The age-herald., 1898-03-05
TWO QUESTIONS WHICH
 CONFRONT THE CITY

One of the problems which now confronts the city council and the police commission is how to protect the city from burglars and footpads. The police force is so small that only the business portions of the city and the disreputable localities can be soantily patroled. Only fifteen men are on duty at once. This does not make so much dierence in the day time, but at night there, is standing invitation to the lawless to get in their work in the unprotected DOT tions of the city.
 On that side of town occupied by the handsomest residences and the wealthiest citizens there is absolutely no protection. This is the South Highlands. An example can be found in daring attempt at bur- glary which ocurred few nights ago. A brave little woman, whose husband Is from necessity away from the city major portion of the time, was awakened by noise in the lower story of the residence. On investigation she saw a man helping himself to everything within reach, while another stood in the yard on watch. She was frightened, and she knew something must be done. There was revolver in the house and, securing this, she began firing out of an upper window. The intruders were frightened away and she telephoned for police. It was nearly an hour before an officer came, and, of course, the mid night providers had reached a safe distance As @ result, every lady in the neighbor- hood is afraid to stay at home while her husband is absent It is argued that the homes of the citizens deserve equal protec- tion with the business houses. One officer d,,tx ;,, quell the reign of the burglar.
 Some time ago the question of more po- lice protection was agitated and commit tees from the city council and police com- mission were appointed to confer and adopt sTfffe plap,. This conference resulted in nothing. The city solons deattsfrett dea fret hey ESsre unable to appropriate more funds to the police department, the conferees from the commission gave under, and in the mean. time the reign of the burglar continues It is evident that something must be done Public feeling demands 1t. As an instance of the sentiment on this question a citizen said yesterday:
 ''I know the city is in debt, but I say let the debt go to the devil for awhile and protect our wives, children and prop erty."
 | Another problem which confronts the city fathers is the disposition of the off, lenders convicted in police court after March B. Heretofore the convicts have been leased to the Sloss Iron and Steel company, but this company has given mo- tice that it did not desire to renew the | contract which expires on the date named | above This contract has been a very profitable one to the city, but not to the Sloss company, judging from their letter declining to continue the present arrange ment. The assistant general manager re- marks that he would not have the serv- ices of the average city prisoner as a gift.
 Something must be done to dispose of the convicts, for the city jail will not accommodate them. Mayor Evans got a report from the warden yesterday which showed there were ifty-five prisoners, dis posed of as follows: Twenty-eight work ing on the street; two as market clean ] CTS; prison attendants and cooks four: | in the stable and pound department three; number sick five, and women six, while 1 three were held for committing crimes in other places.
 The question has been. referred to the l police and sanitation committee. It is not likely that any other mining company will | enter a contract after the experience of the Sloss company. The city jail will not accommodate them, and just what can be done is a perpexing problem.
 SIDNEY YOUNG.