Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06

department. To this extent Inc force is
weakened and 1t - ali the more credi.sbie
to the department that it has been able to
acc omplish such good results under such
adverse circumstances
Increased Force NECESSARY.
The weakness of tie foree, 50 far as the
numbers are concerned. is perhaps as
prominently seen in the. msster of what are
called "foot-pads'' as in anything else.
Where crime Is expected ana provisions are
made for patrolling those sections, serious
offernses have been kept well in hand, but in
the resident portion Of the city, during the
day, where the officers are so few and SO
far apart. these bold thieves. many of
whom present well-dressed appearance,
and who are usually young. lads from six
teen to eighteen years of age, disturb the
peace of the entire neighborfood by boldly
snatching a lady's purse and running off
with It. -
Another evidence Of the necessity for an
increase Of the force may be noticed in the
fact that many Of our citizens, not feeling
satisfied with the protection of their homes
afforded by the present force. pay monthly
for the services of additional watchmen
who nightly patrol the streets and guard
their property. The humber of these addi-
tiohal privates so employed is about one
hundred.
Total Number Available.
The total number of privates for street
ffty-seven men, detailed for, special d,i-
ties. part of whom are assigned to the
Executive Mansion, which should have a
force Of its own: a part TO the Police
Court. for which baihffs shotiid be provid-
ed; part to the wonkhouse, where watch
men should be employed, and the balance
to other similar duties, none sof which are
proper drains upon the police department
This leaves 1923 men available, from which
a still larger drain must be made for sick
ness and absence on account of leave, this
number to be divided between day. and
available to guard the entire District at
night, covering territory Of I2 square
miles. is 1876 men, but which will hardly
average more than 149 men. This is out of
all proportion to the requirements and to
the numbers allowed fpI other cities
New York, with a population of 1,513, SOL
has 5,051 policemen to patrol IL square
milec; Philadelphia, with population of
square miles; Chicago populate ion 1 ,O09, 7I2
area 1877 square miles; has 5, 400 policemen;
Brooklyn. population So, III. area G5 square
miles. has 1895 men; st. Louis, population
ton. population 44G507, urea a square
miles, has 1904; Baltimore population
434 Isl, area Is square miles, has S17: San
Francisco, population 2Ds.997, area Al
square miles, has ISL; Buffalo; population
255, 664. area AZ square miles, has $50; Dis
trict of Columbia. population 80 600. area
72 square miles, viii have in 1898 $40 po-
licemen.
The Retired List.
Owing to the fact that until very re-
Gently there was 10 provision made for
retiring those who have grown old in
the service or VINO may be incapacitated
through injury received while in the line
of duty. an unusually large number of the
members Of the force we're not qualified
fer active work. Recent, provision. how
ever, by Congress for supplying silcn def
cit as may arise in the pen&3san-pay.FolSf from
the funds Of the Policq Court, has enabled
the department to dof am act of simple
justice TO some OF the men and at the
same time to reduce the number of inca
pacitated men and supply their places
with younger and able bodied officers. But
even with this additional number the force
is still hampered with those who should
be retired, and attention is invited to the
recommendation of the major and super
intendent, which is heartily Endorsed by
the Commissioners. that, in order to pro-
vide for suitable pensions, so much as
may he necessary may be taken from the
funds of the District OF Columbia. If the
police force cannot he as large as it should
be, we certainly ought not be restricted in
making 1t as efficient 1t might be- to
the full extent Of the number Of men al
lowed.
Much could be added to the effective
ness Of the department by retiring with
reduced pay good many of these now
places new men OF younger age and full
physical force. In addition. however, to
this Change request Is made for an in
crease of fifty men. II this allowance is
made, which the Commissioners earnestly
hope may be tie case, and every man OH
the force be an able-bcdied man, and every,
man now detailed for other duties be as
signed to street duty. the force would not
ly patrol the seventy-two square miles of
territory for which we are responsible.
Deserving of Reward. ai...-t.
1t ought not to be charged against the
force that because it has been SO efficient
with limited numbers 1t need. not be in
creased. 1t should rather, beereWarded for
the extraordinary exertions it has made,
working more hours; than is proper or just,
VITA the increase asked for, SO That not
only the city will be benefited but the
men themselves given that proportion of
work and rest which best fits them for ac-
tive and efficient service.
In addition TO the regular work Of the
police department in patrolling the streets.
guarding the property of the citizens and
protecting them. apprehending criminals,
&c, attention is invited to the interest
ing and valuable reports of important
work done by officers of this, department
in connection with the sanitary office.
where Migrants, luratics and those in dis
tress are provided for; the hack insuec-
tor, VINO looks after and keeps in order
ca Pa'iiA tSihSltS, ISStFdiHS the uI1VtfS
from imposing upon strangers and 'charg-
Ing. exorbitant fares; the officer detailed
to assist the Humane Society in the care
of children who are taken from homes of
vice and who would be left destitute when
their parents are Imprisoned II it, were
not for his good :ervices, and the harbor-
master and the valuable work done along
the river front in patr6lling our harbor.
enforcing the law and protecting the prop
crty in that neighborhood i. go -
Condition OF Station Houses.
The station houses; nine in number, are
most Of them in condition! which. Is any,
thing but creditable, and far from being
either sanitaryror 5comfortabie:: This is
especially true of the Older houses. Most
Of them are too small. are not properly
lighted or heated, have not sufficient sleep.
Ing accommodations for the men. and all of
them are equipped with old-fashioned brick
cells instead. OF modern steel cells. The
small amount of money appropriated for
repairs to. these station houses is always
found to be entirely Inadequate to put them
IN proper condition, Money iseasked for
an additional story TO each Of two of the
station houses and alsoaa small amount to
make repairs which, are absolutely neees-
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