The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-24
HEARINGS ON LOCAL BILLS.
Major Sylvester Appears Before the
House District Committee.

MINOR sylvester Appears bttOFt tnt
House District Committee.
The House District Committee yester-
day considered three local bills. one of
which was ordered fayorably reported.
That was the bill making the age limit for
the commitment of girls to the Reform
School seventeen years. instead OF six
teen years, as under the present law.
The other measures considered were
the Commissioners bill for the reorgani-
zation of the police force and the bill to
iacrease the salaries of the Police Court
judges. The Police Reorganization bill. it
was said, will be ordered reported favor
ably at the next meeting of the commit
tee.
Major Sylvester, Chief OF Police. ex-
planned to the committee the sections and
provisions of the police bill The Major
read . carefully prepared statement, Civ
ing in detail the duties and requirements
of the force. He pointed out the differ
ence between a district and precinct,
and stated that under the existing law the
entire District of Columbia constitutes
one police district. The proposed bill
provides for two districts, with an in
spector for each.
An assistant superintendent OF police
is also provided for.
1t is most important, Major Sylvester
said. that an Assistant Superintendent be
appointed because of the manifold duties OF
the Major and Superintendent. Major Syl-
yester explained that when the police
force was hrst organized Congress limited
the number of priyates to 200. That law
had never been changed. but the Commit
tee on Appropriations had from time to
time provided for the appointment of ad-
Gitional privates until nov the force con-
sIsts of 541 privates.
Major Sylvester in reply to Mr. Sims. a
member of the committee. stated that
Washington, for its size, had the smallest
police force of any city in the country.
and a wider territory was covered by the
police than in any other city. The Major
also explained the police pension fund
and the necessity for the change recon-
mended in the bill under consideration
During the reading OF his statement the
members of the committee paid the clos
est attention and frequently interrupted
the Major by asking questions. thus show
ing the interest in the measure.
The members of the committee made it
clear that they are favorably disposed,
and the consensus of opinion is the bill,
with perhaps one or two slight amend
ments, will be reported to the House with
the recommendation that it do pass.
Police Court Judges Scott and Kimball
were before the committee to urge the
passage of the bill to increase the salary
of the Police Court judges from $4,000 to
$4,000 per annum and to provide for the
appointment of an acting Police Court
judge.
Judge Kimball made statement in ex
PLANTATION of the necessity of the bill. and
gave a brief but interesting review of the
work required of the Police Court judges,
who work 312 days in the year.
Assistant Attorney General Hoyt, CT the
Department of Justice, was also before
the committee. and made an argument in
favor OF the bill increasing the age of
girls for commitment to the Girls Reform
School from 16 to II years.