Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-17

pHcSiucHlS.
The report submitted by Maj Sylvester is
in part as follows:
ut is refreshing to observe that in most
Of the leading cities the heads Of the de-
partments and the rank and file cherish the
hope that the era will come when politics
will be eliminated from policing; when those
! charged with the protection Of life and
property may make their calling an indie
pendent one, and be enabled to execute the
| laws without fear or favor, and feel secure
in their positions, il in the right. We have
but to look to the city of Cincinnati to I'M
derstand the value of department nom
partisan in character 1t has undergone no
harsh criticism in years.
Cooperation With Police.
I'VE have been taught by experience that
the merry laugh and love of the boy on the
street is worth having, that the God bless
We Of the poor and disconsolate is better
possession than the traces of their tears,
and that the respect of good citizens is
preferable to the esteem of the bad. We be-
lieve that associations and organizations
maintained for the study and uplifting of
weak humanity, as well as for it's proper
restraint. should have unlimited intercourse
with the police, with view to cooperation
as far as practicable. We are confident
that the time is not far distant when the
police officer will have the sympathy and
regard of not only the individual but of
all those interested in the proper keeping
and disposition of the dependent classes,
and once had it will stimulate and advance
the welfare Of the guardian Of the peace
along lines which should elevate the stand
ard of general police service, which would
in turn rebound to the benefit of society
everywhere.
1.-The interchange of ideas which is had
through the annual convocations Of the
chiefs of police of this and foreign countries
is doing much to eradicate old-time preju-
dices and practices, and to advance the
police institution in the estimation of the
public.
Change in Methods.
lone result which Is greatly to be COM
mended is the disposition on the part of
the authorities to conduct business from a
humanitarian standpoint The prisoner
when under arrest or while being held for
examination Is rot subjected to the same
harsh and brutalizfng influences and treat
ment that at one time prevailed. This Is
largely due to the submission of those who
come into custody, they knowing full well
that their good conduct is an assurance to
their advantage. and that the means
adopted for their recapture. should they
escape, are superior to those ever before
known. Not to that alone does the i'm
provement follow, but it is the effect of ed
ucation derived from contact with those
inf FENCES which emanate from such asso-
Citations as your own.
There prevails, am glad to say, dis
position on the part of those in authority
to listen and reason. That individual or
organization which appears for fraiI hu-
mainly Is given patient hearing, If not In
dorsement, in many cases where formerly
the cold shoulder was in evidence. The fe-
male and Juvenile offender, the first-offense
man or woman and the diseased subject are
not railroaded to prison as was often the
course In early days, but they are met with
kindness, and extended justice tempered
with mercy. SO far as the experimenting
authority may control in our foremost mu-
inequalities.
"Cities in these modern times have en-
ployed superior order Of policemen, an
advantage secured in a measure by the
tenure of office provided In some localities.
1t has been well established that improved
intellectual capacity is a strong factor in
coping with crime. in that frequently
high-grade qualification is possessed by the
individual who prearranges and operates
against persons and property. OF course
the low. brutal instincts which belong to
the lower order of persons will continue to
characterize the murder, but the dishonest
promoter. check-raiser, forger and conf
dence man must necessarily possess ability
in order to successfully manipulate things
so as to bring him returns.
Tendency to Improvement.
THAT appreciation which should be en-
tertained for the police is not forthcoming
in most places. If the citizens as a whole
evidenced a higher regard for the police Of
ficer and extended to him that encourag-
ing recognition which is often due him, It
would have a tendency to influence him for
the better. If a member Of the police force
is made to feel that he holds position of
trust and not private snap. and that he
Is not and should not be made the imple-
ment of the politician. 1t would tend to his
moral betterment, raise his standard of
efficiency. and firmly convince him that
wniie mis- lot is not always happy one,
his life is worth the living
ut Is unfortunate for the city that must
have its force dependent upon the success
of elections. Loss Of life and property, tn
sanitary conditions: DETERMINATIONS. and
bad order will prevail where proper enforce
ment of law entails removed, reduction or
transfer for him who endeavors to perfom
his duty In conscientious manner
1.-The policing OF cities is made difficult
and embarrassing where a capable head IL
not free to operate his agency In the inter-
ests of the best government I would most
respectfully invite your attention to pref
ace which recently prepared for the an
nnal report of the international police asso-
citation:
. In this progressive age. when every
thing has attained a high state of perfec-
tfon, when scientists and business men, in
their ambition to attain glory and wealth,
pursue a course Of rapidity never before
known. changes have been effected which
completely transform the conditions which
prevailed ten years ago. These modern de-
partures apply to every class and every
sphere OF life. The social proposition is en-
tirely new, and those charged with the
preservation Of life and property must
adapt themselves to the situation in order
to meet It, or government must be made
quate.
Public Absorbed in Other Matters.
"eThe general public has not been awake
to the situation, but has been too much
absorbed in other directions to encourage
= a. ~<~rt<.> N-f4..
modernize and perfect organizations gem
orally that they might be separately and
unitedly prepared to contend with cendt-
lions.
{. The police chiefs ON the other hand
have been alive to the occasion and have
assembled and exchanged ideas and dis
cussed vital questions with view of bring
ing about more intelligent and energetic
cooperation These sessions have been
productive of excellent results. A system
and unison of action have followed which