The Washington times., 1901-10-03
TO BE A POLICE CAPTAIN.
The HarbOrmaster to Belong to
the Metropolitan Force.
Major Sylvester Makes RecOmmen-
dations in Regard TO Patrol Boat
Service - SuSgestions FavOrnbIy
Received by the Commissioners.


Major Richard Sylvester. Superintend-
ent of Police has forwarded to the Com
missioners communication in which he
suggests certain changes in the law relat-
ing to the operations of the police boat.
These changes contemplate placing the
police boat on new footing. 1t is sug
gested that the Harbormaster be styled
Captain and Harbormaster in the Metro
politan Police Force. and estimates are
submitted for the maintenance of day
and night crews on the boat
The Superintendent points out that the
Harbormaster and the crew under him
are now under the direction of the Com
r1issioners, and it is proposed that here
after they shall be a part of the Police
Department, and under the supervision of
the Major and Superintendent of Police.
In order to secure" says Major Syl-
vester, that improved service which. to
my mind. is particularly necessary at this
period, have to recommend that the APP
preparation bill for the fiscal year ending
June 80 1905. be permitted to carry an
amendment to the effect that the officer
now designated as 'Harbormaster for the
District of Columbia shall hereafter be
known as Captain in the Metropolitan
and that the Major and Superintendent of
Police shall hereafter be charged with the
enforcement of all laws and regulations
relating TO the harbor. and employ such
captain in the execution of the duties ap-
pertaining thereto
The matter was considered in board
session yesterday and the Commissioners
were unanimous in the opinion that the
carrying out of the recommendation
would be a splendid move. Harbormaster
Sutton was called TO the Office of Com
missioner Macfarland later in the day to
express his views upon such action. He
was naturally much pleased with the
proposition
Harbormaster Sutton, with a force of
privates detailed from the Police Depart
ment, has rendered most efficient serv-
ice. There is room, however, for many
embarrassments which 1t Is believed well
to provide against at this time. A case
for instance. might arise where such pri-
Yates of the force might be called upon to
perform a delicate police duty. and il
would he necessary for them TO receive
instructions from an officer who is
member OF the police force with rank. not
one who only has the powers of an addi-
tional policeman Mr. Sutton is merely
an additional private, and in order to Sc
cure that improved service Major Syl-
vester makes his recommendation.
Up to the present time the Harbor-
master has not been provided with II
night crew" said Major Sylvester. FOR
the conduct of the patrol boat employed
in and about the harbor, but has been en-
abled to do day work only. Very often
he is called upon TO render service in the
nighttime, In the recovery Of drowned
bodies or in the saving of life or prop
a~fEr and no iG Instl he n ROY fRF Gap
vice for want of proper assistance.
IN such a change should meet with the
approval of the Commissioners. / would
further suggest that ali estimates for the
maintenance of the police patrol boat be
included in those of the Police Depart
ment. and to the end that a sufficient
force may be provided for 4 more perfect
system in this respect, ! recommend in
addition to the estimates which the Com
missioners may make fer the patrol boat
appropriation for one captain, also Har-
bormaster 1880; two sergeants who
shall be licensed pilots one for day and
one for night work, at $3.50 each per an
mum, 81, 100; two engineers at 800 each per
annum. s., 800; two flremen at $3.50 each per
annum, $3.50: one 1anitOr, $3.50; one deck
sergeant, $l,oN1.
This arrangement, with a sufficient de-
tail of privates in force, would provide
day and night crew for the boat to per-
form twelve hours service each. These
figures do not include fuel and repairs
now paid by the Commissioners
The HaTbOrmaSter has AT his disposal
a police boat" Major Sylvester saws
with a detail OF police officers under
him, who are charged with the enforce
ment of the regulations referred to. also
the various laws and regulations relat-
ing to the District Of Columbia. These
include a supervision OF Illegal fishing
and hunting, gambling and disorders ana
irregularities OF all kinds. The police as
signed to the police boat are ut the pres
ent time by direction of the Commits
sioncrs. subject to the orders of the Har- |
bormaster. The law gives the Commits |
sioners authority to detail members of
the police force to such places as they
may determine but the law on the other |
hand provides for officers superior to the
privates of police. under whose orders
bay shall opgrltp'