Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-02
Police
force.


department. inconsistencies prevail IN
der existing regulations, which make it
manifestly proper that the directing au-
thority should be concentrated to avoid
possible confusion and enable the conduct
ing of a day and night service in and about
the river front.
House of detention-The good results ac-
complished through the establishment Of
the house Of detention are apparent to any
one who has given attention to the humane
treatment of prisoners and the efforts to
segregate juvenile offenders from hardened
criminals. For two years this establish
ment has been conducted on limited ap-
preparation $4,000, made in lump sum.
There was small deficiency In the amount
expended last year, which would have been
greater had it not been avoided by sacrific-
ing the police to this service. An itemized
estimate of expenses Is submitted by the
police department, being based on two
years experience in the conducting of this
adjunct, and it is respectfully urged that
appropriation be made hereafter as recon-
mended.
Bailiffs at Police. Court-The practice
which has been in vogue many years. Of
maintaining balliffs at the Police Court
guards at the workhouse and Watchmen at
the District building at the expense Of the
police force Is to be deprecated as out OF
line with economy and detrimental to the
depe rtment Bailiffs, guards and watch
men could be employed for less compensa-
members Of the force could be assigned to
their legitimate calling. This condition
does not prevail in other jurisdictions and
should be remedied here.
Improvement In the service-The Inv
enacted in 1902 for the Improvement of the
force and securing tenure of office during
the good behavior Of the members thereof
has materially benefited the department.
Appointments are restricted to those who
pass the physical and civil service test. and
merltorious conduct and qualifications are
made the basis for promotions A change
In the working hours, whereby members
OF the force are enabled to have more regu-
lar meals and rest, Is now in practice as an
experiment, its adoption being dependent
upon Improvement in the mental and physi-
cal condition Of the men. te-
Criminal entification.-Through the eff
1orts or the major and superintendent Of
police. the District Of Columbia is now the
custodian Of the national bureau of crimt-
nal Identification. which Is supported by
the several leading cities of the country
ana winch 1t is hoped may be made national
In fact by the passage Of a measure looking
to that end now pending in Congress.
The Commissioners note with plea sure the
election OF the superintendent of the Dis
trict Of Columbia police force to the presi-
dency OF the International Police Associa-
ton at its annual session held in Louisville,
KY, in May last.
Electrical Department.
new type of inclosed arc lamp has been
substituted for the open lamps heretofore
maintained by the lighting companies, re-
sulting in an improved service both In the
steadiness Of the light and in the number
of lamps out.
Inc total number Of lamps Of all kinds
mas peen increased during the year by 372
BY an act of Congress approved June 20.
leo2, the telephone situation was greatly
relieved. Under the terms of this act the
company is permitted to extend its under
ground system and to make use of its
overhead overhead nnes Tor house connections. 1t is
iurther required to remove its overhead
nnes within certain prescribed area. 1t
has made good progress in this work
Inc cables OF the fire alarm and police
telephone service were extended by the ad-
dition OF 4.176 miles of cables laid princi-
pally In the ducts of the Chesapeake and
Potomac Telephone Company. Seven fire
alarm boxes, nine patrol boxes and six
ouIolhgs were connected to these cables.
The telephone switchboard facilities at
fire alarm headquarters were Increased hv
the addition Of a separate board for the
telephones connecting the fire engine houses
ana oy the employment of an additional
operator during the busy hours tof the day
Fifty-six fire alarm boxes were added. Of
winch eight were purchased and Installed
for private parties without cost to the Dis
trict. ~ ~
Twelve police patrol boxes were added In
the various precincts, and three new cir
cults built for the new tenth precinct Spe-
cial attention is invited to the report of the
electrical engineer regarding the condition
OF some OF the patrol circuits and boxes.
II Is urgently recommended that the neces-
sary money for improving this service be
appropriated.
Special inspection Of theaters and hotels
HOhder instruction of the Commissioners
the electrical department undertook the in
spection OF the electric wiring and appa-
ratus in the theaters and hotels, in con-
junction with the fire department and the
once OF the inspector of buildings. This
work was carried on without additional as
sistance until the regular work of the de-
partment increased TO such an extent that
1t was suspended. With a few exceptions
the changes recommended by the depart
ment We're made, resulting in greatly less
ening the danger of fire from defective
wiring. Much remains, however to be
done. Seven theaters, sixty-four hotels and
forty-six miscellaneous buildings were In
spected.
Changes In salaries of per diem officials
II is again earnestly requested that the per
diem employees of the electrical depart
m me be placed upon the annual roll. OF
now on the annual roll, while eighteen are
carried on the per diem rolls In making
this very desirable change no increases In
salary are asked; in fact, there will be an
actual reduction of $851 per annum from
the amounts now paid. mi
&AAS department..
The report Of the chief Of the fire depart
ment for the fiscal year ended June 80.
1902, states that the fire loss during that
period, $134, 5O4, was the smallest IN twelve
years, and less than one-half that Of the
year previous. The most disastrous fire of
the year occurred April -, 1902, on the
river front. every steam engine and truck
company being for time engaged there.
This fire not only endangered for a time
practically the whole river front, but 1t
also demonstrated the weakness of the de-
partment's reserve force, the only COM
panies In reserve for time being the four
chemical companies, upon which the rest
of the District was forced to rely for pro-
lection against fire. A like situation oc-
Cured the same evening, third alarm be-
ing sent in for fire in the western section
Of the city of Washington when a number
of the companies were still engaged at the
river-front fire and the others were on the
streets returning to quarters. Had this
third-alarm fire occurred when all but the
chemical companies We're engaged at the
river-front fire most disastrous conflagra-s
ton would have resulted and had fire
taken place in one of the theaters hotels or
in one of the hospitals or charitable insti-
tutions when the department was so weak
ened 1t would have been a physical impos-
sibility to have prevented the loss of many
lives and much valuable property. The
fire department therefore recommends and
the Commissioners approve of such an en-
laTgement OF the dre-fghtiDg force and