Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-13
TOTAL OF $958,525
INCREASE IN SALARIES OF CAP
TAINS AND LIEUTENANTS.
Sergeants Also Advanced a Peg-Ad-
ditional Compensation to Detec-
tives-S25, 900 for Repairs.

Richard Sylvester, chief of police, has for
| warded to the Commissioners his estimate
of the amount required for the conduct and
| support of the metropolitan police depart
| ment during the fiscal year beginning July
| l next. He asks for a total of $95S, 525 as
! against 1888 765 appropriated for the cur
| rent year. This increase would provide for
| the addition of number Of policemen to
| the force an increase in the pay of certain
| Of the officers, and a central police station
| to take the place of the first precinct sta
| ton house ON 18th street opposite the post
| office.
An increase from 81 800 to $1,000 a year
| is asked for the assistant superintendent Of
! the department. An increase from 81 800 to
| ST 800 a year is asked for the four captains
! of police and a fifth captain Is requested.
| Il is stated that February 2S 1901, law
| was approved providing for captains of the
| force, who paid $1,000 per annum, which
| is the same pay they have received Tor
years past. They exercise a daily ana nlSnt-
| ly supervision over the police districts,
| transmit and return to the stations In their
respective districts reports emanating from
headquarters and orders of the major ana
| superintendent inspect the stations and en-
force economy in the use of gas, forage and
| supplies, that the records are Kept In
| accordance with law, inquire into ana OBJ
serve the demeanor of members or the
force serve as members of courts martial,
| inspect drills and target practice, visit the
| beats of the privates at unexpected hours,
attend fires, and assist in all matters per-
| tanning to this branch of the service.
In providing another captain the depart
| ment will be enabled to have officer In
! charge of the detective bureau at night who
| has the proper rank. At the present time
| this work is being performed by a ser
geant.
The official in charge at night represents
| the major and superintendent and must
| answer all questions and respond to all de-
| mands made by the public throughout those
| hours,
For the Lieutenants.
An increase from 81 800 to 81 500 a year
| is asked for the ten neutenants of the
force. Conditions. it is said, have changed
| in the District over what they were years
| ago. and these officers have received no adj
| ditional compensation. The work of the de-
partment has enlarged from year to year,
| the force has been increased, more numer-
Gus laws and regulations have to be en-
forced. and the many details attaching to
the service of this kind make it only fair
and reasonable that these officers should
receive the additional compensation asked
for.
Ten additional sergeants asked for
as well as a provision to make ten acting
sergeants full sergeants. This would make
|
their pay be increased from 81 40 to 81 200
q year.
An increase of 30 privates Of class 1 Is
requested. bringing the total Of s90O-a-year
men I'D to $50. This increase Is asked for
in response to the appeals of the citizens
in the fifth. seventh. ninth and tenth pre-
cincts. which are the outlying precincts,
and which at the present time are not suffi-
GENTLY policed.
Increase in Force.
An increase of 80 privates of class 2-the
81 $50 mems also requested. At the pres
ent time there are $40 privates of this class.
The reason for this increase is above
stated-there being not a sufficient patrol
| in the outlying precincts of the District of
Columbia.
The area to be patroHed is nearly 20
square miles. A 800 acres, with a total
police force of 800 privates, which force is
very materially reduced when details to the
Police Court tax office, workhouse. pound
service. patrol steamer, license inspector
house Of detention. hack inspector, guard
with prisoners van, Emergency Hospital,
disbursing office. District building, detec-
tive bureau. tax office and the bathing
beach are subtracted.
The sum of 81 800 is requested as addi-
tional compensation for 20 privates assign
ed as detectives. This is increase from
1880. now appropriated. and will permit
of the assignment of six additional men, IA
now being thus detailed. In recommending
this increase the chief Of police saws that
when 1t is taken into consideration that at
the seat OF government resides the chief
executive and his cabinet diplomats from
foreign countries and leading men from all
parts of the United States besides impor.
tant government property interests to look
after. 1t borders on the ludicrouS to feel
that proper protection can be afforded by
SO small a detective force as has been en-
ployed here for a number of years.
Desk Sergeants' Pay.
Among other things requested in the esti-
mates are increases for the twenty-four
desk sergeants from $40 to S1,OsO a year;
increases for the four police and fire sur
geons from $40 to s72O a year; increases
for thirteen laborers from. $40 to 5000 a
year; increases for twenty-four drivers
from $40 to 5000 a year; two police ma
irons at 5000 year, and the usual appro-
priations for horses. rent of substation in
Anacostia, $1,000 for repairs to stations,
and $4,000 for contingent expenses
For the purchase of lot and the erec-
ton of a central police station in the first
precinct the sum of 500 800 Is requested
The chief says 1t is an unfortunate COM
mentary on the police arrangements of the
District of Columbia that so deplo-able a
condition should be permitted to exist as in
the first precinct station, the primary dis
trict in point OF police business. The house
stands within the shadow of the new city
post office Pennsylvania avenue where
1t was erected years ago after a founda ton
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 domicue 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 as foil ows:
Effects Of Disease
Strong and hardy members of the force
have suceumbed to disease by reason Of
having to make this building a quarters.
Malaria. typhoid fever and kindred trou-
bles have resulted from officers being quar-
tered there. A modern station should be
erected to take its place. The government
should dispose Of the lot on which the pres
ent building stands and replace the station
with structure on elevated ground. 1t
should be of such character as to not only
furnish a central station with all improve
ments and requirements, but be Of such pro-
portions as to afford room for police head
quarters.
There should be a drill hail. gymnasium.
bathing pool. and such contingents as con-
tribute to the health and strength of the
| men physically and mentally. Within few
years the rental now paid for a headquar-
tiers would repay the cost Of such a build
ing. 1t Is, indeed, lamentable to find cities
nf liar n tho Uyoc