Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16

by Representative ]. II. Davidson. This
paper was established by George Peck or
Wisconsin, the author of Peck Bad Boy
! Lieutenant Lincoln is a native of Vermont.
having been born near Burlington thirty
three years ago. He is still doing news
paper work. furnishing Washington cor
respondence for Wisconsin papers.
George A. Rahm, clerk of the police
board, was born in Louisville, KY, Sep
rember II, 1888, and removed to southern
Illinois and thence to Pittsburg, Pa, where
he received his education. He removed to
Philadelphia in 1889. In May. 1860. he en-
listed in the City Grays, a military COM
pany organized in Philadelphia for duty in
contingent service during the exciting times
preceding the civil! war. The company was
composed of picked men employed by the
banks of the city and included num-
Der of men who subsequently became
famous soldiers and financiers. When
the Pennsylvania militia was formed for
active service the City Grays was en-
bra ced in the 9th Regiment as Company
c, Captain, afterwards General B. G. Bar
ney. Major General A. j. Pleasanton COM
manded the state troops who on many oc-
casions during the war responded to the
call of the general government for rein
forcements.
In 1882 Mr.. Rahm came to Washington.
the home of his wife's family and was
employed in the mint bureau of the
Treasury Department. In 1891 he received
an appointment on the Capitol police force
upon his return from Idaho, where he held
q government POSITION anu was lOGnllI6u
with several valuable mining interests.
which he still retains.
Well-Informed Official
Clerk Rahm is regarded one of the
most valued officers of the Capitol force.
He Is veritable encyclopedia of police
matters and keeps all the records of the
board and the force. In defining the Capt.
oil force in a nutshell, Mr.. Rahm says:
1.-The United States Capitol po ce is a
orce of men appointed by Congress to
,uard the Capitol bui ding and grounds and
-nforce the laws. rules and regulations gov
erning them.
The personnel OF the force comprises
captain, three lieutenants, three serge ants,
a clerk and seventy-three privateS.
There are three grades of salaries. BIT
the duties are the same for men Of the diff
ferent grades. This may be rectified by ac-
ton of the appropriations committee as the
Capitol police board fayors such action"
The sergeant-at-arms of the Senate and
the sergeant-af-arms OF the House Jointly
appoint the police. The grades Of salaries
received by these police are $500 $500 and
81. 100 per annum, and all ren-er the same
amount and class of service. The two ser
geants-at-arms have recommended that
Congress make an equalization of these
salaries.
A few years ago there were no uniformed
policemen In the Capt. OF parks. The gro ndS
were patrolled indlffer ntly dur ng the day
out uniforms. These wa chm n W. re main
aged men. unable for the arduous duty, and
many complaints were made Of hold-ups
and other outrages parpetrated in those
reservations.
Now the parks are pa roi ed night and day
by armed and uniformed pc icemen. and re-
Gently Capt. Megrew org ,nizad a bicycle
squad for duty in the Capitol parks to PEE
vent bicycle riders, altom bill SITS and 9TH
ers from violating the sp ed Limit viii
passing through the reservations about this
buildings
The Detective Corps.
Another recent Innovation on the force
was the forming OF detective corps. Mr.
Fred N. Webber Ii one of these plain
clothes Capitol guardians. and the skillful
work he has done has attracted much ia
yorabie attention
The police serve In three reiiefs Of twelve
hours each, With twenty-four hours on.
Capt Megrew has reorganized the force
ON military basis and introduced new
methods OF patrolling the building and
grounds. Among other things he has chang
ed the style of Uniform. The men formerly
were long Prince Albert coats. covered with
cCnspicuous brass buttons. They now
wear natty regulation army frock coats,
devoid OF fancy trimmings The uniforms
are dark navy blue, with fine oyercoats like
those worn Ia the regular army and a cap
Of to sane eelor with small visor. Each