Evening star., 1901-11-09
Review and Recommendations in
Major Sylvester's Report.
FINE RECORD UNDER DIFFICULTIES
Necessity for Increase and Re-
arrangement of System.
SOME LAWS S GGEST ED

Major Richard Sylvester, superintendent
of police, today submitted his annual re-
port to the District Commissioners. The
report is supplemented by the police esti-
mates, which were first submitted to the
Commissioners last summer and have al
ready been acted upon. urging material
increase in the force. Major Sylvester, first
of all. details the working Of the new per-
sonnel law which was passed by Congress
February Is. 1901, and which became ef-
fective May II. 1901. Some. weeks later
Captain NJ. A. Austin, who was also as
sistant superintendent, was retired, and
Captain Boardman, who was chief Of the
detective bureau. was promoted to be cap
tain and assistant superintendent. Speak
ing of the wisdom of this course and the
Importance of the detective branch of the
service, Major Sylvester says:
There is no municipality in the country
where social conditions are identical with
those of the District of Columbia, or where
the labors of the police have been rewarded
with greater success Other cities have re-
has had none escape during the present
administration of police affairs
THE detective bureau is the most i'm
portant auxiliary of the department, and
hours of duty, but should always be ac-
cessble and on the alert He is a all times
in close communication with the superin-
tendent of the department. who must rely
principally upon him in the pursuit of ex-
perienced criminals The laws applicable
in delicate as well as in ordinary cases
must be at his tongues end, and he should
possess a general knowledge of the person.
mel and workings Of the department.
Detective Force Improving.
"In connection with this recognition Of
the secret service branch of the department
gress the privates of the force detailed as
detectives had conferred upon them the
rank of sergeants. and are now designated
detective sergeants. This authority enables
any one of them in time of emergency to
direct, by reason Of his rank, such assist
ance may be necessary from the rank
and file of the force.
LAS result the detective service Is i'm
proving. One difficulty for many years was
the want of familiarity on the part of local
detectives with professional criminals The
practice of sending officers to other cities
on occasions of ceremony of pursuing fugi-
tives to other jurisdictions and bringing
about closer relationship with detectives
therein is serving as education which tends
to advance the ability of the corps. A de-
tectfve is made by hard and difficult school
ing, and to succeed must be honest and
have all the advantages to familiarize him
self with criminal methods away from as
we'll as at home.
Some Imperative Needs.
az is important that In the near future
provision should be made,' continues the
report, "for at least two more captains, in
order that an adequate number of COM
manders may be had for the proposed force,
on the basis of 100 privates to a command
when 1t can be done consistently Two
police surgeons should be made members
of the superintendent's staff, who should
give all of their time and attention to the
members of the force, and, 1t is respectfully
submitted, the same arrangement could be
made for the fire department. The change
would justly entitle such appointees to the
privileges of members Of the force, and to
compensation equivalent to the labors of
such positions.
'The improvements made in motor
vehicles prompts the recommendation that
they should be adopted to use as patrol
wagons at an early day. Not being re-
quired to be in constant use from an
economical standpoint they would be an
Improvement, while time, the most import
ant item to be considered in a service where
life and property are at stake would be
saved In making response to calls.
Better Cells for Prisoners.
'"The cells and the corridors in which
they are located in station houses erected
years ago are antiquated and fly adapted
to the purposes for which they are en-
ployed. In order to afford prisoners humane
lated properly heated and admitting Of
unquestioned cleanliness, should be con-
structed in nine of the ten precinct station
houses, and in this connection a means es-
tabished for the entrance and delivery of
prisoners away from the public gaze
Central Station Asked For.
Major Sylvester, in recommending mod
ern central police station says:
1T is an unfortunate commentary on the
police arrangements of the District of Co.
lumbia that deplorable a condition
should be permitted to exist as in the first
precinct station, the primary district in
point of police business The house stands
within the shadow of the new city post
office on PENNSYLVANIA avenue, where 1t
was erected years ago, after a foundation
had been obtained by driving piles Dark,
damp, aged and contracted this building is
untitled for the temporary confinement OF
persons, much less for the domicile of the
members of the force, who must sleep there
when on reserve duty. This edifice has
been condemned in vigorous words by the
police surgeons, follows:
Strong and hardy members of the force
have succumbed to disease by reason of
having to make this building quarters
Malaria, typhoid fever and kindred
troubles have resulted from officers being
quartered there. A modern station should
be erected to take it's place. The govern
ment should dispose of the lot on which
the present building stands and replace the
station with structure on elevated ground.
1t should be of such character as to not
only furnish central station, with all i'm
provements and requirements, but be of
such proportions as to afford room for po-
lice headquarters.
There should be drill hall, gymnasium,
bathing pool and such contingents as con-
tribute to the health and strength of the
men physically and mentally. Within a few
years the rental now paid for headquar-
ters would repay the cost of such build
ing. 1t is indeed lamentable to find cities
of smaller growth than Washington wen