Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27


Nd receive 81 COO per annum and In en-
cinnati draw 800. it is pointed out ina.
$500 per year for each of the four hre ana
police surgeons of Washington would be
more fitting than the $40 per year allowed
eacch of these men at the present time.
In another statement of conditions OBJ
tanning in other cities. Major sylvester
shows that nowhere Is the salary OF the
lieutenant of each precinct held at 50 low
a level as here. One thousand hVe nun
bred per year is asked for each of eleven
lieutenants, instead of $3.50. Forty SER
geants are now the rolls of the police
department. An increase of this number
to forty-five Is requested in addition to an
advance in the salary of the ONCE from
ST. 140 to 81 1920.
The Available Force.
At the present time the active force or
the police department is made up OF $40
privates of Glass l, who are paid 5000 each
per year and of 265 privates of Class =.
who draw 10So each. Ten additional pri-
Yates of Class l are requested. and 1t Is
earnestly argued that the salary of these
men be made s1,0SO. this item alone re-
curing SIT 400 more than the similar item
in the present appropriation. Privates of
Glass 2. Major Sylvester thinks, should be
paid 81 200 each, rather than slOSo. On
this general subject however, the chief
of police advocates a sweeping change in
the whole system. in the following lam
guage:
In 1879 the prlVateS OF
police force of the District of Columbia
were divided into two classes, class No.
consisting of 100 men and class No. of
10. This division was made with view
to requiring appointees to serve proba-
tionary terms privates of class No. 1. II
found capable and worthy they were pro-
NOTED to the higher rank. and the numeri-
cal strength of the two classes was so pro-
portioned that promotion occurred within
two years after appointment.
Since that time Congress, In Its 1udg
ment has increased the classes in such
manner as to materially prolong the period
of probation, and the disproportion between
the classes is so great now that a private
must serve between nine and ten years be-
fore he can be promoted.
This condition has occasoned discon-
tent the private of class No. l believ-
ing that recognition Of faithful service
should not be deferred so long. This feel
ing has prevailed for several years and has
caused privates to become disheartened and
resign.
The reports of the Commissioner of La
Dor show conclusively that prices for neces-
saries of life have steadily advanced, and
are now higher than they have been for
years. and it Is well known that in all
branches of trade salaries have been raised
so as to be in measure commensurate
with the increased cost of living.
THE employees of the police department
have not received additional compensation
Division Into Three Grades.
'The major and superintendent, after
careful investigation of police methods
and salaries paid in other jurisdictions. is
of the opinion, as heretofore expressed. that
the privates should be divided into three
grades-those of class 1 to receive $500 per
annum. and after two years probation. pro-
vided intelligent attention to duty merits
the same, they should be promoted to class
at a salary of 81 ESQ per annum; and them
IL intelligent attention to duty merits fur
Their promotion after a service of five years.
they should be promoted to class ), at
81 ,20O per annum.
For the reasons advanced, l have the
honor to recommend that the original ideas
of the lawmakers when they established
two classes of privateS. be carried out. and
that proper proportion between the two
existing classes may be maintained, that all
privates of class / who have served five
years or more prior to this date be allowed
81 $50 per annum.
Under this arrangement ninety men now
receiving $500 per annum would be pro-
NOTED to 81, OS0 This would require ad-
ditional appropriation of $1,000. There is
no doubt in my mind that excellent results
would follow this fair and equitable alot-
ment of salaries. The privates of the two
classes are on duty the same hours and
have the same tasks to perform.
"a careful review of the situation will
convince any person that responsibilities
are imposed upon members Of our police
force which do not prevail in any munich
PATTY In tnlS country. IHcrcfoTe, tNc IOfCe
should not be deficient in numbers or be
required to work for inadequate compensa-
ton.
Hard Working Operators.
The three telephone operators who act as
the central receiving and distributing bu-
reau of information and orders in the po-
lice department Major Sylvester refers to
with commentator. and. on account of the
constant and close attention to business re-
quired of these men, who share alternate
eight-hour tricks OF duty. he asks that
their $500 Of annual salary be increased to
$780,
Desk sergeants, Of whom there are
twenty-four assigned to the different sta
ton houses In the city. Major Sylvester
would have paid 81 $50 each. instead OF
$40 as at present. For twenty-six drivers