Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-15
THE EVENING STAR.
The Metropolitan Police.

trfct commissioners, mention OF which was
made in yesterdays STAR, he states that It is
believed the police department will favorably
compare with any similar organization in the
country.
INCREASE OF THE FORCE.
The force as at present authorized IS entirely
too small for the duties expected of it. Since
1866, when the present number of patrolmen
ton OF the District has doubled. Millions have
been added to the value Of public and private
property, and what In 1860 was but barren
waste is now covered with buildings of great
value. With this increase the duties OF the
force have more than kept pace some of the
beats In the outer portions OF the city are If
teen miles and upwards ia length. While the
number Of patrolmen is numerically 200, that is
by no means the number available for patrol
Of
sentatives, &c, in attendance on the courts, as
witnesses In charge of prisoners, permanent
details for post duty at police
flee, Executive Mansion, District government
buildings, and absent from sickness. The aver
age Tor patrol duty VIII not exceed rs men. An
increase OF 200 patrolmen is respectfully recon-
mended.
STATION HOUSES.
The buildings rented By the District for sta
ton house purposes are not adapted to the ser
vice, being In sewerage and ventilation too
small, and 1nconveniently arranged. The total
cost OF rented buildings for the service is $3.50.
as stationhouses in the 3d. 4th, and stu pre-
cincts. The erection by the District govern.
ment or buildings TO take the place or those
now rented Is respectfully recommended.
REFORM SCHOOL.
Attention Is directed to the lack OF capacity
Of the reform school. Frequently incorrigib.eS
are. from inability 10 accommodate them, re-
turned to their parents or guardians to again
fan into the hands Of this department. This Is
very uniol 5unate, for many become hardened
OF this Institution be reclaimed.
The necessity OF providing light for number
less alleys is again brought TO the attention of
the commissioners.
AUTHORITY TO ISSUE WARRANTS OF ARREST
The department is often embarrassed and
Justice often defeated through restriction In the
issuing OF warrants OF arrest. The Police Co lrt
alone issues warrants without charge. Should
q case arise requiring a warrant after the adj
journment of the Police Court delay is nece5s-
lated until the next opening of said court,
thereby giving opportunity for the escape of
the offender. Justices usually close their oI1iceS
on The adjournment CT court. Should the ap-
plcaDt be successful In finding a justice of tue
peace, the warrant Is obtained at a cost of tifty
cents, TO the poor, warrants Of arrest should
not be an expense. 1t is suggested that the
pow er to issue warrants of arrest be vested In
The captain and lieutenants of police, without
additional compensation TO them or cost to the
applicants.
REFoRMAToRY FOR GIRLS.
In this, the capital Of a great and growing
county, there is not an institution for the
police department is very frequently called
upon to seek out the hiding places OF truant
young girls; When found, perforce, for the
want Of a place in which an attempt can be
made at their reclamation, they are returned TO
their parents or guardians to again meet and
mingle with the same vicious companions, and
in too many cases to return TO their evil ways.
Could they have been submitted to the counsel
and encouragement afforded by weil-con-
Quoted reformatory, their reclamation would be
more than probable. once founded, an inStitu-
tion OF this character could, it is believed, be
made self-Support1ng by the labor OF the in
mates In the various light empioyments, plain
and fancy needlework, &c, to which women
are adapted, and at the same time be the means
OF teaching them method of honestly earning
their living when discharged. The House OF
the Good Shepherd in Baltimore an Institution
of the character suggested, under the auspices
OF the Roman Catholic church, has kindly
taken many cases of abandoned young girls
from this city, but 1t cannot, in justice TO the
demands OF its own city, By any means respond
to the calls Of this department.
CITY HOSPITAL.
Attention Is directed to the necessity for
free city hospital. There Is no place to which
the suddenly sick or otherwise disabled can be
sent for immediate treatment The establish
ment Of free city hospital, having in connec-
ton free dispensary, is urgently needed.
ST. AIMS ASYLUM.
The superintendent expresses gratitude to
this Institution. 1t has readily responded to all
calls made upon 1t, and many infants there find
a kind nome, who would otherwise be cast upon
the doubtful charity OF the public.
MOUNTED FORCE.
In September, 1873, by authority Of the Com
missioLers, the mounted force was Increased to
So men, to more thoroughly patrol the county
beats Of the I'd, Sd, and tn precincts, where,
character OF the lower classes, the services OF
mounted patrolmen were greatly needed; their
| services IN the city have been none the less
valuable; enabled to cover vastly more ground
than footmen, they with the exception OF the
beat extending the length Of Pennsylvania
avenue, from capitol gate to 18th street y. VIZ
Kept constantly moving throughout the pre-
clnctS Their importance IN cases of fire Is
conspicuous; they are enabled to reach the
scene much earlier than footnen, and can with
much more ease control the excited crowds.
They have been very efficient In frequent visits
they are enabled to pay the puolic parks
Since the increase, complaints of lawleSsnesS
about the public squares have been much less
frequent.
AMBULANCE SERVICE.
The value OF this service is immeaSurable. 1t
Is urged that the pay of the driver of the am
bu,ance be increased to fifty (s5O) dollars per
month; he receives at present but thirty-fiye
$3.50 dollars o compensation Inadequate to the
services rendered.
INFIRM AND DISABLED POLICEMEN.
The necessity for some provision for infirm
and disabled policemen Is becoming more ap
parent. There are many on the force who from
long service and advancing years are become
physically incapable. They can but make a
pretence Of doing duty. AS far as the interest
signed to day post duty, but there are more
men who should have posts of easy duty than
there are places TO assign them. IL seems but
| Just and humane that such men should be re-
| tired from the service and properly cared for,
| leaving their places to be filled by young able
| bodied men.
TRAMPs.
| AS the cold weather approaches, the tramp
| seeks the city, and soon we shall be oyerrun.
! The station houses and night lodging house are
| nightly filled with them: many have to be de-
| MED shelter through lack of accommodation,
| thus casting adrift, to prey upon the public, a
| class who, II not already bad and depraved,
| soon become so through hardship and want. A
place Of detention for such In an Institution Is
| greatly needed, a place where for shelter and
food they can be compelled to render an
equivalent In public labor. as In breaking stone
| for highways, saving wood for public offices,
| cleaning such streets as do not conflict in the
| terms OF the contract with the street cleaning
| contractor. In this connection it Is recommen-
| ded that part OF the regimen of the work.
| house be the compulsory labor OF the inmates
| in some public work. The well-fed idlenes5 Of
| 80, GO or 80 days, Is but poor corrective to q
| majority Of the prisoners.
Estimates of expenses for fiscal year ending
| 30th June, 1881, foot up $310,12l.
| REsCALING OF PAY RECOMMENDED.
In conclusion, the superintendent desires to
call attention to the slight difference in pay OF
| the rank and file of the department. AS now
established, prvateS Of the second class receive
| 81 $50 Der annuIQ, SergeautS S1,140 and lieu.