The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-12-06

and numerous changes were mace DS
the managers 10 render IL safe -.
One hundred and forty-three other
places we're examined for defective W.T.
ing ara many Improvements made there
in.
Inspection of Gas Meters.
The inspector Of gas and meters re-
ports that during the last fiscal year ISS
Official photometric tests were made OF
the gas supplied b. the Washington
Gaslight Company, giving a mean illum-
mating power of 226s standard candle
| power. which is O.65 Of one candle above
| the legal requirement. and 3O6 photo
metric tests were made Of the gas
Company, giving a mean Illuminating
value of 22.14 standard candles.
The fees received for testing these me-
ters amounted to s2.420. which sum was
/ deposited with the collector OF taxes.
Police Department.
The Police Department OF the District
] of Columbia continues TO occupy a de-
lservedly high rank among similar organ
/ izations throughout the country. The
Major and Superintendent. Richard Syl-
vester, has for four successive years
| been chosen as the presiding officer OF
| fact which testifies 10 his ability and 70
an appreciation of the methods which
preghil IN the conduct OF his depart
ment.
The Commissioners regret, however
their inability to bring the force up to
| the numerical strength allowed by law,
namely. 6S6 officers and suDOrdinates.
| IL Is recommended that officers II
! class ! who have served I'VE years OF
1 over shall be promoted 10 class 2.
| The Commissioners believe that TINS
/ promotion will be an incentive 70 active
and intelligent performance Of WORK
{ and will also increase the membership
/ OF the force. Advances are also recon-
mended for the few supervising onicers
/ OF the force. in order that their salaries
may more nearly equal the compensa
| ton paid In other cities for similar ser
/ vice.
| The regulation OF public vehicles is q
| matter which receives the attention Of
/ the police, and while improvements ir
| the service have been acted, the ao-
! sence OF a general law on the suDpec'
j has made the work irksome and al times
| complicated IL Is the opinion OF ms
| Commissioners that the public vehicle
! service would be more satisfactory II
I drivers were granted licenses upon tht
/ favorable recommendation OF the police
and il licenses We're issued TO drivers IN
stead OF owners.
! The need OF legislation for the sup
! preston of unlimited sales OF certain
! drugs as urged by the Police Depart
| ment is important in order that the us
/ OF cocaine and other narcotics may 0s
| properly restained.
! While in full sympathy with the ef
/ forts OF the Police Court TO dispose Of
the multiplicity OF eases there presented
the Commissioners desire TO note thf
| fact that the existing system presents
| some undesirable features Cnfortu
/ mates, charged with trivial Offenses
should not be transported and concen'
/ trated with the more hardened criminals
| while awaiting trial and being cOnVeye1
| 10 court. while it IS not wise 10 allow
lie and property in extensive police Ter
ritOry 10 remain unprotected while mem
bers OF the force are detained as wit
| nesses. The subject Is one worthy o
careful and earnest consideration
The report. pointing out that IN
washington Public Library Is intendes
primarily for the people. says its circu
iatiou IS COO daily, and that II now hai
600 volumes, as against the I2,uO
I'VE and a half years ago.
The Commissioners urge the granting
of an appropriation by Congress TO keel
the library open on Sundays and lega
holidays.