington. Boston, he
said, has more city police.
Commissioner Spencer told the
subcommittee, on the other
hand, that he realized the need
for more police but said the
pending bill was not necessary
to increase the force.
Even though the bill were
enacted so as to require a MINI
mum number of officers and
members" the commissioner
said, "the actual number de-
Ipends on appropriation of funds
to meet the expenses"
Cites Fiscal Dilemma
Explaining the fiscal dilemma
Iot the city. Mr.. Spencer said
the city heads could not now ap-
prove the bill.
Mr., Pittman said the Washing
ton Criminal Justice Association
reiterated that a 2.500-man po-
lice force is imperative" 1.-THE
lack of sufficient police person.
nel," he said, sis the most amaz-
ing form of false economy"
Mr.. Hart said the additional
forces are needed not only to pro-
tect the residents of the District
but also the thousands of visitors
who come here.
Mrs. Wiley pointed to several
cases of thievery and attacks on
members of her Women's City
Club.
Pvt. Givens said the police
mems association supported the
police chief 100 per cent in his
position requesting passage of
the bill.