The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-23

]. Raymond Stafford, of SsS Indiana Ave
rue recently wrote to the Commissioners
complaining of the loud and boisteTouS
shouting and singing INDUCED in by the
prisoners locked up from time to time in
the Fourth precinct stationhouse.
Il desire to call your attention" he
writes, Ito a nuisance of almost nightly
occurrence at the Fourth precinct station
house in South Washington. I refer to the
loud, boisterous, and dfsorderly singing,
shouting, bowling, and cursing INDUCED in
by those who are so unfortunate as to fad
themselves within the walls Of the said
station. The time selected for this most
intolerable and unpleasant entertainment
is usually about midnight, and from then
until dawn a stranger passing within two
squares OF the station would justly conclude
that bedIam had broken loose.
"On August the whole neighborhood
was kept awake the entire night by songs,
speeches, and curses, emanating from a
man in the custody of the police. About 2
a. N. l called up the station and informed
the officer in charge that there were in my
residence two persons very sick and re
quested him to silence the offender, or at
least to place hin in some portion of the
station where his vocal exercises would
not disturb the whole neighborhood- The
officer replied that he could only request
the prisoner to keep silent. That the pris
oner did not do so it is unnecessary TO add.
Now, gentlemen, | understand that
there are in all stations a dungeon for IN
ruly or disorderly persons, and, in my
humble opinion d man who will through
the entire night disturb the whole neigh
borhood within a radius Of two blocks from
the place Of detention. ought to be in
generated in q dungeon. Mr.. Commits
sioners, the thing has been going on for
the past three years, and complaint after
complaint has been sent 10 the official in
charge of the Fourth precinct police sta
ton, and during that entire period not one
thing has been done to abate this most
/ diSagreeable nuisance. We have ordinances
for Growing ROSTERS, barking dogs, etc,
Why not let us have police regulation for
bowling men and singing women, who howl
and sing not once or twice, but throughout
the entire night.
In conclusion. let me say that this
communication is addressed to you not
only on my behalf. but at the request and
on behalf OF many Of the residents in the
vicinity Of The aforesaid stationhouse.
precinct, in reporting upon the letter of
Mr.. Stafford. al the request Of the Con-
missioners. stated that the nuisance
complained of is one that exists at times
in all SJatiOnhOuSca, and one that it is
difficult to abate. It often happens he
says. especially on Sunday nights. that the
cells IN this station are all full OF drunken
men ard women. who make night hidzous
by their noise In some instances" he
continues, where profane and indecent
language is used, separate charge Of
profanity in the station is made. and has
been sustained BY the Police Court
IN the special case named By Mr.. S at
ford, on August !, Officer McGtath asked
for an information on the charge. bur was
refused By Mr. Elliott, who was setting for
Mr.. Pugh.
We nave a dark cell in the basement,
but owing to its being so damp it can sell
dom be used to incarccTate Prisoners, and
in cold weasheE it is unfit for use. as il IS
not heated.
The Superintendent of Police. upon the
reception OF Lieutenant Hollinberger's
report. referred it TO y. l. Sinclair AS
sistant Attorney for the District. asking
for information regarding the Issuing OF
inforIaatioEs by Mr. Elliott. Mr. Sinclair
reported to the Superintendent that Mr..
Elliott who is a member of the Metro
poiitan police force detailed in the Office
&C the District Attorney, performs duties
that are strictly ministerial. and that he
is an information writer and not an infor-
nation issuer. Mr. Sinclair stated that he
acts under the supervision OF the Prose-
cutting Attorney. being invested with 10
authority in the matter OF issuing infor-
nations. The attorney states that Mr.
Elliott has no right TO pass upon the
question As 10 whether an information
should or should not be given.
In transmitting the reports to the Coma
missioners Richard Sylvester, Major and
Superintendent CT Police. said There
are times when a stationhouse contains
persons whose actions are not only objec-
ticnable to residents living the near vi
entity. but who even prevent the officers
from getting needfu! rest. I do not know
what can be done to relieve the complain
ant, unless a new dungeon is constructed
in this statioHhouse, with modern facili-
ties for caring for the prisoners who R9y
be placed therein. The present dungeon
rimental to the health CT anyone placed
therein, and l Go not feel warranted in Or
dering such confinement upon the mera
charge of intoXieation or disordeTly con-
duet
I will see what can be done by way of
having existing conditions changed so as
to, in a measure, at least. relieve the resi-
dents Of the horrible noises which they
must contend with at times I would sug-
sest that the matter be referred to the
/ Superintendent of Repairs Of the District
for 4 report as to the proper remedy