Sunday Washington globe., 1902-06-15
Sincerely and respectfully,
RAYMOND ON PLAGMEN.
Opposes Senate Bill 20 Abolish Cross
ing Policemen.

WASHINGTON, d. c., /uae ~, 1902.
y. s. Senate Committee Of The District Of
Columbia,
GENTLEMEN: As one with an eye single to
the interests of the District Of Columbia !
wish to enter my most solemn protest
against Senate bill 6oo2 to substitute flag
men for crossing policemen, and in doing
50 feel that I sound the sentiment of the
general public in behalf of an institution
from which they are deriving benefits that
are beyond all calculation.
Indeed, gentlemen, the bill Is not only
unworthy of bearing the name of the
worthy Senator who introduced it, but its
enactment into law would be glaring act
of injustice and ingratitude towards these
policemen who have become proficient in
their duties and who have rendered praise.
worthy service, which we have had reason
to believe have not been appreciated by the
Congress as it should be.
1t is an institution gentlemen, that is not
only an honor to Senator German, it's founder
but one worthy of imitation by the authori-
ties of every large city throughout the
world, and, / might add incidentally, that
speak from world wide observation and not
as a countryman. Aside from accidents
NANHNAAIat PQbllN QEnEAA5 anu DIOLEELOu
derived from their services in ways too
numerous to mention they save citizens as
we'll as visitors to the National Capital
many thousands of dollars annually, more
than the cost Of their maintenance, by
putting them onto cars by which they reach
their destination on one fare, instead of be-
ing legally robbed of two or three fares for
going the same distance.
In addition to these advantages the public
have protection from corporation imposi-
ton in cases Of accidents through these
policemen, which they will not have if
Aagmeu are substituted for them, as they
would be biased in testifying through fear
OF dismissal for swearing TO anything detri-
mental to the companys interests.
The companies no doubt keenly appre-
ciate the disadvantages of the present sys-
tenn to the high-minded manner in which
they would carry on in case it is abolished
for hagmen, a system so antiquated and
ridiculous that Mr.. Mcmillan might with
an equal display of judgment introduce a
bill compelling the companies to run its
passengers in wheel barrows instead Of
modern cars.
This nefarious bill gentlemen is the sequel
to Major Sylvester's bitter opposition to
bills for the betterment of the conditions Of
crossing policemen, the grinding down Of
their privileges, the placing Of FOOLS caps
upon them and various other demoralizing
acts to distinguish between them and regu-
lar policemen to bring them into disrepute.
It also makes clear to the public why he has
been furnished special car to take him and
his friends upon fishing excursions as we'll
as why he has been given books Of annual
passes for himself and friends over the diff
ferent lines.
Here it is fitting to remark that Major
Sylvester Is a man for the Congress as well
as the public to watch, for it is evident that
what strings he does not pull for bis own
interest are not worth pulling. No wonder
he is nick-named King Takeoh," for his
desire to pay policemeu's funerals, his
compelling those under his command to
pay s4 for shirts fairly valued at so cents
each, his compelling subordinates to pay
ST. over the contract price for dress coats
that local manufacturers offered to furnish
at 81 below the price given by those who
we're awarded the contract and to be made
up of material worth so cents per yard
more, is creating the suspicion, that like a
huge vulture he Is fatteuing upon the
prostrate, the dying, and the dead"
Il would be better, yes, far better, gentle
men, to enact into law a bill making the
District pay the cost Of maintaining the
crossing policemen than to abolish sys-
TEN that might come home to you in the
way Of death or broken limbs to loved ones
as punishment for perpetratiug such an out
rage upon this community.
Sincerely and respectfully
A. NJ. RAYMOND artist
700 Seventeenth street northeast.