The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-04
Hecht & Company,
513-515 Seventh Street.

513-515 Seventh Street.
surgeons, who shall duly certify as to
the health and physical soundness of the
! applicant.
| The duties of policemen are defined
under the proposed law TO be:
Ffrst-To preserve the public peace
Seoond-To prevent crime and arrest
| the offenders.
Third-To protect the rights of persons
and property.
Fourth-To guard the public health
! Fffth-To report nuisances existing in
| the public streets, roads, alleys, high
/ ways. and other places.
! SiXth-To provide proper police force
! at every fire, in order that thereby the
hremen and property may be protected
, Seventh-To protect travellers and
! strangers al steamboat and ship landings
and railway stations.
Elghth-To see that all laws relating TO
/ the observance of Sunday and regarding
pawnbrokers, mock auctions gambling. in
temperance, lottery dealers, Migrants, dis
orderly persons, and the public health are
properly enforced; and to enforce and
obey all laws and ordinances in force in
the District of Columbia properly applica-
Bile to police or health. and not inconsis-
tent herewith.
The proposed law further provides for
the duties of the officers of the depart
ment, and stipulates that when a vacancy
occurs in the Office of captain. lieutenant
or sergeant. such fact shall be commune
Gated by the Commissioners of the Dis
trict Of Columbia to the Civil Service Com
mission. who viii hold a competitive ex-
animation for such vacancy or vacancies
within thirty days thereafter. Privates OF
class who have been such for period
OF at least one year are eligible to COM
pete in such examinations for sergeants,
to be examined in regard TO the duties of
the Office for which they may be randi-
dates. police regulations ofthe District Of
Columbia. practical questions, handwriting.
spelling, and arithmetic. The law also
provides that the applicant making the
highest percentage, his length of service
record on the force with respect to loss OF
time trials for the infraetiOn of rules.
reprimands. and physical condition being
considered Herewith. shall be promoted to
any vacancy, which promotion shall be
considered permanent, if after six months
probation he shall be retained in such po-
sition
The Law Regulating Pensions.
One Of the new features of the proposed
law relates to the pensioning of certain
members of the force under specified con-
ditions. 1t is provided that the major and
superintendent, assistant superintendent,
captains and lieutenants, after fl cen
years service On the police force or hav-
ing been injured in the line Of duty, may
be removed from the force and shall re
ceive an allowance Of so per cent of the !
salary paid a the time of such removal. |
or in case of death. the widow and chill |
dren under sixteen years OF age shall be |
granted sum not exceeding that afore- 1
4 L..
any member OF the police force. In actual |
discharge of his duty, shall become ac-
tUaily disabled, his necessary expenses
during the time Of such dsa bility on The |
certificate of police surgeon. stating the
manner, cause, and condition OF the in
jury, and approved by the Commissioners,
may become a charge upon the police
mems fund, but the Commissioners may |
discontinue the allowance for any salts
factory reason.
The remainder of the bill. which is
yoluminous. provides for the detail and
management of the force, the duties of |
officers and men being explicitly stated.
There are minute directions for the issue
Of so-called raiding warrants. The mum
Der of books TO be kept at the station
houses and the manner of keeping each
are set forth. The power OF the appoint
ment of police matrons is stated, and also
relative to the rights and
status OF persons practicing as private
detectives in the District.
A Metropolitan police district, compris-
ing the entire Distric; of Columbia and | !
governed by a board OF police was con-
itltuted in 1861. This arrangement lasted
Until July l, 1878, when all the powerg and
luties of the police board were trans I
erred to the District Commissioners, who !
we're authorized to make all necessary
'ules and regulations governing the depart
nent
History of the Original Force
The police force as originally constituted c
vas composed of one superintendent. ten t
twenty roundsmen and $50 pri- {
'ates. Since then changes have taken place I
rom time to time. the force being gradu- !
lily increased to its present size In 1885 S
he force consisted OF 2G2 men. one super \
one captain, ten lieutenants,
wenty sergeants, ninety privates OF class 4
and 40 OF class 2. I
The records of the department show that /
n the earlier years of the existence of the
orce there was one patrolmsn to 1G2 of d
he popula ton while at the present time I
here is one patrolman to l 500. As time n
asses greater and greater demands are a
nade upon the police force, particularly r
n the centre Of the city and in portions :
fhjch shelter the iawless element There =
ore it is not possible TO so post the force
hat all parts of the District shall be pro.
ected equally, was approximately true !,
n the beginning.
IN closing the interview with Major Syl- 5
ester in which he talked about the force ]
nder his charge he said he wanted moth =
ng more than was granted In other cities
n the way of men and appliances. but
hose, he said, he was very much in
arrest in obtaining