The Washington times., 1903-11-20
COCAINE HABIT
ON AN ALARMING
INCREASE HERE
Drug Hardly Known
Two Years Ago. Says
Major Sylvester.
ANNUAL POLICE REPORT
Superintendent Deplores Ex-
iStence of Fake Clubs for
DiSpeESationof Liquor.

DiSpeHsationof Liquor.
In his annual report to the District
Commissioners today, Major Sylvester
declares the drug habi; within his
jurisdiction to be vastly on the in
crease.
While there has been no general in
crease in the opium habit" he says,
that OF cocaine has taken a firm hold
on tae lower classes II is bound 10 be-
come a destructive agency unless some
thing is done 10 prevent its sale by
druggists
Alarming Growth of Habit.
Two years ago the drug was hardly
known" he continues. but the habit
has grown and the wreck OF lives which
accompanies the use of this deadly drug
and its sister drugs. morphine. cholral
and other pharmaceutical preparations,
and even patent medicines. is becoming
apparent.
''rhe police says Major Sylvester.
ARE poWerl,.ss 70 raid the opium joints
save on the charge of disorderly con-
duct and the f.Iie for this misdemeanor
is inadequate TO check the seourage." He
urges the necessity for the prohibition
OF the sale OF these drugs save upon
the prescription Of a physician.
Increased Arrests.
There were - see arrests made by the
Police Department of the District OF
Columbia. in the fiscal year ended June
50. 1905. involving about 29.O00 persons.
OF this total. l4.727 We're ,fhite offend
eTs. and 15.1l2 negroes, an Increase of
296 over the previous year.
Within the year there were eleven ar
rests upon the charge OF murder. and
three for rrsnsIaughter. The previous
year there were fifteen cases or murder
and Two Of manslaughter.
Charges Of housebreaking caused 206
arrests. followed by LAG convictions. an
increase in the latter Of q over the
previous year Grand larceny was re-
ported in SOr instances, and IA arrests
were made. Petit larceny was reported
in 1854 cases. 1876 apprehensions were
had. and 1.23S held
Forgery Is Rampant.
Continuing, Mojor Sylvester says:
There were twenty-eight cases cf
highway robbery made. as against six
teen for the year previous. There was
a decrease in the cases Of embezzle-
ment and remarkable Increase In the
number OF cases Of forgery.
There were thirteen cases where rape
was charged, nine OF which were held:
and six casts IN 1902. Arrays. assaults.
and intoxicatiOn were more in evidence,
as shown by the arrests Persons keep
ing disorderly houses We're prosecuted
in eighty-seven cases. baWdy houses in
sixteen. gambling houses in sixty-three,
unlicensed liquor dealers in sixty-five,
for being open Sundays In thirteen, and
after hours in two"
Inadeqracy of Police.
In speaking of the inadequacy Of the
Police Department, the report says:
This immense and weIl-populated ter
ritory, embracing nearly seventy square
miles. with over FIVE hundred miles Of
streets and nesrly two hundred miles
OF roads. has never been patrolled and
guarded by an adeeuete police force.
considered from a numerical stand
point
The third largest oolice domain In
the United States. with its important
and valuable interests. has been cared
for BY an organization too much out OF
proportion &c aI.ord unquestioned Sc
eurity to life and property therein II
IS the only Territory IN the United
6LdLtS having q municipal pDlACG DalEO4-
"Fake" Clubs Scored.
Those engaged in the sale OF liquor
IN the District OF Columbia under
wholesale arS retail licenses have gen.
orally obseyTed the excise law. The
police have encountered some difficulty
with travelling barrooms. or speak
easies.' which means that persons will
purchase a supply OF hquor for Sun
day use, and dispose OF II from va
lise or IN private quarters on that day,
but the statistics show that a deter
mined warfare bRs been waged against
such violations. and that the business
is not q Erowing one.
''It Is unfortunate, however. that
several institutions. Incorporated as
clubs, permit the enrolment OF per-
sons In their membership on the pay
/ment OF a nom.hal fee. which extends
TO them the privilege of procuring such
drinks as they may desire on Sundays
and after hours. The department ven
lures the opinion that this is not in
line with good conduct. and II does not
subserve the best interests Of the com
munity."