The morning call., 1891-01-21

1906 men on her police, or one to every $50
of the population. The city also has five
finely equipped police boats. Chicago, with
a population of 1,l00,000 has a force of
1850 men, and the most complete patrol
wagon and ambulance system in the world.
Philadelphia has a population of about
100000 and a force of 1850 men. Boston,
with population of less than 450, 900, has a
force OF 800 regulars and reserve force OF
100 probationerS. in addition to two of the
finest police boats afioat. With podulation
Of 10000, Baltimore has force Of 77S men.
THE CITY HAS oUTGRowN ITSELF.
The police of San Francisco patrol an
area embracing forty-one and three-quarters
square miles, willie the police of New York
cover only forty-0ne and half square miles.
More than this, the principal Eastern cities
do not have such steep hills as here. The
difficulty is that not only has the population
Of this city Outgrown tho Numerical capacity
Of the police force, but the rapid extension
OF the eabie-roads has caused the population
to be scattered over much larger area.
Districts OF great extent are covered by a
small force and are practically without pro
lection, the beats of the patrolmen taking
them so lar apart that they are at times out
OF hearing OF each others whistles when a
call ior assistance is found necessary.
nave seen some erroneous statements
published" continued the Chief, lin refer
ence TO the Police Pension Fund. When
the new pension law went into effect we
turned over to the city some $4,000, which
the SuperviSoral solid nine caused To he
come a part of the General Flu nd. II this
money had been put where it properly be-
longed. 1t would have paid all pensions for
twenty years to come. Treasurer Refs was
In favor of keeping the money separate and
Tor the purposes for which 1t was Intended,
but the supervisors were short of funds and
caused it TO be paid out for general purposes
The Pension Fund is self-sustaining and the
expense to the city is not over $1,000 year.
New York pays out over S250,000 year in
police pensions, Boston about $4,000, and
In Tact all the Eastern cities pay similar
amounts in proportion 10 the number of men
on their police force. In Australia many
members OF the force are retired on full
pay"
NO DISSENTING VOICE HEARD.
Some OF the Oldest officers on the force
were also interrogated in reference to the
necessity OIL increasing the department and
not dissenting voice was raised against the
bill. They agreed that considering the
smallness of the department and the disa6
Vantages under Which the police labor they
have made as good a record here as in any
other city in the United States. There are
TOO many long beats that require officers to
patrol thirty or more blocks. For instance
one man has beat ON California street
from Kearny to Fillmore. while some of the
heats OH parallel streets are equally long.
ihere are only three officers on duty in the
large district embraced by South San Fran
cisco and the Potrero. West of Steiner
street there Is little or no protection, and q
large section recently built up In the vicinity
ali. -
More police and shorter beats are an alb
soiute necessity, the veterans say. They
are 1urtlier OF the opinion that twenty-five
mounted police are required for service In
the suburbs 80 far only thirty five patrol
boxes have been put in and it is claimed that
| at least 800 are required to make the depart.
ment thoroughly efficient. More stations
and better equipments for them are also
among the many wants of the Police
Department.