The Washington times., 1901-08-14

| meanor of the members of the force, keer
| up an interchange between the Major and
| Superintendent and the commanding off,
| Gals of the ten precinct stations, COM
| pose membership in court-martial cases
make recommendations for the improve
| ment of the force, inspect drill and tar
| get practice, visit the beats of the pri-
| Yates at unexpected hours, attend fires
and assist at miscellaneous duties.
The fourth captain is constantly en-
| gagged in promulgating the orders of the
Major and Superlntc ndent, in making de-
tails and assignment of members of the
force. in hearing and investigating COM
plants of all kinds. receiving me public,
summarizing reports inSpC citing and pass
provements. correcting deficiencies re
ported by the District captains, and ex-
ercsing general duties inside and outside
of headquarters. and in keeping the Ma
jor and Superintendent in constant touch
with the details as reported to and from
the ten precinct stations. He must also
act in court-martial hearings.
Il recommend that one more captain
be provided for all-night service at Po-
lice Headquarters, to supervise the de-
tective branch as well as the office of the
Major and Superintendent, and that the
pay of the captains be raised from $500
to 81. 500 year.
The remuneration of three stenograph-
ers who are classed as clerks should be
at least $500 each. One of them now re-
ceives this compensation, while two of
them get but S12D Their office hours are
from until 5 o'clock, exceeding those of
the Government clerk. and they are con-
stantly employed, including Sundays and
holidays, and / feel confident the small
increase urged would be granted readily
We're the situation fully understood.
The pay of the police and fire depart
ment surgeons should be increased, and
the increase recommended is more than
earned, when it is realized that there are
over 500 men who require their services
during the year. In addition to visiting
N Is n
examine all applicants for both branches
of the service. Seven hundred and twen-
ty dollars would be fair compensation for
the service required.
Sixteen privates, selected for their spe-
cial qualifications, are detailed as detec-
tives: Fourteen of these receive an ex
ira allowance of $40 a year. 1t is but
just that the same pay should be provided
for the other two. These men incur many
minor expenses in connection with their
work, which they iquidate from their
private funds, through their desire to sue
coed in cases they may be handling, and
all should be accorded equal means for
the increased draft on their resources,
which are limited in any instance. The
continued petty thieving incident to this
jurisdiction requires a strong and yea
lous detective service and every encoG--
aging facility should be accorded IL for
ready and successful action
The salaries of the several police lieu
tenants are 81, 800 each a year, and they
have not been advanced for about fifteen
years. while their duties have increased
in every way. Doubled commands. police
regulations to enforce and twice the de-
mands upon their time, energy, and INTEL
ligence that formerly prevailed. Fifteen
hundred dollars would be more in keeping
with just return for the labor performed
and the same proposition holds good as to
the sergeants who have not realized be-
yond the original pay awarded more than
a score OF years ago. They are now paid
sl140. which should be an even $500
Many years ago the law-making pow
ers established two classes of policemen.
the first known as privates of class l.
the second as 'privates of class g. The
former class was established as a proba-
ton number, at compensation of $500 per
annum and the number of them was in
such proportion to those to class q who
are paid 1,0s0 a year, that after a ser.
vice of two years they could be advanced
TO the higher grade of pay. Practicing a
supposed plan of economy each year
when the force was increased
the additional numbers were of class /
SO that now the original pro-
portion is badly broken and a private of
class l does not earn his advancement
until he has served as such for about ten
years. Such provision has year by year
served as a menace TO the best service
discouraging those who have faithfully
abored and coveted the advancement
which was in the first place allotted to
come after two years satisfactory service
The 1900 man is required to labor just as
long, do as much, and grows older all
II,
must stand the discrimination. Owing to
The limited force 1t is necessary to oper-
ate the six-hour change, that is, on duty |
six hours on reserve six hours, again on |
duty six hours, so that from twelve to |
eighteen hours work is required of the |
members of the force out of twenty-four |
Il is not to be wondered at that members |
If the force want eight hours provided as |
day S work. and nearly half of the force |
receiving SIS month more pay than the |
others. Such condition is not conducive |
@ the best results. There mGst be unrest !
I not open criticism.
Expecting a retarn to the probation |
period Of two years and then advance
nent TO follow, these faithful public ser
ANTS look TO me as their spokesman to |
irge consideration of this matter, and / |
hink it only fair that the apparent dis
Elimination should be remedied and that |
90 of the 'privates of class should be
lwarded the increase from $500 to S1OS0 |
| year. which would restore the plan or
ginally provided by Congress and carry
With it that encouragement to the young
md active man who expects to win his
way by honest endeavor.
Two more desk sergoantS will be re-
Iuired for the substation at Tenleytown-
me for day and one for night employ
nent. These employees were known in the
asst appropriation bill as station keep
rs, but the act approved February Is
9Ol, made them desk sergeants. in order
Turing the absence OF the lieutenant or
ergeant. and that an officer empowered
o accept collateral might always be in at
enhance. They have many and varied
uties of a police and clerical character
o perform, which i will more fully ex-
lain in supplemental report. They are
N duty twelve hours each, and now re-
GIVE $40 year. AS their duties are in
reased and they have become members
4 the force to all intents and purposes.
g well as being clerks, their pay should
e advanced from what it was years ago
o 3l.OSU per annum, which l sincerely |
ope may be done.
Two more laborers are asked for Zone
o have charge of the work at the Ten
aytown station, one al the sub-station at |
.nacostia), and recommend that the sal
ry of the laborers in this department be
Xed at $500
Favorable action was had upon the
commentator of your Major and SUI
last year that an appropria-
ion of $50 each per annum be allowed as
Mounted service to that number of pri-
ates of the force riding bicycles. Under