HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1733

sion bills be vetoed. I have taken occasion to examine care-
fully every one of the cases and to consider the reports and
histories of each individual matter.

In order to maintain the policy which has long been in force
and to insure against any innovations which might have detri-
mental effect upon the Police Pension Fund, I am compelled to
veto the measures.

Chapter 619 (House Bill 288). This measure would compel
the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City to change every
policeman's shift of duty once in each four weeks period. The
measure further fixes by law the hours of duty of policemen.

Commissioner Stanton urgently recommends the disapproval
of this measure. By the terms of the measure, it is contended
the Police Commissioner would be deprived of his right to
assign men to shifts or to special duty as he deems necessary
and advisable.

Furthermore, the Police Commissioner states that the pro-
posed system was tried out previously and was found to be
impractical.

In such an important department as the police force, I con-
sider it unwise legislation which would mandatorily regulate
the hours of duty of the members, in such a way that the head
of the department would be deprived of his right to assign the
men as his judgment dictates. Of course, where deserving men
are entitled to the more desirable assignments during daylight
hours the Commissioner has the authority to assign them. But
to compel him by law to shift his men when the interests of the
force and of the public might suffer thereby would be a highly
dangerous requirement.

Chapter 622 (House Bill 382). This bill would make pos-
sible an appeal from the decision of the Police Commissioner
of Baltimore City on the dismissal or suspension of members
of the Police Department. This would be a drastic change in
the system which has obtained and under which the discipline
of the Police Department has been maintained for years.

I consider that the provision of this hill would seriously
interfere with the powers of the Police Commissioner to en-
force discipline among members of the force and would deprive
him of the necessary authority to regulate the conduct of his
subordinates.

As I am firmly convinced that this measure would be detri-
mental to the interests of the Police Department of Baltimore
City, I am compelled to exercise my veto.