The evening times., 1900-01-02

When the District appropriation bill
comes up before Congress the official most
interested in its outcome will probably be
Major Richard Sylvester. Superintendent Of
Police. His attention is naturally directed
to the appropriation for the local police
force and while interested in proposed i'm
provements as a whole, the major portion
Of his interest will be. and is now. CEN
tired in the action that will be taken in
regard to the proposed establishment of an
additional police precinct,
In his annual report to the Commission
ers. which has been forwarded to Congre IS
by them, with their endorsement, Major
Sylvester makes a strong plea for the cre-
alton of what he styles the Tenth pre-
cinct"
He asks that a stationhouse be erected,
and a lieutenant, three sergeants. and full
complement of men necessary to the prop
er patroling of the new precinct be ap-
pointed. He says that in the event the
appropriation is granted and the proposed
precinct established the benefits derived
will be numberless and of such character
as 10 at once give evidence of the wisdom
of the plan. In his report on the matter
Major Sylvester says:
In submitting an estimate for the ifs
cal year 1899, 200 privates were asked for
as being the number OF additional men
actually needed to give the seventy square
miles of District territory proper police
protection. II was not expected that Con-
gress would do something il had never
done before-supply the pressing need in
toto but il was believed that an allowance
for fifty privates would be made.
The Senate appreciated the situation
and recommended 100, but reeeded during
the closing hours of Congress and joined
with the House in granting twenty five pri-
Yates and one sergeant. The 10 included
in the estimate made at that time should
now be provided for, but in the face of the
probable limited District revenues that
may be available for police purposes fav-
orable conditions will enable a passable
continuance for a year longer should Con-
gress be generous enough TO appropriate
for the lieutenant. three seTgeants fifty
prIvates, two station keepers, janitor, and
two drivers. who will be necessary to make
. full complement Of men for the proposed
Tenth police precinct.
That extensive area north OF Florida
Avenue and bounded by Rock Greek on the
west and Benning Road on the east, in
cIuding over fifteen square miles of terri
tory and a population Of about 10000 peO-
pie. has been and is now dividing police
command with the city of Washington,
whereby one section suffers at the expense
of the other.
The lamentable weakness OF the subUr-
ban patrol, and of the city precinct con-
tiguous. has long been and is now source
OF just complaint and criticism. The es-
tablishment of a tenth precinct. which was
wears ago contemplated by law-sectiOn
36a. Revised Statutes, relating to the Dis
trict Of Columbia-with its proper quota
of guardians of the peace is a necessity.
The proposed precinct would include,
among other villages and institutions.
Mount Pleasant Brightwood, Soldiers
Home. Takoma. Brooklyland. Eek
ington. University Heights, Howard
University. Metropolis View, lie Droit
Park, Catholic University, Lamond, Rock
Creek Church. National Park. Terra Gotta,
Petworth. IngIeside. Lanier Heights, and
various roads and populated subdivisions,
md some of the most valuable eresidences
located in the District.
The magnificent adjacent driveways,
which are patronized by Government Off
cials and thousands of citizens. the subuF-
ban railway lines and resorts where thou |
sands more find their way, are sparsely po-
liced by the limited force available for the
purpose Rapid transit has prompted the |
DulIlUR OF HuuuItuS VI HoIhtS III tI4S HSC-
ton. Not only have many villages follow !
ed the line of progress, but in the heights /
adjacent TO Washington a city Of extensive |
proportions now stands where but few |
years ago there were commons.
There are schools and churches, rail- /
roads, and stores, three engine houses, and !
no police station. Members of the force /
must travel from the nearest stationhouse !
10 their posts of duty. Prisoners must like /
wise be transported miles at times TO court |
Or places OF confinement. The city rowdy |
and criminal find refuge in these outlying |
sections. to be interrupted by the patrol 1
nan who by hard travel occasionally gets
over his large beat. While fathers and |
brothers employed in the city are engaged |
in their daily tasks, mothers, wives, and
children are left at home but partially
protected. This should not be the case in
he District of Columbia.
With proper police patrol in The county
portion OF the District the number Of Of
enders who succeed in escaping from this
Jurisdiction would be reduced to the mini
num- The environments of the Capital
yity should be effectualiy guarded"