Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-09
PARKS AND POLICE
Discussion Of Topics by Brightwood
Avenue Association.
An ADDRESS BY MAJOR SYLVESTER
Report Made on Rock Creek Park
Improvements.
NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT


Brightwood Avenue Citizens Association
was held last evening in Brightwood Hall
A large part of the membership was pres
ent. Mr.. L. P. Shoemaker, president of
the organization, presided, and Mr. John
G.. keene was secretary
Mr.. c. G. Lancaster called the atten-
ton of the association to the fact that
according to a report of the committee sub
mitted at the last meeting, the District
Commissioners were requested to light
Brightwood avenue by electricity, and, If
they did not have the money available,
that they prepare a bill for action of Con-
gress on the subject This was, he said,
impracticable. The proper way, he said.
was to go before the committee on appro-
prlations and state what they wanted and
II this did not suffice to send a committee
to Congress itself.
The chair stated that Major Sylvester
superintendent of police. was present He
spoke in a complimentary way of the major
ana said he would make an address to the
association on his plans for affording the
citizens of Brightwood complete police pro-
lection.
Police Committee's Report
Mr.. Cox. chairman of the committee on
police, presented his report. He said, in
part: AS chairman of the committee hav-
ing charge of the matter of police protec-
ton he had communicated the wishes of
Tue association as to police station and eX-
ira police for this region to Commissioner
Wight and Major Sylvester, and those off,
Gals have not only adopted the sugges-
tons. but have gone further in the right
direction, and have asked Congress to make
an additional precinct in this region.
In going over this important question
with Major Sylvester Mr.. Cox stated.
I'VE found him so alive to the real needs
of the county that your committee re-
quested President Shoemaker to extend to
him an invitation to be present this even
ing. and in an address give an outline of
his plans and the plans of the Commits
sioners Your committee heartily APP
proves these plans. Not only that, but it
Is believed the association will indorse the
magnificent management of the knotty and
troublesome police question by Commits
sioner Wight and Major Sylvester"
Mai. sylvester's Address.
Major Sylvester introduced, and in
the course Of his remarks said: Each and
every one of US recognizes the Importance
which attaches to the proper conduct of
the police institution. Law and order are
essential to good government. Upon the
police establishment depends the collection
of taxes. the maintenance of schools en-
forcement of health regulation, operation
of the fire department undisturbed wor-
ship. and, in fact the welfare of all
CARNATIONS and surroundings.
Nowhere can you find better looking,
more intelligent or efficient body of police
men than is to be found within the Dis
lfICt VI SOlu1uDla, anu, social
conditions. there is place where so little
disorder prevails on Sundays, and where
there is less crime on other days of the
week.
IF the aim is to make the capital and its
environments the greatest political. educa-
tional, enlightened architectural, interest
ing center in the world, aside from its be-
ing the finest seat of government in the
world. why should it not be appropriately
cared for?
There should be a police force in the
atrya of ro1,, ,,oEt 49,
bred privateS. There are few beats COM
prising less than two lineal miles in ex-
tent many of them six eight. and one
containing sixty odd squares of territory.
There have been many well-founded
complaints from the citizens included in
that section extending from Benning road
to Rock creek. which. perhaps, contains
nearly eighteen square miles of territory
and about 10000 people. This vast territory
should be thoroughly patroled. I have es-
timated for what / could under the Com
revenues-ffty men-which would scatter
twenty-five over the vast area in the night
time. This would enable me to take the
few on duty in this section now for use in
the more densely populated city section.
THE district north of Florida avenue. ly-
ing between Rock Creek and Benning.
should comprise new or tenth precinct,
which the Commissioners are authorized to
establish. BUT the men to man the dis
trict must be appointed. and to that end
you are respectfully urged to work. 1 be-
lieVe the station should be on the border
of Mount Pleasant.
Owing to the inadequate and limited
force at command beats included in the
rough and rugged sections must be patrolled
singly OF by one private, who not only runs
the risk of losing his head for want of sup
port from a partner, but who runs the
risk of losing his employment. from the
fact that the low and disorderly organize
to outswear his testimony when cases are
called in court.
THE constant opportunity to take ad-
vantage of the guardians of the peace
makes his life a burden at times, and yet
1t is a condition which can only be changed
by Congress making proper provision for
the protection of its servants and the pub
lie at large. For this reason it is impor-
tant that the judges of the courts and
superintendent should have at least a fair
knowledge of the qualities of those who
go to make up the police force.s
At the conclusion Of Major Sylyester's
address he was given a vote of thanks and
on motion of Mr.. E. T. Bates, resolutions
were adopted by unanimous vote indors.
Ing the. address and the plan of police pro-
lection recommended.
New Pavement Wanted.
On motion of DR. C. q Stone n resolution