Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-21
THE POLICE FORCE
CONTINUED from First Page.)

ciety. 1: patrol boat. 4: Police Court, 8;
Rock Creek Park, 1; workhouse. 5; to-
tai. 81
Those absent from duty during the year.
FROM various causes, averaged fOrty-eight
per day.
Mcdel of the World.
With the third most extensive police ju-
risd.ction in the states. wherein Is located
the capital of the greatest nation or earth,
with It's government buildings and work.
shops. a city of beautiful homes and nu-
mercus suburban villages, with railroad
and steamboat interests to guard. the resi-
denceS of diplomats and statesmen to be
kept secure. and q social condition peculi-
arly it's own. the District department, in
stead o: being Handicapped for want of
mec and means should be afforded every
thing to make ii the model system IF the
world. and to enable it to guarantee secur-
fly to life and property on all occasions
and at all times
With an extensive general area to be
patrclled, ii follows that the subdivisions
of the territory allotted to each CT 166 men
must be large: and where the inhabitants
of localit:- are OF the vicious class it be-
comes necessary to 'double-up"-that Is. to
assign two men where ordinarily one would
do the service. This reduces the general
service one private and one beat for every
private SO doubled.
Increase of Fifty.
While an increase of 100 privates to the
force would be just and fair to more prop
erly equip the District, to be consistent
with past annual allowances the number
asked for is fifty, which will be at the
most an increase of about fifteen privates
for service during six hours of the day.
Ten of those asked for are of class and
forty of class 2.
Several years ago Congress provided for
the classes by such a rule as enabled the
promotion of a private of class 1 after a
faithful service of two years probation.
At this time. no matter how energetic, hon.
est and intelligent a private may be in the
performance of his duties. even If he be a
superior in every way to his colleague In
class .. he must bide his time for period
of six or seven years before being awarded
the inducement held out for honorable
work An increase of the force as estima-
ted for viii rectify in a measure the exist
ing congested condition of class / and in
vgorate the younger members of the force.
as was the original intention of the class
division
Another Lnborer Required.
There are now employed in the depart
ment nine laborers janitors. These
employees have a great deal of work to do
in order to keep a station house in COM
fcrtable and sanitary condition. AS no
provision is made whereby the la5orers
may be absent for day through sickness
or leave an additional or extra laborer is
needed to relieve the service in such tmer-
gencieS.
Repairs for stations.
1t cannot be gainsaid that neglect of
on government or any ether
property conduces to dilapidation, if not
Some of the buildings have
gene for years without being repaired, and
reports have been had from capable au-
thority, which are submitted and made a
part of this report. wherein the gross in
justice suffered by prolonged delays is
made manifest. The deplorable condition
of some of the stations is so manifest as
to make them not only almost unfit for
temporary habitation of prisoners, but fan
mere so for members of the force, who
must occupy them greater part of tie
time. The sum asked for the repair of
stations is the result of careful considera-
ten, and to refuse it will be greatly to
the detriment of the department in more
ways than one.
The Contingent Fund.
The contingent appropriation for the cur
rent fiscal year is the lowest awarded under
existing conditions as to the number of
men and the growing demands upon the
several branches of this department. From
this fund all expenses pertaining to the
detection of criminals are paid, rewards in
extreme emergencies are taken therefrom
and. if it is the aim and intention to MAIN
tain a bicycle squad of police machines
for its use will have to be purchased. The
use of bicycles belonging TO the men is not
only unjust, but places the government I'M
der certain restrictions and obligations to
them. which interfere with the success of
the work.
Should Congress provide for an increase
of privateS on the force to the extent that
hos I.a.. faI IL .x-;Il l.
sary TO equip the men with beds, bedding,
insignia of office. revolverS and other items,
which will add very materially to the cost
of conducting the department
That the closest scrutiny and most eco
nomic practices have prevailed in the gen.
eral expenses of the department is best
illustrated by the inferior furniture, old
style of improvements and bare floors
which prevail and inability to transport
officers in pursuit of CRIMINALS when they
escape this jurisdiction.
This condition is presented as it exists
and with record of contingent expenses for
the past year as nearly as completed.
Additional accommodate lions.
The recommendations of the department
Gs made last year are repeated in this re-
port to the improvements needed to the
third precinct stables, and the Importance
Of having proper accommodations for
horses and wagons is fully set forth.
1T is an unfortunate situation" the re-
pert declares, when an emergency vehicle
of any kind has to drive two-thirds of a
square cut of a direct route, especially In
going out of or coming into it's standing
quarters
Mention is made also of the necessity
for accommode ting the men with better
quarters, provision having been made for
the increase in ten years in but four of
the stations. The eighth precinct station
Major Moore says, requires prompt i'm
provement in the shape of an additional
story, and as much can be said for the
second precinct.
Anacostia's Needs.
Anacostia is that large settlement which
forms the eastern terminus to the bridge
over the Eastern Branch of the Potomac
and is the principal point of interest in the
District on that side of the river. All roads
lead to Anacostia. and it has become an
important rendezvo GUS for the police. AT
this time small brick structure is oc.
cupied as a sub-station. The building Is
rot fitted with any Of the modern improve.
ments. but serves only as an Office The
territory contiguous. the extensive popula.
ton. advanced railroad and building i'm.
provements, call for the best facilities TO,
transacting police business. The station