The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-30


Congress to create the Office OF fourth
lieutenant inspector Of police His duties
Will be to look after the police district
lying in the county, and TO relieve Captain
Austin from some of the work that now
takes up q great deal OF his time, and
prevents his being at Headquarters 10
act as deputy superintendent when Major
Sylvester is not there.
Major Sylvester has held several consul
tations with the Commissioners regarding
this matter and it is now certain that
the proposition TO create the new Office
will be included in the District Approprla-
tlon bill, and the law authorizing the or
ganization of the police force will be
amended to admit the employment Of the
additional officer.
II became apparent to Major Sylvester
some time ago that the work Of the in
spectors in the department had so in
creased that they were unable 10 attend
to all OF the duties required OF them.
Since his assumption Of the command Of
The police force several changes have been
made in the inspectors. Prior to the fall
OF 1888 these men did not have any regular
hours to be on or off. They were supposed
to be in and around the city all the time
watching the policemen. They spent most
OF their time patroIing the streets at
night, when the policeman is supposed to
be off his guard. Only two inspectors were
detailed for this duty. the third being
placed at the head Of the detective force.
The two inspectors detailed TO watch the
privates were popularity known as night
inspectors, although they were supposed to
be on duty all Of the time.
In the summer OF 1898 Major Sylvester
divided the city into two districts. over
each of which he placed an inspector He
also discontinued the practice that had
prevailed formerly, in having the lieuten-
ants OF the various precincts report at
headquarters each morning, bringing with
them a written report OF the happenings
IN their respective districts during the pre-
YiOuS twenty four hours. Major Sylvester
thought this was consuming too much val
/ liable time. so he notified the inspectors
/ that they would be expected to visit each
/ stationhouse at least twice a day. in the
/ morning and afternoon, when all letters
/ or reports Of any kind would be delivered
| TO them by the lieutenants in charge and
would be transmitted TO Headquarters in
I this manner
] lAe cry hds divided INTO Two sections
/ over each OF which an inspector was plac-
ed. The plan worked very successfully ex-
/ cept that II practically abolished the Office
of night inspector, as the two inspecto, s
could not be expected to work all day and
I then az night
To correct this evil the Major appointed
two acting sergeants who should be made
! night inspectors last summer In divid-
ing the city the county was left out OF con-
ef1 lHl.H ion. a -
. IS almost as much territory there which
is not visited by an inspector as there is
. In the city. where two are employed. Cap
tain Austin was requested to look out for
this section as much as possible.
The duties OF the captain were very ex-
( acting in the first place and the increase
| Of work that was the result OF this order
| almost prevented his appearance at Head
quarters at all. He was compelled 70 spend
so much OF his time in his district. In his
| request TO the Commissioners. Major Syl-
/ yesteT stated:
1T Is not reasonable to suppose that the
/ Major and Superintendent can dispose OF
| the multiplicity OF affairs which require
attention at Headquarters; neither should
it be expected that the two lieutenant in
spectors could properly cover the seventy
square miles Of territory twice in twenty
four hours, especially when no provision
/ Is made for their being mounted. The
| county section Of this jurisdiction is en-
titled 10 the same care and inspection IN
der the law as in the city proper, hence
the captain must give it his attention
| 1t should not be forgotten that for years
| improvements OF all kinds have been ex-
tending throughout the District OF Column
bia largely induced by superior rapid tran
| sit; that the force performing patrol duty
/ has been growing toward important dimen-
! siOns; police business in its many details
! and perplexities has Quadrupled, while no
relief in the shape of assistance has been
| afforded the Major and Superintendent al
| Headquarters. In order therefore that he
may have the advice and aid of at least
| one official, an additional lieutenant sn-
| spectOr is asked for. who may be assigned
! to the supervisory work now being done BY
| the captain Of police"
The Commissioners regard Major Sylves-
| ter's recommendation with favor and have
promised to do what they can toward Sc
curing the additional inspector.