Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-27
POLICE ESTIMATES
Maj. Sylvester's sRecammen-
dations for the Coming Year.
MORE MEN NV AN TED
INCREASE IN SALARY OF ASSIST
ANT SUPERINTENDENT.
Advance, Also, in Compensation of the
Captains and Others-The House
Of Detention.
MORE MEN Nv AN TED

Major Sylvester, superintendent of police
submitted his estimate Of the expenses Of
the police department for the year to end
June 80, 1905, to Commissioner Macfarland
this morning. The recommends tons are
for increases in salaries in general and
more men Of certain grades. Commissioner
Mcfarland said today that he would do
the best he could to give the police super
intendent what he wanted
1t Is recommended that the salary Of tine
captain and assistant superintendent be
increased from $500 per annum to 81. 800,
1t being stated that the work Of this off,
cial should be more amply paid for. The
report says:
He must possess exceptional and many
qualifications give his time night and day
to the work In hand; be a student of crime
and proper director Of the material under
him; possess firmness and ready capacity
for the solution of delicate problems: he
honest, respectful and willing, kind and
strong; be able to read human nature In
It's many phases; have an acquaintance
with the law of his own and other juris-
dictions; a full knowledge Of the men I'M
der him and to assign cases committed 10
his charge as to obtain the best results,
besides having familiarity with crimi-
nology and metric system of measurements,
pOllCe Photography anu HetDOuS employed
elsewhere.
Additional Recommendations.
Other recommen ada tons are as follows:
AN increase of $500 per annum in the
salary of each of the four captains. There
are four captains, and if it should become
necessary at any time to cali out the entire
police force of the District each of them
would have more than $50 privates under
ig and yrt,i nl, ol,lae
and 1nexpedient to any one familiar with
organizations. as such an officer should not
be expected to properly control and direct
the movements Of more than 100 men.
AN increase of 500 per annum in the
salary of the chief clerk, who shall also be
property clerk. A few years ago it became
necessary tc create the office of chief clerk,
but with such provision no distinct appro-
priation was made, so that today that Of
fetal not only Supervises all the clerical
work of the department, but must also re-
ceve and dispose of all property coming
into the hands of the police. consisting Of
thousands Of packages Of goods jewelry
and money every year, at the salary pro-
Vided for property clerk AS chief clerk he
directs the keeping of the records of the
several precincts and at headquarters,
which include those relating to finances,
statistics of crime, uniforms. equipments
stationery, property of the District sup
plies OF all kinds, the auditing of vouchers.
the recording of complaints, letters and
duties which require an experienced and
diligent official Not only must he be skilled
In the matters to which l have referred,
but he must also be qualified as stenog-
rapher and typewriter, and his hours Of
duty are unlimited, not barring Sundays
and holidays
An increase Of 800 per annum in the
mum in the salary of two clerks.
IAN increase of $3.50 per annum in tbe
pay of the four surgeons.
IAN increase of $50 per annun in the
salary of each of the eleven lieuteuants
Additional Force.
AN increase of $50 per annum in the sal
airy of each of forty sergeants and makes
provision for five additional sergeants at
81, 200 each. The same conditions exist with
reference to the sergeants, who are now re-
ceiving S1,14O per annum each, instead of
81 200. which l have recommended They
have direct supervision of the privates
while on duty, and act as lieutenantS dur
ing the temporary absence of the latter.
They are required not only TO perform po-
lice duty. but also reserve duty, and Dis
pose of the many delicate and trying queS-
ton which, owing to the social conditions
existing in this jurisdiction more fire.
quently encountered here than elsewhere.
"a decrease of ninety privates whose sal
aries amount to SS1 600 per annum, and
an increase of ninety privates, with salar-
les aggregating $91 POO
Major Sylvester says here:
''In 1879 the privateS Of the metropolitan
police force of the District of Columbia
were divided into two classes-Class 2, con-
sisting of 100 men, and class / of 73 This
division was made with view to requir-
ing appointeeS to serve probationary
term as privates of class L. If found ca
pable and worthy, they were promoted to
the higher rank, and the numerical strength
Of the two classes was proportioned that
promotion occurred within two years after
appointment Since that time Congress. in
its judgment, has increased the classes in
such manner as to materially pfolons the
period of probation, and the disproportion
between the classes Is SO great now that n
private must serve between nine ana ten
years before he can be promoted.
Occasions Discomfort.
This condition has occasional discon-
tent, the privates of class one believing
that recognition of faithful service should
not be deferred so long. This feeling has
prevailed for several years, and has caused
privates to become disheartened and resign.
Experience shows that after member or
the police force of this jurisdiction has
served energeucally and continuously for
eight or ten years disabilities begin to de-
velop and he finds he is lily qualified Tor
other than police work. He usually has a
family, whose expenses increase from year
to year, and he should have more to pro-
Vlue loI ~ II nc uoeS not ieeci|c ~, 81.
becomes discouraged and does not give that
attention to his official duties which is nee
essary to attain high standard or efi-
cheney. and which is usually given by we'll
paid and cOntented employees
The reports of the commissioner of Ia
Dor show conclusively that prices for neces-
saries of life have steadily advanced. and
are now higher than they have been for
years; and 1t Is well known that In all
branches of trade salaries have been raised
so as to be in a measure Commensurate
with the increased cost of living. The en-
ployes of the police department have not
received additional compensation When
1t is taken into consideration that police
officer must pay house rent, buy winter and
summer uniforms. perhaps pay a penalty
or two during the year for omissions and
a family consisting OF several persons. etc.
it is apparent that he must exercise the
most rigid economy to enable. him to care
for those he loves and himself. This mat