Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-28
PREVALENCE OF CRIME
MAJ. sYLvEsTER's ADDRESS AT
TOLEDO, OHIO.
Recommends Introduction Of Proven
tive Observation-Disclosures of Politics
on Police Management.

he attended the annual meeting of the
majors, members of the departments of
public safety and police chiefs of the diff
ferent cities. He attended the gathering
by special invitation. and delivered an ed
dress in which he discussed various topics
of general interest.
Among other things he said:
Organization effected for the good of
the few, as long as it does not conflict or
interfere with the peace and happiness of
the many. should not be deprecated. An
organization instituted for the adv ancement
of the few and for the welfare of the
many is commendable. When it is stab
lished beyond question that efforts aiong
the lines last mentioned are beng pur
sued, 1t is becoming in the many to en-
courage it in no uncertain manntr.
sit remained for the American police 20
follow such a course, which. after care
full consideration and due elaboration, has
been Endorsed by the police authorities
of the world. That which elevates and
improves the departments of the United
States. is desirable for the states. lrd'-
vidually, and directly rebounds to the bene-
fit of society. 1t was but dozen years
ago when fifty police officials made ac-
quaintance. one with the other as they
gathered under one roof to discuss plans
for the Improvement of the service in
general and their respective departments
in particular. The police association, then
formed, has continued to increase its mem
bership, improve Intellectually and morally.
has reached a standard of high efficiency
and become International in name and fact.
Political Engine Destructive.
THE political engine which is destruc-
tive to police efficiency, is operated in
many jurisdictions, but when compared
with former conditions it will be found
to have been largely shorn of it's power
in many well-regulated cities. This is the
one question which has been studious1y
looked into and ably discussed, with
view to eliminating politics from an in
stitution in which all others of we'll
organized community must depend. The
ure of Office during good behavior, free
dom from penalty for enforcing the law
and pension in case of disability or death
constitute a firm foundation for the po-
lice establishment.
Honesty, sobriety, courage and intelli-
gence are the prime requisites for the
policeman of today. These principles
compose the corner stone of the interna-
tional Police Association. They are be-
ing promulgated from time to time. as
the good citizen comes to the support of
those departments which put these prin-
cipleS in practice. In order to secure the
advantages of a clean department the
opinions already offered would not be
complete did 1 omit to state that ample
compensation for the duties performed,
considering the cost of living and re-
sponsibilities assumed, conduce to dill
gent and straightforward conduct in Of
flee. The force should be graded and adj
vancement from one class to another be
the reward of inertia record of which
should be accurately and fully main
tanned"
Plea for International Bureau.
After reviewing the work of the asso-
citation in part, Maj. Sylvester said:
e Would the government listen to the
recommendation of those who have the
experience, it would adopt the provisions
of bill long pending in Congress, which,
without disturbing the laws. would place
within the palm of the police authorities
the constant information which would
enable them to reduce crime and prevent
enemies of the state from operating to
its detriment and at times distress. l re-
fer to the measure which would establish
a national bureau of criminal informa-
ton.
Grimes always have been, always will be
committed otherwise there would be no place
for the police; but despite the fact that
there has generally been little encourage
ment, through moral or financial support,
the organization through it's own efforts
has endeavored strenuously to keep pace
with the progress of the times. In the busy
whirl of affairs, in the strife for honor and
gain, l fear that attention has not been
given our municipal arrangements which
would maintain their best interests and
advancement. There should be a closer
relationship between the police and the
good citizen and the force be encourage
rather than discouraged, in laudable en-
deavors'
Cause of Increase in Crime.
Maj. Sylvester says it is admitted that
there has been an increase in crime in some
sections of the land, but that an investiga-
ton will reveal that there has not been an
int of rraI-aOtiya r1la3
mensurate with the progress and the adj
vanced times to antagonze the criminal
tendencies and happenings. The police
management he adds, year after year
recommends provision for an increase of
force and facilities over those which have
prevailed for years and fails to realize on
the suggestion. Enormous changes are
going on, complete evolutions have taken
place, except in the means to stay homi-
cidal and other criminal tendencies and
the annoyances which accompany them
Two hundred men without modern appli-
ances who did the work in a city five years
ago cannot successfully cope with the
situation in the same municipality today.
Remedies Suggested.
1.-The increase of police force, the estab-
lishment of houses of detention, instead of
stations, for women, first offenders and
young children; modern telephone and tel
egraph facilities, Bertillon apparatus, pho
tograph galleries.; daily bulletins containing
'lookouts' for each member of the force;
patrol and signal system; no political inter
ference; the national bureau for criminal
information and study of crime. are some
things which should be urged and provided.
The exposition at st. Louis contained
police exhibit part of the educational
display. 1t was worthy and received two
grand prizes But of what avail are dis
plays, suggestions, experience, if they are
to go unconsid cred, unheeded?
I'm words spoken Before and written for
the International Association of Chiefs of
Police / have endeavored to impress upon
it's members, and, through them, upon the
rank and file of police forces, the impor-
lance of kindness to children on their part.
The support of the coming men and women
is great thing to have. A kind word or
act costs little, if anything, and when ex-
tended to a child it means a great deal for
the present, and maybe for the future, for
him who gives and for him or her who re-
ceiveS.
Productive Of Low Standards
when the selection of police officers is
on purely political basis, the standards
are low, and the way is opened for police
connivance with violators Of the law. In
stances are not uncommon where police
men receive reeularlv money paymentS