The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-09-09
OUR POLICE FORCE.
what Major Dye Says in His Annual
RonOrf.

4"otlOpolitun IOllCej mas peen COiupioIeui
and contains many important recommends
tions The tables of the report, the sub
stance Of which have been published, arc
not yet given to the press.
The report states that there has been
marked improvement in the condition OF
the force ia its capabilities and in actual
work done.
Under the law the District was, at the
close of tho past fiscal year, entitled to and
had regular force of one major one captain,
ten lieutepants, twenty sergeants, one hum
dred and thirty Eve privates of class two
and eighty privates of class one.
Besides the regular force there was 1872
persons holding commissions as private po-
licemeD or watchmen.
Tho Major repeats substantially his re-
marks of last year, recommending an in
crease Of the force or an increase of its
effectiveness by mechanical agencies. The
necessity for IL Is obvious to any one who
knows that we have but one policeman to
each square mile Of territory.
The increase of tho personnel OF the
force first demands attention. No me-
chanical continuance can be devised that
will enable us to entirely do away with
men. The police telephone and signal tele-
graph system is only an aid to the force,
though an invaluable one. For a given state
OF facts certain relation should subsst be-
tween the number Of policemen and the OK
tent of telephone and signal systems to ac-
complish the most effective work at least
expense. We must have enough men to
look after criminals, to prevent violations
of District ordinances, including those re-
lating to health, licenses, buildings, etc. In
these last cases the patrol wagon, telephone
and signals can seldom give assistance.
The Chicago policeman has an average
beat one eighth the size Of u Washington
policemans beat.
Between New York and Washington the
contrast Is groter.
The policemen OF Chicago average ono to
every 1850 inhabitants, New York one to
$50 and Washington one to 1000. In the
portions Of the city where crime is most
frequent the signal boxes are most needed
A report by Lieutenant Austin Is incor-
porated in tho report, in which he states
that the Gainowell alarm boxes have
proved of great utility and are COM
plete success, afiording communication with
the officers every hour on their beats and in
connection with the patrol wagons, serv-
ing many purposes and doing excellent
service.
The system has been adopted during the
past year at st. Louis, Columbus and many
other places.
The adoption of tho system and its OK
tension TO the Seventh street is recon-
mended.
In order to keep crime within reasonable
bounds in city rapidly increasing in
wealth and population, provision for twenty
additional men Is urged, and the necessity
for further increase of fifty men recon-
mended whenever the revenues of the Dis
trict permit of it. Instead of having 215
men. for patrol duty duty as appears on
casual inquiry, there was really but about
1S5.
An increase in tho number of sergeants
from 90 to 81 is recommended tho expense
not exceeding $500 per year, and the disci-
pline of the force demanding that sergeants
instead ofprivates should perform the duty.
An increase of five in the number OF
mounted me is urged. The salary of night
inspector should be increased to $500.
Beside the increase named there should
be temporary increase of about 300 addi-
| tional policemen for fifteen days. to include
February 22d and March 18th, the dedica-
| tion of the Washington Monument and the
| Inauguration OF the next President
A new Seventh Precinct station house Is
asked for, and the unsuitahility of the
| present structure described.
| The recommendations regarding disabled
| policemen are renewed. Humanity, JUS
tice and good policy demand that some
| thing be done for the relief of mer disabled
| in the service.
| The policemen's fund has reached al
amount bearing over $500 yearly interest
and was increased by $500 during last
year. This fund can meet but small por
| tion of the demands upon 1t, but may form
the nucleus of fund meeting all demands
of the service.
The reports of relief work among the
poor last winter are embraced. The i'm.
proved organization of the charities of the
city will decrease the necessity for such
| work.
The facility with which servants rot
their employees and thieves dispose of theii
plumber, are referred to as the principa
abuses and obstacles to an enforcement o
the law. The thieves find ready means o
disposing of their plumber through pawn
brokers', second hand dealers, and bargains
for its return through middle men, detec
tives, etc.
The increase of arrests and convictions i:
not construed to show an increase of crime
and disorder so much as an increase in the
vigilance and efficiency Of the force.
The remedial measure to keep nearly al
classes Of ofienses to minimum will b
found in new legislation on the liquo
traffic, some amendments of the vagranc.
laws and an increased appropriation for tn
transportation Of paupers.
The majority of the murders and assault
were traceable to the lawful or uaawfu
liquor traffic.
AN Improvement in, If not remed.
for, this state of affairs, is in tho hands o
the good people of the District, who prefe
evolution to revolution" More general il
Elimination of the alleys is urged. Tn
practice of reporting the fact when hous
| is left temporarily uuoccupied does mucI
TO prevent crime. OF the many houses S
reported last year not one was robbed
Pending the preparation of new Dis
trict code some important changes in exist
ing laws should be made.
The passage of tho Police bill of the las
session, with some amendments and NOR,
stringent provisions about the liquor trat
fic would remedy the greater evils.
The Commissioners authority over polio
matters should be increased AMI generalize,
to meet all all emergencies as they occur
If such authority is not granted Legislation
| should be adopted preventing children beg
| ging in the streets and children from boar
ing moving cars to prevent the sale ant
use Of firecrackers to prevent swinging
signs &C.. to suppress unauthorized guides
Wholesale and retail liquor dealers SHOULD
be placed upon the same footing cOncernin
license. The sale of liquor to habitua
drunkards and intoxicated persons Shout,
be prohibited. Druggists should be pre-
vented from selling liquor with soda an
mineral waters as a beverage or in quaint
ties less than q pint, except on prescription
The dog law does not operate satistaC
torily, aud it is suggested that that the II
| Cense tax required be extended to dog