Evening star., 1901-08-13
POLICE ESTIMATES
Major Sylvester's Annual Statement
Submitted Today.
TEE AGGREGATE AMOUNTS TO $0o6, S25
Explanation Made Of the Various
Items Of Increase.
ADVANCE IN SALARIES

Maj. Richard Sylvester superintendent
of the metropolitan police department to-
day submitted to the Commissioners his
estimates of the amount necessary to be
appropriated for the support of the service
for the fiscal year ending June so, 1905
Accompanying the estimates is an eXplana-
tlon of the items, which is rs follows:
After a period of thirty years, during
which time there wds no departure from
the original organization of the metropolt-
tan police force in the District of Column
bia and in which time the various features
of the social and business conditions, to
say nothing of the government institutions
underwent great changes, incident to ad-
vancement and progress everywhere anu
along all lines, 1t was deemed exped1ent
to rearrange and repair the system, so as
to make it in a measure at least competent
to meet the general development and
changes
During the last session of Congress wise
provision was made for many of these, yet
there remains much to be done before the
department will be improved to Such extern
as will make it what it should be at the
capital of the United States-the modet FOR
all others.
For years the major and superintendent
was taxed with many details, not few or
which partook of clerical character until
his legitimate work was so encroached
upon as to impair his usefulness IN many
ways as the executive officer of the de-
partment Minor matters of detail ab-
sorbed so much of his time as to absolutely
prevent him from giving that attention 20
more important duties, so important 10 the
proper working of a large body of men en-
gagged in the prevention and detection OF
crime.
Aids Provided.
by law approved February 2S 1901.
captain and assistant superintendent was
provided, who has been assigned to the SUI
pervision of the most important auxiliary
connected with the department-the detec-
tive bureau-for the proper and successful
conduct Of which the major and superin-
tendent is held responsible in this JuriSdlc-
tion. The wisdom of this assignment can
not be questioned when it Is understood
that the official in charge thereof Is the
closest IN business relationship and rank
with the major and superintendent Upon
such representative rests the responsible
ty Of dividing the work involved in the re-
duction of crime and the apprehension OF
criminals.
Formerly an inspector of the force eX-
ercised this authority, and he was usually
one of the lieutenants. A closer comnun-
ion and therefore a procedure on one line
of policy is now effected. The captain and
assistant superintendent possesses that au-
thority in law which secures for him the
respect of the command Immediately in
hand and of the whole force If necessary.
In the conduct of the secret service he
gives it impetus and intelligent action
which an officer of lower rank and author
ity could not be expected to give. The re-
suit is Improvement. In the absence of the
major and superintendent. through leave
or sickness, he becomes the acting head of
the department. and having been selected
from the ranks, that official is enabled to
properly superintend the detective branch
as well as the force
He must possess peculiar and many
qualifications, give his time night and day
- N n hn SfrIdn ont nv,6 q
director, possess firmneSs and ready ca
pacity for the solution of delicate prob
lens. be honest and fair, respectful and
willing. kind and strong read human ma
ture in its many phases know the law of
his own and other Jurisdictions, have a full
knowledge of his men and properly assign
cases committed to his charge. and much
more, for the inadequate compensation of
81 year. 1t is unreasonable to
ask so much for so little. and Is not in
keeping with what would be the action of
tion. In submitting these estimates have
recommended that the salary be made at
least 5000.
Pay of Captains.
THE next item Of increase relates to the
pay of the captains. These officers prior
to the enactment of the law approved Feb
ruary %, 1901, and in the last appropriation
act. were provided for as lieutenant inspec-
tors at 81. 500 per annum. There are four
OF them now. and. il 1t should become nec-
essary some day to call out the entire Do
lice force of the District. one captain would
command 1JO priyateS, which. to any one
familiar with organization. appears reck-
less and inexpedient. No captain could be
expected to manipulate the proper working
or more than 100, so that If the department
is provided with another official of such
rank 1t will merely adjust the organization.
one captain is now employed mounted,
TO visit all the station houses in the Dis
q haf hnr -
ness, signal system. supplies of all kinds
buildings equipments, uniforms and prop
erty requirements are maintained as they
should be; TO inspect uniforms and he'll
NETS as to make and wear. to preside at
court-martial hearings and to cover all
matters by proper written reports.
TWO captains exercise daily and nightly
supervision over two police districts, each
containing five precincts. They transmit
and return to the several stations in their
respective districts all official reports ema-
mating from headquarters. all orders of the
major ana superintendent, inspect the sta
uons and enforce economy In the use of
materials and gas, reduce forage and laun-
dry bills, See that the records are kept in
accordance with law, inquire into and OBJ
serve the demeanor of the members of the
force, keep up an Interchange between the
major and superintendent and the COM
maHding officials of the ten precinct STA
tions, compose membership in court t-mar-
ttai cases. make recommendations for the
Improvement of the force, inspect drill and
target pTacllce, WISH 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 superintendent, In making de-
ta.s and assignment of members of the
force. in hearing and investigating COM
plants of all kinds. receiving the public
summarizing reports. inspecting and pass
Ing on requisitions for supplies and i'm
proyements. correcting deficiencies report
ed by the District captains, and exercising
general duties inside and outside of head
quarters and in keeping the major 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
An-NiGhf Service.
Il recommend that one more captain he
provided for all-night service at police
headquarters. to supervise the detective
branch as well as the office Of the major
and superintendent, and that the nav of
the captains be raised from 81. 500 to 81, 500
year.
THE remuneration Of three stenographers
who are classed as clerks should be at
least 500 each One OF them now receives
this compensation while two of them get