The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-29

Total $, 600
Continuing, the harbor master says: In
the appropriation act for the current fiscal
year provision was made for installing a
new boiler and connections in the police
harbor boat Vigilant at an estimated cost
Of $500. Owing to the advance in prices
of material, wages, etc. during the past
year it seems impossible at the present
time to have work done within the
limits of the appropriation, and this fact
may at some subsequent time necessitate
my asking for an additional amount 20
cover the increased cost of the boiler.
THE force allowed by the appropriation
for the current year, together with the
four policemen detailed for duty at this
harbor, is sufficient to constitute but one
crew for the police harbor boat. This crew
performs day duty, coming on at o'clock
a. m. and going off at o'clock p. m. OF
the four policemen, one is a pilot. / am
allowed by law one engineer, one watch
man, and one deck hand, or general utility
man. who. when the boat is out, attends
10 what office business arises during its
absence The Waterman goes on duty at
o'clock p. m. and is relieved at o'clock
a. N. by the general utility man, who re-
mains on duty until o'clock p. m.
This day crew is frequently called out
at night TO enforce the game and fish laws,
which are violated almost nightly, or to
drag the river in the search for the bodies
of drowned persons. The time which nee
essarily elapses before l can assemble the
crew at the harbor office is considerable
and tends to render more difficult, if not
impossible. the performance of the work
for which they were called out. The men
are On such occasions frequently on duty
the entire night. in small boats. engaged
in work which is very arduous. and con-
sequently / am without a crew on the sue
ceeding day. Added 20 this i5 the fact
that during the months Ct June, July, Au--
gust. and September the summer excursion
season is al its height and It is very nee
essary that there should be a night police
force at the wharves to handle the thou
sands Of persons who go down the river in
the evening on the various excursion
steamers.
Disorder Mt Night.
al night time. also. the harbor is fire.
quented by disorderly persons in small
boats, by nude bathers who offend and in
suit passersby. and apparently give free
that the harbor police boat is laid up at
O'clock p. m. and that they are not likely
to be molested.
Your attention is also invited to the
following copy Of an act of Congress es-
tablishing harbor regulations for the Dis
triet Of Columbia. approved May 10, 1886:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatives Of the United States Of America in
Congress assembled, That it shall be unlawful for
any owner or occupant Of any wharf or dock
any master captain of any vessel, or any per-
son or persons TO cast, throw, drop. deposit
any ballast. dirt, oyster shells, or ashes in the
water in any part of the Potomac River or its
tributaries in the District Of Columbia or on the
shores Of said river below lfigh-Tater mark. nm.
less for the purpose Of making a wharf after
permission has been obtained from the Commits
sioners Of the District Of Columbia for that
purpose. which wharf shall be sufficiently en-
closed and secured so as to prevent injury to
navigation
Sec. 2 That it shall be unlawful for any owner
or occupant Of ayy wharf dock. any captain
or master Of any vessel, any other person or
persons to cast, throw. deposit. drop in any
dock in the waters Of the Potomac River or
its tributaries in the District Of Columbia any
dead fish, fsi ofsl, dead animals Of any kind
condemned oysters in the shell, watermelons,
cantaloupes, vegetables, fruits. shavings hay.
str'tg, ice. snow. ilth, or trash of any kind
whatsoever.
Sec. 3. That any person persons violating any
Of the provisions Of this act shall be deeued
guilty OF misdemean0r. and conviction
thereof in the Police Court Of the District Of
columbia shall be punished By q fine not exceed
ing 500 or by imprisonment not exceeding six
IGonths, or by both such punishinrn;s in the dis
crotion Of the court.
Sec. I. That nothing in this act contained shall
be construed TO Interfere with the work Of in