The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-08-18


been done When II is considered that
said duties take the HarDcSmasteT
force TO every part of q very extensive
river front, and even TO distant points
in the adjoining States of Maryland and
Virginia. it viii readily be seen that The
demands made upon this department are
such as 10 tax it 10 its utmost capac-
ity-
Ice N the Potomac
After calling the attention OF the Com
missioners to his official report to the
Major and Superintendent of Police, and
acknowledging his Indebtedness for CO.
operation from Major Sylvester, Mr. Sut-
ton continues;
During the past winter the depart
ment was again called upon to clear the
Potomac river Of ice and so prevent the
flooding OF the lower sections OF the city,
which would have followed the lorna
ton Of iC5 g0Tges al the forks OF the
channel and at the Long Bridge. and in
a letter to your honorable body dated
February Il, 1902, ] invited attention 10
the necessity for securing an appropria-
ton OF s. 600 to be used for that pur
pose This appropria ton was secured
in a comparatively short time, owing TO
the prompt and efficient action taken by
you upon the request submitted, and b
the most vigorous and continuous ef-
fort. what would undoubtedly have
proven a most disastrous flooding Of part
Of the city vas aveTted.
In attempting to use the hETboT pO-
lice boat Vigilant it was found that her
wheel was too light for the heavy work
required, being first bent and finally
broken There has been extended in
fitting her with an ice pillow. new wheel
and repairing ether damages sustained
By her hull and machinery IN encoun-
Iering the heavy ice. together with the
cost Of inspectors, The sum Of SSsS. ~.
making a total expenditure of 81, 435. -
cut Of the appropriation OF 5000.
A Standing Appropriation.
IN view o. the frequent need for Sc
curing an appropriation for this pur-
pose I an OF the opinion that it would
be desirable for your honorable body
to include in your annual estimates OF
appropriations al item of 5000 to be
known as an emergency fund for the
breaking up Of ice on the Potomac
River. 90 as to prevent the flooding Of
the foweT sections Of the city. which in
variahIy follows the formation OF ice
E6rses n the river IF this approprIa-
tion were 50 provided the work could be
done more economically and in a more
leisurely manner. whereas. under the
present practice of waiting until dan
ger actually threatens, additional ex-
pense is entailed. the work must be
done hurriedIy and under q great strain.
anG the urgency or the situation renders
necessary the continued presence at the
river front OF the HaFbormaster and
his force With such a fund available
~ any time. preparations for averting
. threatened food could be came more
thoroughly and completely AID at less
expense than is now required
Mooring of Vessels.
During the year just ended it has
been necessary to order I76 vessels to
move from the wharTes and 10 appro-
pirate anchorage grounds as marked by
the buoys- No difficulty was experience
ed IN securing compliance with said or
ders
There have been detailed for ser
vice IN this department during the en-
tice fiscal year four privates of the
Metropolitan Police force, each OF
whom Is paid 81 .0S0 per snnum- None
Of the employees Of the department have
been detailed TO any other Office or de-
p2rtment for any period whatever.
No Oyersesrs. inspectors. or other
employees OF the department have been
engaged in the performance Of clerical
duties, or Of any other service but such
as pertains solely and properly TO the
positions 70 which they were appointed. I
Following is a statement Of the ex-
penditures OF the department during
the last fiscal year: Engineer, al $65 /
Fer month $3.50; Waterman. at $50 per
month $3.50; deckhand. at $50 per
months, 500; fireman, ten months at
SIS per month. $3.50; extra deckband. at /
SO per month. ten days in each month (
S120; insurance on and repairs to Of 4
fee. wharf and boat; fuel. oils. paints (
brushes. waste. and other miscelIane- /
Gus expenses. 81 go. Total, $1,000
Larger Salary Desired
After calling attention to the report Of I
The Superintendent of Police for tho fs-
cal year ended June 20. 1901, recon
mending an increase in the salary o. I
The Harbormsster. and that he be made .
q captain Of police, Mr.. Sutton says:
The legislation necessary to secure