Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-09
THE CONDITION OF THE POLICE
FORCE.
The SugEestions in the Annual Report
of the Chief Of Police.

VIM. Nee Dye, the major OF the METROPOLITAN
police, has completed his annual report, and viii
soon submit II TO the District Commissioners The
report states that there has been a marked I'M
pavement in the condition OF the force IN capa-
biliaes and in actual work done. Under the law
the District was, at the end OF the fiscal year.
entitled 10 and had regular police force OF one
major, one captain and Inspector. ten neuIenants,
twenty sergeants, 185 prvates or the second class
and 80 privatss OF the first class and 81 persons
holding commissions as private watchmen.
The major renews the Recommendation for the
increase OF the police force, the necessity for II
being obvious he thinks, TO any one who knows
that there Is but one policeman 10 each square mile
OF territory. Eve must have a sufficient force OF
men, not only TO look after criminals. but
TO prevent,riolations of the District ordinances,
including those necessary 10 health, licenses the
erection OF buildings, &c" For such duty the aid
afforded by the police telephone ana the signal
telegraph system, and other mechanical contrir-
ancas, is useless
Tae report speaks OF the aid in other directions
given by these new methods introduced and
quotes from Lieut. AuStln's report, in which he
states that after sixteen weeks trial OF the Game
well police telephone and postal system, he is
most sanguine expectations, and has proven a
beneficial auxiliary 10 the force in this precinct"
Major Dye states that since his last annual re-
port ST Louis, Columbus ana many smaller cities
have adopted this system. he recommends It's
adoption by the Commissioners and the accept: nee
OF the boxes which have been on trial in the NTH
precinct, for which an appropriation was made at
the last session or Congress. Major Dive further
recommends that the system be EXTENDED To the
seventh precinct.
The report recommends that the Commissioners
Include in their estimates increase sufficient TO
add twenty men 10 the force. "A further Increase
OF nifty men we should have, but the revenues Of
the District DO not warrant me In estimating Tor
that number at the present time"
During the past year the report states there has
only been lS5 men for patrol duty instead OF 2l5
The major renewS his recommendation that the
number OF Sergeants be in creased from ~ TO % An
Increase OF five in the mum Der OF mounted men is
asked for, and Major Dye thinks that II would add
TO the efficiency or the force TO increase the night
inspectors pay TO 1850 per year and have the leu
| tenants aspire to the place.
"Besides the increase recommended above" adds
tae report there should be temporary increase
OF about 300 additional policemen for saw fifteen
days, to include the 22d OF February and March
4th, iss5H
Major Dye suggests that 1t would he more eco
nomlcal and satisfactory to put up building for
the station In the seventh precinct as the present
building is unhealthy and out OF repair
The report renews the recommendation that
some provision be made in regard To disabled POI
licemen. The policemen'S fund now yields only
$50 year, although last year some additions We're
made TO IT, and the revenue yielded was more than
cl,OO0 This, however is not sufficient 10 meet the
demands made upon II, and Major Dye expresses
the hope that the fund may be so increased as 10
meet all the demands OF the service.
The report revertS TO the suffering OF the moor
In the District during the past winter and the gen
erous relief afforded by the action OF citizens
Major Dye expresses the hope that the efforts now
being made TO organize the SeXeral societies Ia the
work OF charity Will be accomplished.
Inc report referred to the existing facilities for
servants to pfer, and states that the practice OF
pawn-byokers and secondhand dealers in clothing
standing In with the thieves and OF middle men
and detectives in bargaining for the return or
stolen property ought 10 be CONDEMNED by public
opinion and laws should exist severely Furnishing
offenders in such eases
The report attributes most OF the murders and
assaults committed due directly indirectly TO
the traffic in intoxicating liquors. San improve
nsnt, not remedy, for this state OF affairs is in
the hands OF the good people OF the District who
prefer evolution to revolution
Mo d. lan
lice Dill introduced In the last Congress with the
insertion 'of more equitable and stringent pro-
vision than we now have for the sale OF liquor by
the wholesale and retail and few other amend
ments would remedy some OF the graver evils we
have to contend with"
The experience OF the department, the report
states in dealing with wholesale and retail LIQUOR
dealers, suggests that they be put upon the same
fo0tlng as TO licenses, &C. and that the law should
prohibit the sale OF inteXicantS to persons under
the influence OF liquor and to habitual drunk ards
He further suggests that some provision be made
TO prevent drug stores from selling LIQUOR In sofa
water ana TO prohibit the sale Of any less quaI-
tty than pint, except In prescription Of ply
stefan.