Evening star., 1897-07-31
P 0 L ICE SH A X E. U P
Mr.. Wight Making an Investigation of
Carr Case.
Lieut.. Boyle's Connection With the
Trnvesty-Dcsfre to he
Entirely Fafr.

The investigation OF the police depart
ment regarding the escape of Carr, the
ravisher of little Rosa Robinson, continues.
Commissioner Wight pursuing the inquiry
with the determination of bringing the neg
ligent officers to Justice This morning
Lieutenant Boyle, the lieutenant on duty
the night the case was reported to head
quarters. was before the Commissioner IL
tell what he knew of the matter.
1t appears Lieutenant Boyle is blameless
of any charge of negligence. In fact, he
was the first to notice the lax methods en-
ployed in the detective office in attending
to cases of this kind. The message re-
ceived by him that night was not dated,
and he Immediately inquired why this was
not done.
The reply was that it was not CUSTOMARY.
He thereupon dated it, and in accordance
with the methods employed at his station
house, lad the case telephoned to the sew
eral precincts, and then placed the mes
sage. as was customary, on a hook in :he
detective office. The next morning when
this hook was attended to the message
concerning Carr was not taken off. The
detectives, therefore had no knowledge of
the case until later in the day, when the
fugitive had been given several hours
start and was no doubt far away.
Commissioner Wight stated TO a reporte r
of The Star this morning that he propose al
to move carefully in this matter. He did
not wish to punish those who were blame
less. but was anxious TO mete out strict
justice to those who by their gross inatten-
ton and negligence deserved the highest
punishment
Tnere is no doubt that a reorga nization
or the police force is coming. 1t will start
In the second precinct and the detective
ONCE, and then branch out until the whole
force feels the effect of a shake-up. On all
sides come words of commendation for the
prompt action of Commissioner Wight in
investigating this Carr case. A well-known
citizen, in discussing the situation with a
reporter of The Star today, said:
Commissioner Wight is entitled TO the
hlghest praise for the way he is handling
the police force. 1 noticed in The Star last
evening a statement of his investigations
of the second precinct and those who were
negligent in reporting that outrage a few
days ago. l sincerely hope the investiga-
ton will be thorough, and those who are to
blame for the outrageous neglect be brought
to Justice The police force needs reor-
ganization. For years the citizens have
been cogniZant of its weakness, and the
escape of notorious criminals from their
very midst every little while bears evidence
of a laXity in administration that is ap-
palling.
There is the detective office. numbered
up with old Elen. This should receive
prompt attention. 1t Is, in my opinion,
the most important Office under the Com
missioners, and should be manned by the
very best officers obtainable. / don't mean
to insinuate anything as to their honesty.
Neither do wish to be understood as crit
icIsfng their enterprise. They do the best
they can. and if their efficiency is not first
class 1t is not their fault. There are some
good men among the detectives. These
should be kept.
Cast your eye over the different pre-
cincts and see the dead wood that is being
carried. Your statement in last evenings
Star of the recommendation of The police
surgeons that fifty men be retired is suf-
hcient to convince The most sanguine that
as long as these men are carried in active
service the force will be considered DOOR
Retire these men who have outlived their
usefulness. Man the different precincts
that need it with young, energetic men;
reorganize the detective Office bring about
change In the old fogy methods of ad-
ministration, and then, and not until then
will Washington have a police force that
will be commendabie"