The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-29
Mr.. WIGHT Rejects
THE JENKINS BILL
Eight-HOur Service for Police
Not Advisable.
A Questionable Petition to Congress
Circulated.
bisjor Sylvester Explains Why 1t Is
Impossible at This Time to In
nugpratc a New system.

The Jenkins hill, No. 1851, which was
introduced in the House of Representatives
last week and provides that the local po-
lice force shall be included in the eight
hour law. was yesterday rejected by the
District Commissioners.
The bill provides that no policeman, Of
hcer. station keeper, ambulance driver, or
patrol driver attached to the Metropolitan
police force snail be required to render
more than eight hours OF service during
each twenty-four hours. When he has
been on duty for eight consecutive hours
no policeman will, according TO the pro-
visions of the bill, be required to render
any further service, either as reserve or
otherwise, during the same day; and when
compelled in the event of an emergency
10 serve more than the allotted eight
hours the bill provides that policemen
shall receive such compensation as they
would be entitled to if the extra time were
reckoned as n part of the eight consecu-
tive hours. The bill concludes with a pro-
vision that nothing in the measure shall
be construed so as 10 prevent the calling
out Of the police force i'll case of riot. con-
Migration, during inaugural ceremonies,
and on other extraordinary occasions.
When the bill was referred to the Dis
trict Commissioners for examination and
report IL was Immediately submitted to
Commissioner Wight, who is directly in
charge of the local police and fire depart
ments. After a consultation with Major
Richard Sylvester, chief of police, COM
missioner Wight made the following rec
concentrations TO his associates yesterday:
Il recommend that this bill be adversely
reported upon by the Commissioners. for
the reason that the present size OF the
force is entirely inadequate TO allow the
eight-hour service in all the precincts.
The bill would not, perhaps, be ohjec
tionable if the force were sufficiently large
TO admit of such an arrangement, but 1t
would probably require double the present
number of the force to properly patrol the
streets and the county with only One-third
of them at work each eight hours. 1t Will
be readily seen therefore, that it would be a
most unTise measure TO adopt at this time
and the Commissioners earnestly request
that the bill be not passed"
\ bill similar 10 the Jenkins measure
was yesterday introduced in the Senate by
Senator Baker, and the Commissioners viii
take like action upon it when it is referred
10 them for examination
Although the recommendations of Com
missioner Wight have not vet been ap-
proved by his associates, there is little
doubt that they will meet with the unani-
nous appreciation of the board.
\ surprising fact was yesterday IN
sarthed by 4 reporter for The Times in
connection with the Baker and jenkins
measures. 1t is known that man named
Nat w Fitzgerald recently sent circulars
and petitions TO members of the police
force urging them TO assist in securing
the passage of the jenkins measure. The
Commissioners and the police authorities
are aware of the existence of these circu-
lars. and the general belief is that they
are in some manner connected with the
introduction of the eight-hour bills.
The circular received by the police is
headed Petition TO Congress- and reads
rs follows:
To the Congress OF the United States:
We, the undersigned citizens of the Dis
trict of Columbia, being in full sympathy
with and applauding the noble sentiments
OF President Mckinley in his annual mes
sage recommending the eight-hour system
of labor as applied 10 the wage-earner,
and believing as We do in the justice OF
the same, We make this cur petition to
your honorable body 10 enact such meas
ure as will place the police of the District
under the eight-hour system, thereby plac-
ing them on an equality. as to the hours
of labor and service, with all Government
employees in the District, and your petit
TONERS viii every pray that justice may be
done"
1t is alleged that all policemen signing
contracts with Fitzgerald bind themselves
10 pay Fitzgerald so in case the passage
OF the Jenkins act is secured.
When seen by reporter for The Times
last evening Major Sylvester. who has
done much 10 perfect the organization of
the police department of the city, ana
who has always manifested deep interest
In his men, expressed himself as being