The times., 1899-12-06

effort on the part OF the Major and Super
inteHdeDt OF Police and those who assist
him. Every mans qualifications have been
( measured and he has been placed in
position wherein il has been thought he
can DO the most good. An unusua ly large
number Of changes have taken place during
the past year. Quite q number of those
who are no longer fit for service have been
retired; some have been relieved of the
more active duties and given positions less
aTduous but important Much attention
has been given 20 the policing OF the
steam railroad stations and the wharyes.
/ There was a time when these places were
| considered fl posts for the poorest mate
f! rial In the department. At present the re
verse is true, and the best men on the
/ force are not considered too good 10 guard
I these important arteries Of the city's life.
( The record Of the past year shows a sub
/ stanual diminution in crime generally.
/ This was largely due TO the good work
done al the depots on the part Of the de-
/ tectives and policemen stationed there,
who on many occasions, spotted" dis
/ honest people as they arrived or were about
10 depart
Complete and thorough plans have been
inaugurated whereby the police districts
in The city and county have been subdi-
viGed 10 meet modern conditions, and each
branch is under the charge of an efficient
and experienced inspector who is held re-
sponsible for what occurs in his district.
! The policing OF a city IS one of the most
I important as well as one of the most diff
/ hcult Of municipal problems. It is a con-
tinual study. AL new methods which
are believed to be of advantage are in
/ tToduced il possible into this department,
and If found effective are retained and
used.
! Population and Improvements have ad
( vanced so rapidly that the provision made
for their protection have not been COM
mensurate with the necessities, The de-
. tective corps for instance which con-
sists Of twelve members OF the force de-
tailed for special service IN looking up
matters Of criminal nature has not been
increased for years. This force has been
required 10 attend 10 not only a great
deal OF petty thieving, but frequent de-
mands are made upon il by other munich
ualities. i'm finding criminals and following
UP matters consistent with their duties.
Il has been deemed eXpedient during the
past year to detail four additional police
prlyates fer this work but these men,
while performing the labors incident to the
positions. are not receiving the compensa-
tiOn allowed others for the same service.
Il is regarded as in the interest Of the
public that at least two OF these men
should be serving a probationary period,
and that the other two should be paid the
general compensation OF $2i0 per annum
new provided for the regularly detailed
( members Of the corps With Two prlyates
thus serving on probation they can be ad-
vanced 20 the other grade should those re-
ceiving the better compensation show
themselves inferior with respect to the
duties assigned them.
Needs OF New stations.
The city Is now divided into nine police
precincts. and has been since before the
growth of the suburbs. That extensive
territory lying north of Florida Avenue,
between Benning Road on the east, Rock
Greek on the west, and the Maryland line
on the north, has grown TO the proportion
Of a city, population and wealth being
considered while the police protection af-
f0rdcd il is the same now as when II con
sisted Of unimproved lots and commons
Some Of the villages and institutions In
cluded therein are Mount Pleasant Bright
wood Soldiers Home. Takoma Brook
land. Eckingtop, University Heights, How
ard University Metropolitan View, lie
Droit Park. Catholic University Lamond,
Rock Creek Church, National Park, Terra
Gotta Petworth Lanier Heights, and Con-
grcss Heights surrounded by an immed
late population OF at least 10000. This sec
tfon has its schools. churches and engine
houses. but 10 police station. An ap
preparation has been asked for To provide
and equip a new station house, 10 be To-
Gated therein; also for a command OF Al
least City men and necessary employees 10
facilitate the business requirements Of
such
So greatly is this staHonhouse needed, in
The opinion OF the Commissioners, that they
= reluctantly relinquish their purpose Of at
this time eudeayoring 10 provide a central
station in the heart OF the city, 10 take the
place OF the old station No. ], which is
very imperfect in equipment and accommO-
dations and which it IS hoped may be
provided ere long. In this connection il
NAV be stated that in order TO provide
! proper complement of men for the proposed
Tenth precinct. provision should be made
FOR mounting at least six OF them for duty
I'M the outlying sections OF the precinct.
The station itself should be of modern
stvle of architecture and be provided with
everything hat would tend TO adapt il for
I the purpose for which it would be used,
hoth from sanitary and useful standpOints
The estimates include the purchase Of a
lot and the construction OF a building at q
cost Of $Zs 000.
Importance of sanitary Officers.
A report OF the Police Department would
be incomplete without reference to the
excellent work Of the sanitary officer
Comparatively few people know what is
done I'm The sanitary Office There the poor
the insane, the vagrants ordered TO leave
the city, the sick are taken or 90 for a
disposition Of their cases. The sanitary
officer has entire charge Of the ambulance
service the placing OF the INDECENT sick in
the various hospitals, the transportation
of prisoners and paupers. and the commit
ment of the insane 10 the asylum. Pc
cuisTly fitted for these trying duties, this
sanitary officer, with patience and skill,
in a quiet way has accomplished vast
amour; Of good work for the District. II is
"a pleasure 10 have been able 20 provide him
with new and increased accommodations,
where he has better facilities for han
ding this important branch OF the city's
work Some idea of the labor In this Of
fee may be gathered from the following
figures for the past year: Eight hundred
and ninety persons were furnished
with transportation TO their homes; 4,040
persons were sent 10 the several hospitals:
22s insane persons were properly tried and
admitted TO the Government Hospital for
the Insane: there were 307g calls for am
balances which were responded TO; while
4 innumerable "Cranks" and demented per-
sons have visited the office, airing mag
mary grievances. consuming valuable time
and have been sent away either pacihed or
so cared for as TO prevent their doing
harm TO themselves or others.
Congress has made provision for the ap-
po'ntment Of what are known as additional
priyatcs. which means that in certain sec.
tious Of the District, where the property
| owners feel that their premises cannot be
sufficiently protected by the regular pO-
icemeu. men are employed 10 watch q Ger.