The evening times., 1899-12-30

peE VI Iucu III HIS uepdTtiucut.
One Of the things which is said to make
the force as efficient as it is is the fact
that the men are not bound by political
promises. and their office is theirs for life.
il they behave themselves properly and at
tend to their duties. The present tenure
of office of the men was fixed by act of
Congress approved in August, 1861. when
the force was first organized, whereby the
policemen were assured Of their positions
SO long as they faithfully executed all the
rules and regulations made by their su-
periors.
1t has been decided since then that this
law is imperative, and that the members
OF the force were subject to appointment
and dismissal the same as other Govern
ment employees. Major Sylvester will strive
this year to have the law Of 1861 re-enacted
or obtain a new one equally as good.
While the law may be imperative. and it
may not apply to the Police Department,
ii is well known that the men do hold the
their Offices as long as they perform faith
full service, and are not removed at the
caprice OF a politician. II is the desire OF
the heads OF the department to have the
positions assured the men by an act OF Con-
gress, and, as stated, efforts will be made
in that direction this session.
The great amount of territory the police
are compelled to patrol. II is said. is watch
ed only by an average OF 1i5 men at all
times. The inability OF the police to fur
nish adequate protection TO the citizens
living in this section is obvious, and is one
OF the subjects on which Major Sylvester
will speak before the District Committees
Of the two houses of Congress.
The general public is not aware OF the
ur- .ard frequent over
work demanded OF the limited police for. =
In the District of Columbia the Superin-
tenueHt says. wa ~ corsiuei tIIdt
the individuals composing it are but hu-
man beings, who cannot do things i'm
possible, and who must have the rest and
refreshment that is afforded others,
proper idea may be had as to what the
force has to contend with. While regular
hours are designated for them TO go on
and come off duty, they are always OIL
duty. -stis, 'r
Not infrequently the man who goes out
on the street at midnight, and reports at
the station at o'clock a. m. is given
only sufficient time TO breakfast on sand
wich and a Gun OF coffee before proceed
ing 10 the Police Court. where he is ex
pected TO give clear and succinct evidence
him until afternoon, when he reports It's
disposition, gets his dinner. and patrols
the streets from O'Clock p. m. until mid
night.
..On the Both OF last June the force in
the District OF Columbia comprised 500
privates. Deduct from that number I63
detailed, on post duty, on leave. and sick.
and there remained 337 men for patrol or
street service. One-half of these, or 16s
privates were on duty from o'clock until
u o'clock p. m, and the same number
from II o'clock p. m. until 6 O'Clock a. m.
During the day, from o'clock n. m. until
l O'Clock p. m. and from that hour until
o'clock p. m, but one-fourth OF the whole
were patrolling the beats.
Thus il will be observed that in the
District of Columbia the fourth largest po-
lice area in the United States. about two
patrolmen to the square mile. or one pa
,rolmen TO 1868 people, performed street
duty on the last night in June of the fis-
cal year 1899. The same rule held good
throughout every night OF the preceding
year. To cover many OF the beats the pri-
vate had TO walk about sixty squares.
The police day begins at o'clock a.
m, when a member of the force will start
out and patrol his beat until l p. m. when
he reports on at rre re-station, and re-
mains in the station 'on reserve until 6
o'clock p. m, when he is relieved from
all duty until u o'clock midnight. Then
he goes on until O'Clock a. m, when
his day Off begins and continues until
o'clock p. M, when he resumes duty
until midnight, at that hour going on re-
serve until ] o'clock the following day
when he goes ON until 6 o'clock p. m,
returns for reserve duty to conclude by
performing street duty from 12 o'clock
midnight until o'clock in the morning.
THAT member. under the regulations
governing his conduct, Is required to be
respectful, cieanly in appearance and dress.
prompt, and firm; 10 constantly patrol his
beat. be able to give Intelligent responses
10 all enquiries, pay his just debts; to be
honest and sober. prevent crime, arrest Of
tenders, keep memorandum of suspicious
houses and persons, and Of all matters of
police interest: to arbitrate complaints
concerning growing roosters and barking
dogs; be kind TO individuals incapable of
caring for themselves. attend inquests: re-
port accidents. attempts at suicide, ami
mails estray, abandoned infants, dead in
fants. dead bodies found. drownings dead
animals, dangerous and broken pavements
buildings and bridges doors
and windows found open. damaged trees
and boxes. fires, fire plugs damaged, filthy
streets. alleys, and cutters. persons found
sick, damaged hydrants. lamps not lighted
or damaged, pumps out Of order, permits
examined, sewers damaged, filthy sewers,
suicides. water mains and pipes damaged.
and other matters too numerous to men
ton.
I'm this wise the whole force operates
day after day and night after night. In
some localities it is dangerous for a pri-
vate to perform his duty alone. and In the
night time his beat is doub'ed-that is,
two men patrol 1t. insufficient force pre-
vents this course being followed on many
beats where it is desirable to do so.
Pennsylvania Avenue, Connecticut Ave-
nue., and + Street should be straight beats
with squad of patrolmen constantly look
ing after the many matters of public i'm.
portance thereon and thereabouts. The
foreign legations. where distinguished rep
from other countries reside
should have attention from privates con-
fined to short beats, the various circles
cial attention given to riding and driving
as the law directs. and hack stands and
disorderly localities should be inspected
but until Congress abandons
the idea that the Capital is not in need OF
such care it is feared these advanced and
necessary precautions will not be pos
sessed.
THE bicycle has proved valuable ac-
QUESTION in expediting police business in
the District of Columbia. There is no city
in the Union where the streets are better
adapted to its use than those of Washing
ton. While considerable expense attached
to the wear and tear of bicycles during the