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INSTITUE ON RACE RELATIONS
922 G. Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

July 12, 1947

Senator J. Howard McGrath, Chairman
Public Service Sub-Committee
Senate District Committee
Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.

Dear Senator McGrath:

The purpose of this letter is to call [[delete]]to[[delete]] your attention to certain important shortcomings in the police set-up here in the Nation's Capital and the solicitation of your aid to help remedy the situation.

This matter, which is of utmost concern to minority groups, has been spotlighted by the recent expose of unrecorded cases of crime by a prominent Washington newspaper and Superintendent Barrett's expressed desire to improve the D.C. Police Department.

I am sure that you will agree with me that the following vital factors, which are in accordance with justice, have been overlooked.

They are (1) A representation of Negroes on the Police Force Proportionate to the Negro population in the Nation's Capital, (2) Regular increased opportunities for advancement of Negro Policemen coupled with the installation of several Negro police officers, (3) An assignment of Negro personnel to scout cars in order to eliminate partiality shown to white members of the force, (4) Immediate and adequate attention to the crime situation in Northeast Washington in order to give this large segment of our city the proper police protection.

I am in accord with members of my organization that when these things are taken care of, our Nation's Capital will be placed in an advanced position towards the attainment of the cherished status of "model city of the world".

Sincerely yours,
/s/ Tomlinson D. Todd
TOMLINSON D. TODD, President
Institute on Race Relations