The Washington times., 1905-08-27
ELOQUENT PLEA
FOR POLICEMEN
Sylvester Asks Larger Pay
for Them.
SAYS THEY ARE FINEST"
Major Describes Their Important Work
and Bewails Rate at Which
They Are Paid.
SAYS THEY ARE FINEST"

"In the District of Columbia the faith
ful body OF men who guard the millions
of dollars of Government property, who
protect millions more Of private prop
erty, and who exercise a wise defense
of the lives OF thousands OF official and
other residents. not composing an ordi-
nary municipality, but a territory, have
for years and do now continue to stand
watch at compensations which permit
them to live and that Is ALL"
This is one of the most interesting
statements made by Major Sylvester in
his recommendation for better salaries
for the members Of the police force.
contained in his annual report handed
to Commissioner Macfarland yesterday
afternoon.
Along with this annual report, Major
Sylvester submitted his estimates for
the fiscal year TO end June 30, 1897.
For the present fiscal year. which ends
June 30. 1906, Congress appropriated $751;
425 for the maintenance of the police
department of the District of Columbia
Wants SIs3,1oo More.
I Major Sylvester asks Congress for ST.
Ola. SIS tc maintain his force during the
next fiscal year. This is an increase of
s1S3. 100 over the appropriations allowed
by Congress for the present year.
II Congress allows this additional
amount of s1S3,10o. the bulk OF it will
go into the pockets of the policemen Of
the District of Columbia. The Super
intendent OF Police makes the dominant
theme of his report an appeal for in
creased wages for the bluecoated SOL
diers who guard the life and property
of the citizens of the District
In supporting his recommendation for
larger salaries for the priyates of the
police force, Major Sylvester points out
that the commercial advancement OF the
age has brought increased wages all
along the line. TO laborers of all classes.
but little has been done for policemen.
He quotes from reports OF the Bureau
of Labor to show that there has been
an increase in the price of living, and
says:
'In the period covered by the labor
report, while other classes have been
provided with pay to more properly
maintain themselves as citizens of the
greatest country in the world should.
the police have patiently labored as pub
lie servants. unable to provide for a
rainy day,sto educate their children as
they would like. and to enjoy a few rays
VI SuiiSIiibt WINCH 6Oou HNilS CdiIieS
with it.
Judge and jury"
The members of the force are re-
qUired to be intelligent, energetic, So
ber. honest men. They must at times
be judge and jury, and frequently have
delicate international questions to de-
termine without delay. They must
wear bright uniforms, at their indi-
vidual expense, pay an occasional
financial penalty in the response to dis
cipline. always be on hand when called
for. criticised for their actions. be they
right or wrong, and be deprived of the
usual recreations which a few extra
dollars provide for the average Amer
lean Of today. The force is intelligent
to the highest degree in comparison,
is clean and hard-Worked; often over
worked because of its inadequate nu-
merical strength.
The records of their labor are on
file, and speak for themselves. No
where else are such detailed and multi
tudinous requirements exacted of a
force, yet In Philadelphia the MEM
bers are not only paid a salary, but
also an allowance for clothing
THE expense of living in the Dis
trict is high, house rent, the cost OF
fuel. food, and raiment have advanced.
while the salaries paid are not suffi-
cient to enable a member to comply
strictly with the regulations as to uni
forms and otherwise, and provide for