Evening star., 1901-11-09

JOHN T. DEvINE
moi -am Proprietor
officers, privates and desk sergeants. was
as follows:
One major and superintendent at head
quarters, one captain and assistant super
intendent In charge of the detective bu-
reau at headquarters; one captain eXercis-
ing a general supervision of the property
and equipment of the department, and two
captains inspecting the first and second
subdistricts of police into which the Dis
trict of Columbia is divided
Nine police lieutenants commanded as
many precincts. with thirty-two sergeapts
as immediate assistants and BIC prtvates
performing patrol duty, the remainder OF
the total of $40 privates being employed IN
this manner: Ninety eight detailed to spe-
cial assignments. 81 to posts 40 on leave i
suspended and y sick.
The service of special assignments. it is
stated should be curtaiied in several re-
spects by congressional provision. In lieu
of the detail of a policeman for the en-
forcement of the pharmacy law there
should be an officer provided, in connection
with the health department. for such duty.
The six members exercising the duties of
bailiffs at the Police Court should be sup
planted by court baiiiffs. and guards or
watchmen should be substituted in place
of the four named In connection with the
workhouse.
Quota on Duty Too Small.
TT will be observed" says Major Sylves-
ter, that 80 prtvates only were walking
or 'patrolling beats They could not all
be utilized at one time. however, the sys-
TEN permitting the employment of eighty
one privates throughout the day. from 8
o'clock am. until 6 o'clock PM, and 1o3
during the night or remainder of the twen-
ty-four hours ridiculously small quota
for a territorial area of seventy square
miles, embracing valuable government and
private improvements. and containing
population of nearly 100000 people.
Under existing conditions member Of
the force gives the District almost his en-
tire time. The police day begins at s
o'clock am, when member will answer
roll call, go upon the street and patrol un-
til o'clock pm, when he reports off at
the station and remains therein 'on
serve until O'Clock m, when he is re-
lieyed from duty for six hours. At mid
night he resumes work, and continues un-
til 6 O'Clock am. when his day Off begins
and continues until o'clock pm At that
hour he goes on until midnight; then fol-
lows reserve duty until 1 o'clock pm the
following day, when he again goes on
street, to remain there until 6 o'clock p.m.;
then follows reserve duty until midnight,
after which he is ON patrol until O'Clock
in the morning.
I'm this wise the whole force operates
day after day and night after night In
some localities it is dangerous for private
to continue street service alone, and in the
night time his beat is doubled-that Is, two
men cover it. insufficient force prevents
this course being followed in many places
where it is desirable to do so.
Prominent Thoroughfares.
Pennsylvania avenue. Connecticut ave-
nue. and F street should be straight bets.
with a squad Of patrolmen constantly look
ing after the many matters Of public i'm
portance thereon and thereabouts. The for
eign legations. where distinguished repre-
sentatives from other countries reside,
1l~
fined to short tours; the various circles
should be looked after by details, and spe-
cfal attention given to control riding and
driving at circles as the law directs. and
hack stands and disorderly localities should
be inspected continuously: but until Con-
gress abandons the idea that the capital is
not in need of such care 1t Is feared these
advanced and necessary precautions will
not be possessed
What Citizens Should Know.
This outline Of the system Is given that
the citizens may have some conception of
the strength, disposition and requirements
Of members of the force With such in
their possession they are prepared to speak
and act more intelligently concerning the
public institution. one which concerns and
interests all advocates OF good government.
1t is well that they should understand the
situation as their cooperation, both ac-
lively and morally, is essential to its proper
maintenance.
table is submitted which shows that
compared to it's area in acres Washington
has the smallest police force of any of the
principal cities He speaks highly Of the
efficiency and importance OF the bicycle
police. saying that the bicycle has proven
a most valuable invention for police work.
Major Sylvester recomme9P that when
platoon or eight-hour system, with re-
serve, be adopted. That period will have
been reached when the force called for in
the estimates shall have been provided,
and 1t is confidently predicted that the re-
suits will be for the best in every way, and
be long step toward giving the District the
finest police equipment and service in this
country. With its establishment there
should be less sickness and disability and
a more creditable police representation than
obtained under the existing system.
Criminal Identification.
Major Sylvester details the success Of
the plan to bring the bureau Of criminal
Identification to this city. The prime object
of the change from, Chicago to Washing
ton. it is stated. Is to afford Congress an
object lesson OF the great worth of such
an establishment IL made national in char
acter and placed under government control
By such action every police officer sheriff
and marshal. as well as agents Of the gen.
eral government, would have access to the
criminal Information concentrated In such
bureau. On the same score II Is expected
that all police officers would avail them
selves OF the opportunity to contribute IN
formation to the bureau for the general
benefit Of their feIlow-oficiaIs. A PROPOSE
tion to be enacted into law has been
drafted, approved by the Attorney General
OF the United States and by the Associa-
tion of Chiefs Of Police. The bill is to be
presented to Congress at the coming ses-
sion.
Major Sylvester says that the licensed
drinking places In the city have generally
conformed to the law. a well-defined i'm
provement being noted In this particular.
Nearby Resorts.
In regard to suburban resorts he says:
"The extension of the various electric
railway lines In the surrounding country
outlying the District resulted In the es-
tablishment Of q number of pleasure re-