The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-13
FAVORED BY SYLVESTER
The Police Superintendent Rec
ommends Public Fairgrounds.
Suys They Should BE Established in
Various Sections of the Cify-SuE-
EestiOns Made in His Annual Re-
port to the Com snissioncrs-The
Record of Crime for the Year.

In his annual report, submitted to the
Commissioners yesterday, Major Sylvester,
Superintendent of Police. gives space to
the subject of public Fairgrounds. He
says:
1.-The many laws and regulations which
affect the occupancy of the streets and
reservations, the playing of ball. flying
of kites. and assembiages, effectually
dampen the pastimes of city children and
tend to instill defiance into. the more
advanced youth. Boys driven from pillar
to post in seeking spots for recreation
find quiet only in the pool and card room,
working degeneracy which is to be de-
plored. This department receives more
complaints regarding the small boys than
all others put together. The citizen whose
quiet is disturbed or window pane broken
calls for the police. The parent con-
demns the officer and the complainant
alike. The member of the force is d.
rected to invoke parental aid in the first
instance and arrest in the second. 1t is
not desirable that children should be ar
rested, however, for minor offences, as
the fright and humiliation incident thereto
only tend to harden, if not permanently
mark, the career of the young and per-
haps unintentional violator. A boys hours
for nightly recreation should be limited
and his scope for daylight enjoyment en-
larged. Public Fairgrounds must sooner
or later prevail in the several sections of
the city.
THE proposition of Col. Theodore A.
Bingham, U. S. A, Superintendent of Pub
Il,,sl.1 a. 10
parks for the purpose deserves hearty
support. But TO make such attractive,
there should be established the tennis
court, ball field, croquet ground, bowling
alley, swings, etc., all to be utilized I'M
der an active and intelligent police de-
tail. The public bathing beach is in line
with the proposed establishments. From
an insignificant beginning it has prcspered
and is now an assured success. Its police
ing by a member Of the Metropolitan po-
lice force is an expenditure in most
laudable direction. ST. Louis is making
efforts in the same direction, as appears
from the following published abstract:
This brief summary is testimonial
to the efficiency Of the force and an argu-
inert for its increase, the cases handled by
the police being as numerous here as in
commercial cities with over twice the pop
ulation and double the police force.
" In certain portions of the city the i'm
preston prevails that the school children
are not afforded sufficient room for play at
the schools they attend daily. Because OF
the inadequate facilities provided for recre-
alton in many of the school districts it has
been proposed that the board OF education
, make some arrangements toward the open
ing Of public play grounds, where the
youngsters may romp and have plenty OF
room to Stretch themselves.
yesterday afternoon committee,
composed Of the following gentlemen, called
on Prof e. Louis Sedan Superintendent of
schools. with reference to the matter of
more commodious Fairgrounds for the pu-
pills: Judge 7. F. ". Zimmerman, E. G.
Winter, Ed Dewey. and C. ]. Dosrr. The
committee represented a citizens meeting
and the st. Louis Gymnastic Society and
during the course Of the interview it was
suggested tina; Carr Park, between Wash
and Carr Streets, would be a good place
for the establishment of one of these public
Fairgrounds. A general plan for the estab-
lishmen; of such grounds in various parts
OF the city where they are most needed
was discussed, and at the termination of
the Interview Superintendent Sedan ex-
pressed the opinion that the suggestions
of the committee would meet with the APP
proval Of the board of education. A prop
osition looking toward the accomplishment
OF that end VIII be submitted. it is antici-
pated, at the next meeting"
Excessive speed On street railways
comes in for its share of attention The
report says:
IT he police are charged with the en-
forcement. among other regulations, CT
those relating TO street railway lines. and
while there has been a general avoidanc,
OF accidents at intsrsecting roads, due to
the presence and vigilance CT the special
street railway policemen, there have teen
serious accidents at points along the
lines, in many instances attributable tt
the excessive speed INDUCED in By motor
men In order to attain the work re Iuired
by the company schedules.
1.-THE inexcusabie speed INDUCED in at
times not only caused accidents but dis
turbed the rest and comfort of residents
living on the streets over which the roads
are operated and make motormen SO in
clfned kings of the road over every
body and everything in the way CT pedes-
TRANS or vehicles. Where arrests are
made the employe invariably receives the
minimum imposition CT fine. fer the rea-
son that he has to pay it. Were the law
such rs to make the corporations pay for
the violations, when committed in OBJ
dience to schedule requirements, there
would be fewer cases to annoy the man
agement Of the roads, the public and the
police"
With reference to crime in the Distric.
the report says:
There were more crimes of greater
and less magnitude, against persons and
property, reported to this department
during the year which ended June 30.
1900, than for the same period proceed ng.
except that there were three murders
less. where those charged were held after
a preliminary hearing. There were four
teen persons committed on the last
named charge, nine of them being white
and Ave colored, this being an unusual
condition in this jurisdiction. In other
words the records with respect to muir
der have been reversed SO far as the So
cial figures are concerned. The District
authorities stand alone, when considered
in connection with those of the leading
municipalities, in having apprehended the
criminal in each case.
1.-The horrible details attending most Of
the cases are still fresh in the public
mind. In addition to those arrested for
the preparation of the murders during
the fiscal year. the departments persist
ent efforts to take into custody the fugi-
tive, Frank Funk, were rewarded with
success. While there was an increase in
the number Of offences reported over the
year before, there were a less number of
cases then as compared with the same Pc
riod three years ago, all going to show
that while there is an advancement in
crime some years. there is general de-
crease over the year before.
The District for year past has been
free from professional burglars, pickpocK-
cts. and safeblowers. while other locali