The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-09
The Washington Police Force.

The urgent request of Major Sylvester
fer an appropriation which will allow the
appointment of one hundred and sixty
more men to the police force is one which
should receive the immediate and favor
able attention of Congress. There are
several reasons for this any one Of which
would be enough TO warrant the granting
of the appropriation. The one most obvi-
Gus is that Washington has smaller pc
lice force than other towns of little more
than half its area. 1t is apparent that in
such case. either this city is not getting
the protection it ought to have. or the
| men on the force are Overworked or both
The latter is probably the case. for II is
wholly impossible for five hundred men,
even if they are all most earnest and eff
| fcient- to do the work which eight hull
dred ought to do, and in the effort to ac-
complish this they are likely to have al
together too much on their hands.
1t should also be remembered that this
| request of Major sylvester's has been
during that time the city has increased in
population and in wealth. and many houses
| have been built. Moreover, two years ago
we were not on the eve of an Inaugural
ton, an event which will fill the city with
strangers, of whom certain percentage
will be persons ardentIy sought by the
detectives. There is consequently even
more need for an increase in the police
force than there was at the time when the
matter was first placed before Congress.
The Superintendent of Police points out
several facts which prove the necessity
of an additional force. One of these is
that owing to the circumstance that this
is the National Capital. and thus the resi-
dence of distinguished Americans and for
eigners. there now and then comes a time
when a special guard is needed for some
dwelling or office building This was the
case not long ago with the Chinese Lega-
ton, and it was thought necessary to keep
the legation buildings strongly protected
for several weeks. The men detailed for
this purpose had to be taken from patrol
duty elsewhere. There was no reserve
force, as there is in most cities. on which
the Chief of Police could draw in such
an emergency, and Major Sylvester sug-
gests very sensibly. that in the capital Of
the United States. of all places, there
ought to be one.
Another thing which should be noted
in connection with this matter is that in
the event of the appointment OF these ad-
ditional policemen Major Sylvester in
tends to establish the eight-hour system
This means that no man on the force will
have more to do than he should do, in
ordinary circumstances. and that he will
thus have come reserve strength for
emergencies He will have time to eat.
sleep. and take recreation. in his off hours,
and il he goes off duty al half past twelve
at night it will not be necessary to wake
him up at half past five to take dog
watch but he can go home and get his |
nights rest instead of sleeping at the sta
tionfouse This will not only be con-
yenient for the patroIman. but it will save |
considerable planning and contrivIng for |
the leutenants and captains, and they will |
not have to survey the whole precinct in |
case Of emergency TO see where they can |
impose extra duty on a man without ac-
tuGlIy breaking him down. The long and |
short Of Il is that city OF the size and
dignity OF Washington should have police
men enough for its protection, without any
body's having to worry about making them
go around. /; is all very well to cut the
coat according TO the cloth, but a tailor
who Is not mean will provide enough cloth
to make the coat as /, ought to be.