The morning times., 1896-11-07
DISTRICT IS NOT WICKED
Maj)r Moore's Explanation OF
the Numerous ArreStS.
LARGELY FOR MINOR CRIMES
Theft Is Very Prevalent but the
Police Books Are Burdened with
Arrests for Trivial Offenses-
Small Percentage of Convictions
Peculiar Conditions Which Exist,

In the report made recently by Major w.
G. Moore, superintendent of police, to the
| Commissioners, he devoted considerable
| space to crime statistics, using as tine base
| OF his comment the number OF arrests made
| by the police during the year, the convic-
| tiunS for all Offeuses having aggregated
| 14,022.
The number of convictions, however, was
| by the police during the year, the ,.,jnvic-
| arrests, and these included the persons held
| by the coroner.
The police officials admit that upon the
| face OF affairs there are more arrests in
| Washington than in many other cities OF
| equal Size, but 1t is not admitted that there
| is actually more crime here. 1t is alleged,
| in part explanation OF the figures, that the
uffenSe Of intoXiCation on the streets, While
helping to swell the total of arrests, is
| nevertheless not always sufficient to merit
the appearance OF the individuals in court,
| and the fact is shown that an aggregate OF
| nearly 5000 arrests for this cause which
had to be noted at the station-h houses; were
as matter OF fact m ade for the safety of
| the individuals, who were dismissed with
out arraignment or punishment.
ON SUSPICION.
L In addition, the officials say, many per-
SONS who are attracted to Washington in
search OF work or other worthy purpose,
fall under suspicion and are arrested or
come voluntarily and are placed in CON
iincnent for night with some charge
placed opposite their names as au excuse
for holding them. Many more persons, also.
are arrested here than elsewhere for pro
family.
Taken as a whole, the superint endent is
of the opinion that Washington ranks well
with sister cities in the matter Of crime, the
proportion Of apprehenSions FOR actual Of
fenses being about on an average with com
,,lnff,,
The registrations OF names under various
charges at the several statiunhouses dur
ing the year numbered 22, 662, decrease
of 542 from the record OF the previous year
1T may seem strange" Major Moore
observes, that with an increased force OF
police there were fewer arrests, but such
r nevertheless true"
He then goes briefly into a discussion Of
criminology. saying that those familiar
with the conduct of police affairs in this
country generally contend that there is a
constant increase of crime; that 1t keeps
pace with the growing population
While such may be tru. Of the principal
cities OF the United States, facts and
figdres support the claim of this depart
ment that in this respect the District oc-
cupieS d distinct standing OF its own.
CRIMEIN THE DISTRICT.
Its comprehensive moral status is above
the depretiations chargeable as theft, there
would be comparatively little crime to
chronicle. This offense must always exist
here, unless through some unexpected
agency Il complete change should be ef-
fected in the social conditions.
The abiding place OF large class OF
idle, iliiterate and consequently vicious
persons, it is but reasonable that the
respectable element should be preyed upon
to considerable extent. No matter how
strong the police force, stealing cannot be
prevented under such circumstances. ..
The population OF the District, accord
ing to the census OF 1896, is 27O,5l9,
therefore the cases of arrest represented
eight per cent and a fraction OF the whole.
The white population is S3,51O, and the
coiored $1,000. OF the former there were
1O,5s7 cases of arrest, or 46.9 per cent
OF the aggregated; OF the latter, IL ,975 ar
rests. or 53 per cent and a fraction"
Speaking OF the discrepancy between the
number Of arrests and convictions, Major
Moore says:
1T must be remembered there is no
law against intoxication in the District,
and that the lieutenants of police. eXer-
cIsing their discretion, released 2,75S
cases where such was the charge, and
where the persons arrested were detained
in the stations until they were in a con-
dition to find their way through the thor
oughfares without risk of robbery or in
jury or exposure to the public gaze"
The superintendent notes that there was
but little gratitude shown by the indi-
viduals thus shielded from punishment,
1.-THE Individual as he expresses it,
who, found helpless in some dark alley,
is thus taken in charge and cared for by
the police" In other words, they give
no thanks.
LOSSES BY THEFT.
Reference was made to he dimjn utjou in
the aggregate losses from theft and dis
honesty, and the increase in the number
of cases OF housebreaking by night. While
there were more burglaries. there were less
losses and far fewer cases OF all other
kinds OF crime where gain was the motive,
except in petit larceny and false pre-
lenses.
cnmnarison of fba S;.r,-ao ch,,z-, A..