Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-29

To the Editor Of TIE EVENING STAR:
The article in your issue OF Saturday, the 25th
inst, copied from the New York Sun of same date,
containing serious charges against Some WASH
tngton Detectives" demands the solemn con-
slderation of the citizens and taxpayers OF
the City OF Washington As one OF the men,
bers OF the "Committee of One Hundred" I
have been considerably exercised Of late as to
whether that committee should not be con-
vened to consider the propriety OF taking some
action with regard to the injury now being done
to our beautiful city from what seems to be the
culpable Indifference of the police and detective
bureau to the preparation OF crimes or all sorts
in our midst Your manly course in the matter OF
the star route trial encourages me to believe that
you Will devote some OF your time ana space 10
the consideration OF q matter OF vital Importance
to our interests, to w.t. the suppression OF crime
and the maintenance OF that order and good repu-
and wealth from all parts Gy Of our country
Pardon me now for mentioning few facts, not ut
all fof the purpose or fault-fnding, but with the
hope OF arousing the attention of the authorities
and OF awakening vigilance where now there is
supineneSS- In the neighborhood in which re-
siae me, nearly every house fronting on the avenue
tween Thomas circle and 9Th Street, along N, rob-
berries OF daring character have been frequently
committed, and there are doubtless many Others
Oh when no report is ever made. Ladies
on our public streets are inSulted Their satchels
and pocket-books are snatched from them on
frequented thoroughfares and avenues ViSi-
tors TO our city are entrapped and robbed.
Many OF these things occur In broad daylight.
AS one who has labOred with you Mr.. Editor, for
the welfare OF our city when Others were asleep,
must ask you IL something can not be done to cor
rect these evils? Do you believe the District al-
thorities are as vigilant as they ought to be? Do
you think the superintendent OF police is efTi-
Client as he might be? In reporting robbery at
my own residence not long since it seemed to me
that the formalities to be observed at the detec-
tive bureau were equal to the red-tape-1Sm that
prevails In the New York custom house. 1t seems
incredible that the rObberieS enumerated In your
Saturday edition could have occurred, and the per-
petrators escape detection for SO long a time,
unless there was collision some where. The
prompt action OF President Arthur in the matter
OF the removals OF certain high officials In the star
route matter leads me to invoke
through your worthy paper the aid
OF all our business men, whose living
depends in great measure upon the good name OF
our city. To suppress crime 1t is necessary to 60
among the evil doors. The success OF the great
French detective, Monsieur Lecocq, was due to the
fact that he not only planned the capture OF
thieves In his Office, but he laid aside his uniform
and. for the time being, donned that OF private
citizen and never for a moment lost sight OF the
suspected criminal. II the District authorities
give their individual attention and see
By personal observation that every police
man does his duty and is above suspicion. +.