Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-13
THEY ARE THE FINEST.
That IL What Major Walk err Says Of the
Newly Uniformed Police.

The police force boomed out this morning In
the new uniforms and new equipments-black
helmets, frockcoats of a somewhat clerical cut
blue trousers of exquisite cut, white gloves, and
black rattan canes with little black heads
loaded with lead and wound with wire. "There
are no police in the country that will come up
to them in appearance" said Major Walker this
morning. 'They are the finest looking body in
the country The major takes natural pride
IN the transformation he has worked in the
personal appearance of the force. The sudden
appearance on the streets of the elegant police
men OF course occasioned a great deal of COM
ment, but did not stop business, as the citizens
OF Washington are used TO surprises and TO great
events Now and then people opened windows
and stared after Respondent patroman as
he sauntered up the street and gaily twirled his
light rattan. At cOlored cart
driver was so stunned by the appearance of a
policeman that he gaZed ut him with open
mouthed wonder, meanwhile letting the tail
board of his cart drop and splitting out the dirt
vehicle. The practical policeman pointed with
his rattan TO the cart and remarked, "LoOk at
your tai-board and don't look at me. This
broke the spell, the cart-driver drew a long
sigh and resumed his work, while the vision
OF blue, white and gilt loneliness vanished
around the corner. The police to-day wore
their old wooden batons under their coats.
the new patent leather-covered swivel batons
are not ready Tor distribution.
The major speaking OF the loaded canes, says
IL is not expected that they will be used as
weapons except in cases of last resort. police
ter that the loaded cane might prove very
dangerous thing, as a man under excitement
or during struggle might give blow OF greater
IOrce than really necessary, and crack a mans
skull when he only intended to raise lump.
the new swivel batons are very generally APP
proved by officers. They have leather wrist
strap at the end of handle attached to
swivel. The baton cannot he twisted out of an
officers hand, as it will simply turn around on
its swivel.
There is some discussion as to the use to be
made by the police OF the rattans. They are
not intended solely as ornaments. Its thought
they will be used to some extent as pointers, in
giving directions to strangers who inquire the
way. Ii Is thought also that they may be use
ful in those conflicts with street urchins which
the police sometimes have, i'll which they do
not feel Justified in laying on the baton. and are
not inclined to make arrests. The light rattan
applied skiilfuly upon the less vital portions OF
the body Will suffice 10 awaken q sense of re-
pentance i'll q lad, without doing permanent
injury.
Commissioner W heatIey, who returned to the
city to-day after few days visit to New York
and Philadelphia, partly Tor business and partly
for pleasure, referred To the police laughlngly
as '.MajOr alkers daisies" He said he had
inspected the police in Philadelphia and New
York, as they appeared on the street, but did
not think they compared with ours.