Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-06
| N c r E A S ED FORCE
Major Moore's Argument for Better Po'
lice Facilities.

Badly Handicapped by Sickness
Where More Men Could BE Dis
tributed AdvaninSeOusly.
Major Moore has received from the printer
copiec of his annual report, summary OF
which was printed in The Star. which are
being distributed to the members OF the de-
partment, as well as to the citizens. The
rerort, which was compiled by Chief Clerk
Sylvester, contains an interesting state
ment concerning the workings of the de
partment as well as it's needs, and strong
plea is made for an increase in the num-
Der of officers for the next fiscal year. In
the report Major Moore says that the
force is not only insufficient, but Is also
overworked. The report says:
In the work of the police department
more particularly that of the pohce force
during the fiscal year just cioseu' ho
apology is necessary for any apparent
shortcomings, but a broader nelo "oulu
have been covered and more general ell
lective surveillance observed hau IL MOI
been for reduction in the number OF mel.
Or active street duty, oceasioie oo,s,
numerous detaus, overwork ana coiS.-
uuent disability list. While the statistics'
When compared with those or the preceu'
ing year, snow that but two more iiei'
we're ass.gued to other than street uuts'
the fact should be borne in nina that theis
was a larger population IN the D-Slricl,
chat the nard tunes induced lhe eoiii'
son of more crimes of a higher grade, anu
the severe winter and long hours VI d.
teLdance at the Police Court ueplsleu INC
ranks py sickness. Where there Is an III
crease of crime there should be extra Fisii-
ance but with an lnSuflclent humper "a
h n
chances of preserving life and property are
not what they should De.
Severely Handicapped.
During the past year the number of days
lost by members of the force on account
of Sickness was materially increased over
previous years, as is manifested by the
following tabulation:
Days.
Absent with leave. ....'... al"
Absent without leave..................... 81
Absent with sick leave. o''i
Absent, suspended. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
lotal. !. -, :. :. ,taI ogajnsf
Another factor which has operated asdihsl
the efficiency of he force Is the cohtlnudhce
in service of men permanently mcapaci-
tated to perform police duty. But rather
than discharge these men, who nave incur
red disabilities after long years OF faithfui
work with 10 means to provide for the sus-
tenance of themselves and families, II mas
been the policy TO retain them, In the nope
that at an early day such steps may be
taken as will enable the Commissioners 10
retire them, as authorized by the act of
Congress. approved February %. 1888.
1T NAV be urged than if mebers Of the
force are to be assigned to other duty than
that of preventing and suprressing crime,
by the failure of Congress to make provision
for the employment of other persons to do
such work, an adequate number OF men
should be given the department to supply
ioh
argued that it is against good policy to
make such details, but law and order at
the bathing beach. the protection of funds
and property at municipal headquarters,
the proper transaction OF business In the
office of the superintendent. the enforce
ment of the humane law, the guarding OF
the poundmaster in his rounds the opera
tons of the patrol steamer, the mainte-
nance of order at the Police Court. ana
the safety of the Executive Mansion and
the Capitol, are all matters which have de-
manded these assignments, in spite OF any
disposition to keep these employees in their
ordinary capacities.
TT stands to reason that the bathing
beach. which is supported by Congress.
should be cared for by persons appointed
for that purpose; that the District building
should have watchmen rather than police
men, that the health department should
have its own officer, with police powers,
TO look after its interests in connection
with the poundmaster: that the Humane
for the carrying out of the law under
which it is operated that the steamer
which patrols the harbor should be grant
ed the necessary appropriation for the
employment of crew, that the Police
Court should have it's bailiffS; that the
work house should have its guards, and
that the Executive Mansion and Capitol
should have a force of skilled guardians
all. however, from funds provided dis
tinctly for such representation than to
utilize policemen and decrease thereby
the number of available privates for street
service in the District of Columbia"
The adoption of the magistrate system is
again recommended, and the report, con-
tinufng, says:
Increased Force.
These are some of the important propo-
sitions which have presented themselves
to this department, and which exhibit
weaknesses that have materially inter-
fered with a satisfactory administration of
its affairs. 1t is hoped that they will be
accepted as ample justification for an adj
dition to the force of at least 125 men, an
increase which would not be more than
enough to give the District of Columbia
proper patrol, at all hours, of its streets
and thoroughfares, both city and suburban,
and which proposes an addition of only II
more men than those on detached service,
shown by the following table to number IS:
Bathing beach. ..-...............
Capitol building. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 4
District building. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Detective ...........................1 3
Detective office, night clerk. ............... l
Executive Mansion. ......................... %
Headquarters. in charge at night......... l
Headquarters, clerks office. ............... 4
Headquarters, sanitary office. 2
Health department. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. !
Humane Society. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l
Hack inspector. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. l
Patrol steamer. Observation-Disclosures.
lOhce %
Post office. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. l
Rock Creek Park. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. l
Iotal ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. IS
1T is matter of congratula ton that the
police force, handicapped as it is in the
several respects hereinbcfore mentioned,
has proved its ability to care. for persons
and property so far it goes The sta