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

Inc metIOROl1tRn EOA1Ce.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
In Major Morgan's annual report to the Dis
trict 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
(2o0) was authorized BY Congress the popula-
tion of the Disu let has doubled. Millions nave
property, and what in 1866 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 tif-
teen miles and upwards Ia length. While the
number Of patromen is numerically 200, that is
by no means the number available for patrol
duty. Large details are required for public re-
ceptions Of government officials, foreign repre-
sentatives, &C, in attendance On the courts, as
witnesses In charge OF prisoners permanent
details for post duty at police headquarters,
railroad depots, steamboat wharveS, health Of
fee, Executive Mansion, District government
buildings ard absent from sickness. The aver
age for patrol duty will not exceed l25 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
olUGl duu lUCUuftulSuUly dfTduSGU. Inc tOtal
cost OF rented buildings for the service is S. 96O
TheD1strict government own the buildings used
as stationhouses 10 the 80, 4th, and stu pre-
ctuctS. The erection by the District govern.
ment Of buildings to take the place Of those
now rented is respectfully recommended.
REFORM SCHOOL.
Attentions directed to the lack Of capacity
OF the reform school, Frequently tnc0rrtgib,eS
are, from inability 10 accommodate them, re-
turned to their parents or guardians to al gain
fall into the hands Of this department. This Is
J1pff otn for hna
in crime who might through the humane care
OF this Institution be reclaimed.
LIGHTING DARK ADLgYS.
The necessity Of providing light for number
less alleys is again brought to The attention OF
the Comm1s sionerS.
AUTHORITY TO lssUE WARRANTS OF ARREST
Tie department Is ofLen embarrassed and
Justice often defeated through reSt tricIion ia tee
issuing of warrants Of arrest. Tie Police Court
alone issues warrants Without Charge. Should
a case arise requiring a warrant after the ad-
journment OF the Police Court, delay Is neceSSt-
tated until the next opening OF said court,
Thereby giving opportunity for the escape Of
the offender. justices usually close their Offices
on the adjournment OF court. Should the ap-
plicant be successful Ia finding justice Of tue
peace, the warrant is obtained at cost of fifty
cents To the poor, warrants of arrest should
not be an expense. 1t Is suggested that the
power to issue warrants of arrest be vested in
the captain and ileutenantS of police without
additional compensation to them or cost to the
applicants.
REFORMATORY FUR GIRLS.
In this, the capital of q great and growing
country, there is not an Institution for the
reformation Of errlng young women. The
police department. Is very very frequently called
young girls. When found, perforce, for the
want Of place in which an attempt can be
made at their reclamation, they are returned to
their parents or guardians to again meet and
mingle wlththe same Vicious companions, and
in too many cases to return to their evil ways.
Could they have been submitted to the counsel
md annf off tod hry rol1 =
Quoted reformatoly, their reclamation would be
more than probable. Once founded, an instttu-
ton Of this character could, it is believed, be
mates in the Various light empioyments, p plain
and fancy needlework, &C., to which women
are adapted, and at the same time be the means
their living when discharged. the House Of
the Good shepherd In Baltimore, an institution
Of the character suggested, under the auspices
taken many cases Of abandoned young girls
from this city, but it capnot, 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 a
free city hospital There is no place to which
the suddenly sick or otherwise disabled can be
ment of free city hospital, having in connec-
ton free dispensary, Is urgently needed.
ST. AIMS ASYLUM.
this institution 10 has readily responded to all
calls made upon it, and many infants there find
kind home, who would otherwise be cast upon
the doubtful charity Of the public.
MOUNTED FORCE.
In September, 1878, by authority of the Com
missioners, the mounted force was increased to
81 men, to more thoroughly patrol the county
from the sparse settlement and marauding
character OF the lower classes, the services OF
mounted patromen 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
have not been confined to beats, but have been n
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 fOotmen. and can with
much more ease control the excited crowds.
They have been very efficient In frequent visits
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
bulance be increased to fifty (s5O) dollars per
month; he receives at present but JhirUy-five
(s35) dollars, compensation Inadequate 20 the
services rendered.
INFIRM AND DISABLED POLICEMEN.
The necessity for some provision for jnflrm
ana alsaped S policemen Is becoming @ more ap,
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. It 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.
AS the cold weather approaches, the tramp
seeks the city, and soon we shall be overrun
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, q 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 1t is recommen.
ded that a part Of the regimen of the work.
house be the compulsory labor of the inmates
In some public work. The welI-fed tdleness Of
80, 90 or 80 days, Is but poor corrective to q
majority Of the prisoners.