Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-23
THE DISTRICT POLICE FORCE.
Important Recommendations Of Major
Moore in His Annual Report.

Important hecOmmen0at10ns OF Major
Moore in His Annual Report.
Az IxcnxAsKD FORCE NECESSARY AND WHY
PROTECTION OF THE sUBURBs-THE SIGNAL AND
TELEPHONE sERvIcE-MAarsrRArK's COURTS
AN AsYLux FOB rSEBIuArEs RECOMMENDED.
Mai. VIM. G. Moore, superintendent OF
police, has submitted to the District Commits
sioners his annual report Of the operations of
the police department for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1885, The estimates, which pre-
cede the report were printed in TIE SrAR
several days ago. They amount to EST. SIS. an
increase Of $780, 935 over the amount appro-
priated last year. The estimates provide
for moderate increase Of salaries, as follows:
OF the captain, from 81 500 10 o., 100; Of
the chief clerk, from s1,S00 to S2,10o;
of the surgeons, from $3.50 to S600; Of
the nine heutenants, from $3.50 to
81 500; of the sergeants. from 81, 140 to 81 200
of the station keepers. who in the estimates are
designated station clerks, from $40 to $500; Of
the ambulance driver, from $3.50 to $500; OF
the assistant ambulance drivers from $500 to
$3.50; OF the van driver and the patrol drivers,
from $3.50 to $3.50. Numerous reasons are given
as to Why these increases Of salaries should be
made.
AN INCREASE OF FORCE NECESSARY
At the close of the fiscal year the entire force
was composed of one major and superintendent,
one captain, nine ieutenants, two lieutenants
and inspectors, twenty-five sergeants and $50
privates. Attention is directed to the necessity
for an increase in the number Of sergeants.
Five more are urgently needed, one
Of whom should be mounted Fifty-three
privates, including those detailed as detectives,
are ON special duty daily. During the
year just closed" continues the report 'the
greatest average number of patrolmen on duty
during any tour was ITO. This year it is esti-
mated that the average will not exceed 129-an
increse OF only 10, notwithstanding the addi-
ton to the force of Sc privates. In order that
this number may be augmented to at least $50
men during any tour a further addition of 5
sergeants and 81 privates is respectfully urged.
Even then this department will not in num-
bers compare favorably with the police estab-
lishments of other large cities, only one or two
OF which have larger area to patrol than that
embraced within the limits Of the seat of
government. 1t must be considered that there
is not day when men are not absent from
some legitimate cause and that the beats they
leave vacant must be cared for by the men on
adjoining BEATS whose area is thus oftentimes
doubled. A small reserve in each precinct to
MI the places OF men absent from sickness or
other causes is not only desirable but neces-
sary.
NEED OF MORE MOUNTED MEN FOB SUBURBAN
DUTY.
During the past year considerable attention
was given to the grounds south Of the execu-
tive mansion and to those which surround the
Washington monument, fast driving and dis
orderly assemblages having provoked numer-
GUS complaints. Besides. the many acres of
reclaimed land along the river front have be-
come resort for rough and idle characters
who engage in gambling and broiis. In the
suburban portion of the District new villages
are being rapidly built and street-car lines ex-
tended. The demandJ upon the police are
yearly becoming more urgent and to meet
those from the outlying districts as well as
others from certain portions of the city it is es-
sential that Of the fifty-nine additional mounted
men herein asked for at least thirteen should
be mounted and distributed as follows: One for
service in the grounds south of the executive
mansion and contiguous thereto; one for duty
In the extreme northeastern section of the city
OF Washingt ton, where, on account Of the bad
condition OF the unimproved streets during in
clement weather a footman cannot render eff
hcient service; four to be assigned to the fifth
precinct, where four mounted men are now en-
ployed; two to be sent to the seventh or George
town precinct to reinforce the four already there
and five Zone of whom should be a sergeant) to
the eighth precinct, whose extensive county
jurisdiction is at present patrolled by only
eight men. 1t should be borne in mind that
on occasions of large public displays, yearly be-
coming more frequent mounted men are indis-
pensable, and that at public receptions at the
executive mansion they cooperate with a large
detail OF footmen to regulate vehicles and pre-
vent accidents.
THE ARMY AND NAVY RESTRICTION SHOULD GO.
Repeated recommendations have been made
for the repeal Of the law which prohibits the
appointment, as policemen, of persons who
have not served in and received an honorable
discharge from the army or navy of the United
States. 1t cannot benefit the men in recop-
milton OF whose patriotic services. rendered
nearly quarter of q century ago, it was placed
upon the statute books, for they are too
advanced in years for the exacting duties
incident to police life. Appointments are,
as consequence, limited to men who have en-
listed and served in time of peace and who
possess no familiarity with the peculiar and
complex laws which prevail in this District.
Ihis prejudicial restriction should be removed
in order that the very best material obtainable
may be secured for police purposes at the ma
tional capital. The number Of applicants ex-
amined by the board Of surgeons during the
year was 2o4 of whom 1859 were found phys
lca1ly qualified, a considerable portion of
fcient"
cRAMPEp SLEEPING QUARTERS.
After calling attention to the benefits derived
from the establishment of a police precinct
(the ninth) in Northeast Washington the major
makes emphatic reference to the overcrowded
condlflon OF sleeping quarters for officers in
the various stations, especially in the fourth
and sixth precincts. He recommends the add
ing OF story to each Of those two buildings
NEW STATION HOUSE FOR GEORGETOWN RECON-
AENDED.
'In this connection" says he, attention is
invited to the need of a new station house in
the seventh Cor Georgetown) precinct. The
present building was erected over twenty years
ago and is not eligibly situated for effective
police work or as to sanitary conditions. Each
year it becomes more dilapidated its southern
wall having for foundation q dry
wall some 20 feet in height resting
on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. The efiu-
via from the canal are harmful to health and
cause much sickness among both men and
prisoners. 1t is therefore desirable that an
other site should be purchased in a more CEN
trail portion OF the city and building better
adapted for police purposes than that now in
use, and also q stable, should be erected
thereon 1t is estimated that the cost of the
ground aud improvements will be S27, 500"
EXTENSION OF THE SIGNAL AND TELEPHONE
SYSTEM.
In the District appropriation bill for the
year ending June 80, 1890, an appropriation of
"a, 500 was made for police signal and tele-
phone system in the fifth, seventh or eighth
precinct Congress having prohibited the
erection Of any additional wires on or over suy
OF the streets or avenues Of the city and no
provision having been made for SUBJ
conduits, the selection was limited to