The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-14
LOCAL POLICE ACTIVITY.
Propositions for Handling Crowds
soon to Come to the. Cftv.

I'm police circles the announcement Of
President Mcl(inley's death was accom-
panied by an undercurrent of activity
that betokened busy times TO come. In
the early part of the evening last night
when the bulletins from Buffalo made it
evident that the death Of the Executive
was bat the matter of a few hours. Major
Sylvester visited Police Headquarters and
began preparations for whatever situa-
ton his department might be called upon
70 meet He was soon joined by the mem
beers OF his staff with whom he conferred
for several hours
All Of the members Of the Detective
Corps were detailed along Pennsylvania
Avenue 10 mingle with the crowds about
the bulletin boards and protect them from
the criminal classes. As an evidence Of
the excellence OF their work the books
show that UP to this morning not a single
report had been made Of a pocket being
picked Major Sylvester also ordered out
q portion Of the reserves from each pre-
cinct and placed them on duty in the busy
downtown district. These men remained
on duty until after the death Of the Presi-
dent was announced and the crowds had
dwiudIed away.
The detectives were ordered 10 report 20
headquarters hourly ny telephone. and
thus kept in constant touch with the CEN
trail bureau shortly after 9 O'Clock Cap
tain BoaTdman left his Office and made
the rounds Of the bulletin boards
Finding everything quiet and or
derby. he 50 reported to Major
Sylvester. and then went home Tor
the night A snort time afterwards Ma
jor Sylvester left for his home. but the
real work OF the night was not under
L..
closed upon him. There We're 10 lights at
his windows and there were no evidences
Of life within. Despite this. however. all
was activity within. Major Sylvester per
sonaliy called Up each statiOahOuse and
acquainted himself with the exact condi-
ton in each precinct
He enquired as TO the condition Of the
men who were on tine sick list. and which
OF them could be called upon in case Of
emergency He asked as 70 the number
Of ropes available AT each station for
IoplnE 81 streets, and many other minor
or lallS lndt hhd escaped the attention OF
iAe Heutenants and their assistants
Mayor sylvester knew that tn+ rIarfDr
or the Presidents body IN state at the
capitol and the reasSembliug of CONGRESS
would bring vast crowds and uauv crauI,s
ana ne was determined to be prepared for
cyeutualitits.
IL was well on 20 the small hours Of
I'M Al'i uluE before ne laid down 10 So
cure "a short rest but was almost iTnua-
uiaIely aroused by the ringing Of his teIe-
phone bell It was then shortly before
-.-p clock and the message informed him
OF the president death. He Immediately
revoked the leaves Of absence of an mem
Ders Of the department and directed thai
the Idgs upon All police buildings be DIaC-
"a at haif mast Up 10 an early hour
this afternoon he had not been Informed
as 10 when the President body would De-
Drought I" TINS city or what would be ex-
pected Of his department While his ar
engagements are well under way they ca n
not De completed until he is advised of the
funeral arrangements If he considers IL
necessary ne viii draw upon the ern4rg-
eucy FUND for the employment Of detect
ives from other cities To assist the local
men IN handling the crowds that are sure
10 come 10 the city 10 the funeral
Major Sylvester hopes to be able 20
avoid the employment of outside men as
II WI involve a deficiency in the emeg-
Cncy iund. which has already been bes,y--
lily drawn upon The Heutenants 49,.
various precincts assembled at hea
tiers this morning but nothing
was determined upon