Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-06

tne force can reside in the section houses
ana this is very cheap mode OF living. L
visited the Remington Road Section House
Yesterday, where several hundred OF single
oncers live. Discipline there is very rlgld'
indeed, as every man not on duty, must pe
within doors at certain hour. Iney
must not show any symptoms OF
must be of the very best. Any shortcomings
or violations of rules are reported and these
reports appear in the Chronicle, little
evening paper which only circulates among
policemen.
A PRETTY SEVERE PUNISHMENT.
To be reported is heavy blow, as it means
that the offender may plod on for years and
years before that violation has been redeemed
in the eyes of the authorities. This fact
causes the officers to be extremely attentive
to duty. Those officers who reside in the
section house form themselves into messes
or parties, and contribute to common fund
Tor the purpose of buying and paying for the
cooking of food. By doing this, each man
can live on about four shillings or 81 per
week. Their meat is all that they have to
pay Tor.
The life is very cheerless one, depend
upon it, and in some respects it lacks the
enjoyable features of military life. The
meals are rough, though the food is good.
In many instances the men in the section
houses cook their own victuals, and the
cooking is done in very rough and ready
way. had meal with a friend of mine
who is located in the section house 1 have
mentioned, and while it was very substantial,
it lacked attractiveness to very great ex-
tent.
But the discipline to which I have re-
ferred is notcon6ned to the section houses
Whether an officer resides in tine section
house or not, he must, when not on duty, be
in his place of abode not later than IL
o'clock midnight, and by all means he must
not be seen in questionable company or
places by other officers. If one officer is
thus seen by another the offender must be re-
ported.
NOT A LIFE OF EASE.
1t will be seen, therefore, that the rules
and regulations OF the London police force
are very, very rigid, and the pay very, very
poor. A Remington constable gave me
his opinion on the matter yesterday. He
said: 81 have been ten years on the force
and all that time have been living in this
section house. don't find fault with any,
thing except the pension arrangement, but
most certainly 1 would not strike
on that account. There are thousands
of us who have from 10 to 20 years
service and to take part in a strike
would cause us to lose all that. We won't
Jeopardize our chances in that respect.
lake man who has been 20 years on the
force without being reported. The best
part of his life is spent and in short time
he can claim his pension. Do you think he
would join strike to get his discharge?
He would be a fool to do so. 1 have ten
years service, and don't intend to throw
1t away"
This seems to be the opinion of all officers
who have been on the force for any length
OF time; so that it would seem strike, or
at least successful one, is not very proba-
bic. Doubtless the policemen have wrongs
that ought to be righted. Their duties are
very great and important. When it is con-
sidered how many people London policemen
look after every day, it is surprising to find
that their remuneration is so small.
THE CROWDS OF LONDON.
In this connection it may be interesting
to give readers an idea of the immense
crowds that traverse London streets daily.
A friend of mine. William Gregory,
whose place of business is at 81 Strand, close
to Charing Cross, has interested himself to
the extent of having the number OF people
and vehicles that pass his store in IL hours
counted. His system of counting was
safe and reliable one, and he finds that an
average OF 10000 persons pass along the
Strand in II hours, that is, from about II to
II. He has also found that during the same
length OF time about II, 900 vehicles pass his
door.
This gives strangers to London only an
incomplete idea of the people who are
moving about the city daily. The Strand
is only one thoroughfare of scores that are
in London. The figures given, which are
corr ect, certainly show how immense must
be the crowd that the London police have to
deal with every day. 1t is, therefore, plain
to see how important their work is
ADVICE TO TOURISTS.
Before finishing this letter let me venture
word of advice to Americans visiting Lon
don. Whenever you are in doubt as to
what particular point you are at or where
you want to be, always interrogate police
man in the matter. They are easy to find,
and it is often unsafe to put questions to
the ordinary pedestrian. Always accost a
policeman and you'll find yourself talking
to a model OF urbanity. He will see that
you will understand his directions before he
lets you go, and he'll watch you as far as
he can see you.
The London police take great delight in
looking alter strangers and keeping them
from the land sharks that are continually
on the lookout for prey. The advice of
London policeman is always worth having
as lar as a strangers touring around Lon
don is concerned. JOHN D. PRINGLE.