Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-14
POLICE ESTIMATES
Maj. Sylvester Suggests Gen.
eral Increase in Salaries.
THE ANNUAL BUDGET
TOTAL APPROPRIATION OF $751;
1875 SOLICITED.
Supplemental Statement in Behalf OF
House of Detention-Appeal
for Maintenance.

Major Richard Sylvester has submitted TO
the Commissioners the estimates Of the
police department for the fiscal year be-
ginning July l next Major Sylvester rec
ommends a somewhat general increase In
salaries, as he declares 1t Is a recognized
fact that the cost of living has greatly In
creased during the past few years. Other
municipalities and corporations are giving
attention TO a proper increase In the pay
of their employees to meet the new condi-
tons The total amount asked by Major
Sylvester Is $S77, 125. This includes the
sum of 500 600 requested for the purchase
Of site and the erection Of a precinct
station house in Anacostia. The natural
growth of the locality. the railroad extern
sions and improvements at the Government
Hospital for the Insane are some of the
reasons advanced for the necessity Of this
new eleventh precinct. Major Sylvester
declares the salaries of the forty additional
privates of class l who were provided
for last year by Congress at S720 year
should be raised to $500 year, and he in
cludes them in the list of 800 privates OF
the class designated. The major says 1t
has been difficult to recruit the force at the
lower figure, desirable men being unwilling
to work for that amount. Major Sylvester
thinks the number of class privates
should be increased SO to provide rea-
sonable outlook for promotion to the men
of class l. Ten years are now required to
reach the second stage.
The Increases Suggested.
In the salary of Capt. Boardman assist
ant superintendent, Major Sylvester asks
an increase Of s7OO, raising the amount
from 81, 800 to $500. Other increases rec
commended are:
Increase in salary of chief. also prop
erty clerk, $500; increase in salary Of three
clerks $500; increase in salary of four cap
tains, at $500 each, $1,000; increase in sal
airy of ten ieutenants, at $3.50 each, 1880;
increase in salary Of thirtyfive sergeants.
at $50 each, $2,1oO; ten sergeants. at 81 200
each, $4,000; forty privates OF class /. at
$500 each, $4,000; twenty prtvates OF class
2. at 81 $50 each. 81 600: increase In salary
Of twenty-four desk sergeants, at $500 each,
at $50 each, $40; increase in salary of
three telephone operators. at $500 each,
500; two drivers, at $500 each. 81 200; four
uentenants, sergeants and prtvates. mount
ed, at $40 each, $3.50; increases In allow
ance Of sixty-four sergeants and privates,
mounted on bicycles. at 80 each. $40: in
crease for miscellaneous and contingent
expenses, 5000; for additional ground and
completion Of substat1on in Tenleytown.
81. OOO; for remodeling morgue and convert
ing into stable and hospital for horses, 500.
House of Detention.
Major Richard Sylvester. superintendent
Of police today transmitted to the Com
missioners a supplemental estimate, pro-
viding for the maintenance of the house
of detention. The total amount desired for
this institution is $11 $780, In this connec-
ton the major gives an interesting re.
view of the work accomplished at the house
Of detention, showing it's great value as an
adjunct of the police system in saving wo-
men and children from degrading surround
ings, Notwithstanding the fact that they
may themselves have committed some mis-
demeanor. Maj Sylvester says:
THE house of detention, as the law max
ing provision for its support indicates. is
not q station house, but such an institution
as Is best adapted for the confinement of
youthful prisoners, coming into the hands
Of the police. overnight or until the charges
against them may be disposed of by the
courts. In addition to holding such pris-
oners for trial. the judges Of the Police
Court and board OF children's guardians in
the absence Of an appropriation, have had
to invoke the aid OF this department to the
extent of caring for these prisoners-that is,
housing and feeding them-after the courts
have determined charges agoinst them, I'M
til such time as they may be sent to
proper reformatory or assignment may be
made OF their cases-by way Of penalty and