Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-28
NEED FUGITIVE LAW
CONDITIONS TALKED OF BY MAJ
SYLVESTER.
Believed to Be of Benefit to the Local
Authorities-His
Views.

In his round up" of conditions in the
District Major Sylvester, superintendent
of police, treats of several matters of i'm
portance in his report to the Commission
ers. Referring to the necessity of fu-
gitive law, he says:
1T is recommended that fugitive law
be enacted for the District of Columbia.
A law whereby fugitive may be detained
at least ten days after information has
been filed by the local authorities that
an authorized official statement has been
received from another jurisdiction that the
person wanted has committed a crime
there. Such laws exist elsewhere and
would aid the police and rebound to the
benefit of the public
Vacant. Dwellings.
AS to vacant dwellings, the major con-
tinues:
Thousands of our citizens vacate their
houses during the summer season and the
police are instructed to give such premises
special attention. This they do to the ex-
tent the limited force at command will
permit. The department advises as a pre-
cautonary measure that residents who tenn
porarily close their houses notify the police
in advance of their departure. But one
residence was robbed while the occupants
were away, but the thief was apprehended
and the booty recovered
Referring to the poster nuisance, Major
Sylvester has this to say:
"Everyt hing has been done under the law
to prevent the display of uninviting pic
lures upon the various bill boards, which
are permitted to be constructed after con-
sent has been obtained from residents in
the vicinity of the place of their conduct.
The city will, however, not present that
neatness and becoming appearance which
should characterize it until picture posters
at least are entirely excluded from
display In this connection it will be OBJ
served that prominent houses, that tower
above the surroundings. have been grad
ually growing in extent as painted sign
boards which detracts from the beauty of
an otherwise attractive city. This class Of
advertising is discouraged by the depart
ment in every way possible
Procurement of Warrants.
As to the procurement of warrants, he
says:
Under the changes effected in the con-
duct of magistrates courts, the public cam
not procure Police Court warrants, and IS
the Police Court closes it's business at a
comparatively early hour in the day. there
are many occasions presented where in
convenience, if not embarrassment, fol-
lows the inability of a complaining citizen
or member of the force to obtain the pro-
cess without delay. 1t often means that
warrant cannot be had until following
day which might result in the evasion of
service and which necessitates the con-
sumption of time on the part of the public
This defect might in some wise be pro-
vided for and the suggestion is respect
fully submitted for the consideration of the
Commissioners.
Your superintendent" he adds. under
direction CT the Commissioners attended
the annual convention of the international
Police Association, which was held in the
city of St. Louis in May last, where he
was elected president of that organization
for the fourth consecutive time. The honor
was not a personal distinction much as
it was a dignity conferred upon the police
head at the seat of government as well as
a recognition of a well and favoraby
known police department.