Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-04


during the year. For the same reason no
extensions of the mantle gas-lighting sys-
tenn were made, and 1t was only possible
to maintain the existing service with that
style of burner because of the extremely
low price that was paid for the service.
A larger appropriation made possipie an
Improvement and extension Of lighting IN
the present fiscal year.
The work of the District underground
system was continued during the year
with the addition of sixty-six miles OF ca,
bic, the erection of ninety-nine additionai
fire alarm and patrol posts. the connecting
OF seven additional school houses and three
other buildings.
Twenty-three new fre-alarm boxes were
placed in service the streets ana one
private box installed In the Casualty HOS,
pital. The fire-alarm system was extenoeo
TO the new engine company-No: ls-and 10
the fire. boat station. At the close OF the
fiscal year there were 416 fre-alarm boxes
in service.
There was a net increase of Twenty-Five
telephones installed in the District system,
OF which sixteen were for the public
schools. At the close OF the fiscal year all
of the public schools with the exception OF
three were supplied with telephone service
connected with the District switchboard.
An advantageous offer from the Chesa-
peake and Potomac Telephone Company
was accepted whereby saving OF $l.Z9IoO
per annum was effected The company
agreed to furnish new telephone switch
boards to replace the old ones belonging to
the District of Columbia. to change the
proved common battery system and to In
crease the trunk-line facilities. This work
was In progress at the close Of the hscal
year.
Twenty new police patrol boxes were
established during the year, the system
having been extended to the District line at
Kenilworth and to the boys reform school,
on the Bladensburg road.
The Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company made gratifying progress In the
work of extending it's underground con-
Quits and removing poles and wires from
the streets. The company reports the re-
moval of over 400 miles of wire and 2OI
poles from the streets and alleys The
Western Union Telegraph Company ex-
tended it's conduts under the authority Of
the act of Congress approved March 3.
1905, and were removing it's poles and large
cables from 14th street at the close of the
fiscal year. The Potomac Electric Power
Company also continued its work of re-
moving the poles and overhead wires from
the streets in the city limits.
There was a large increase in the amount
of work performed by the electrical wiring
inspectors, due In large measure to the
activity in building operations. The lack Of
sufficient inspectors has prevented any sys-
tematic inspection OF old wiring in build
ings, and small progress was made In this
direction. Theater inspection was carried on
regularly each week by the inspector de-
tailed for that purpose.
After advertisement a satisfactory con-
tract was secured for period of three
years, whereby the District Is enabled to
change all its old style fiat-fame gas lamps
in the District of Columbia to the i'm
proved type of incandescent mantle lamps
The number of lamps to be changed Is
approximately 5000. Under the present ap-
preparation bill the rate for flat-fame lamps
is $500: the new mantle lamps will cost
for the next three years S20.SJ per annum
This change will materially increase the
amount of light on the streets.
There will also be an addition of approx
imately 125 electric arc lamps, which can
ha ma tai nod wit no cod
ton granted by Congress.
-. Owing to the lower price which the Dis
trict will pay for naphtha lighting "a diff
ference of s235 per lamp per annum) a ma
terial increase in this form of lighting can
be made.
1t is contemplated that approximately $50
gas lamps, 40 naphtha lamps and 500 in
candeScent electric lamps can be added to
the number now maintained.
-... av %. Metropolitan Police.
The action of Congress during it's last
session in enacting the law reerganizing the
police force and providing for an increase of
salaries was fully appreciated not only by
the Commissioners and the police force but
by the entire community. The officers and
men have shown their gratitude by increaS-
3; ed diligence and effectiveness. and it is be-
lieved that the District of Columbia can
now point to an organization uneXcelled
anywhere for the high average OF intelli-
'gence and honest devotion to duty displayed
has shown 1t to contain or two omis-
sions which should be rectified. For in
stance, there Is no provision for filling the
higher classes should they be depleted by
an epidemic. riot. fire, flood other catas-
topic. Congress will be asked to remedy
this defect. as otherwise it would be i'm
possible to place in those classes men who
had not served three and five years.
The Commissioners will bring to the at
tenton of Congress a number of improve
ments that are imperatively demanded Sew
eral of the old station houses ought to be
abandoned, but, In view of the demands
made upon the District revenues by the
extraordinary permanent projects which
are now in course of construction, 1t has
been deemed wise to restrict present rec
concentrations to the replacing of the old
cells In several station houses with new
steel cages of modern sanitary design. 1t
Is also important that new station house
be erected in Anacostia and an estimate has
been submitted for the. purchase Of site.
1t Is also suggested that in the near future
suburban station house be provided as a
headquarters for all the mounted officers
This station house should be equipped with
ample stable accommodations for all the
horses of the mounted members of the
force. and with a blacksmith shop. This
change will conduce to better organization
and economy The construction of a target
range, bowling alleys. gymnasium, ETC., on
the District property adjoining the seventh
precinct station house is also much to be
desired
In the compa ratively small number of ar
rests on criminal charges the District con-
tinues to present an admirable showing
There are, however. a very large number of
arrests for misdemeanors. due to the strict
enforcement of multiplicity of regula-
tons. The work of the force has been great
ly increased. Congress should add to the
numerical strength of the organization and
should also make provision for bailiffs at
the police court, watchmen at the work.
house. and clerks at police Headquarters
which positions are now filled by police
men.
Legislation is also necessary which will
strengthen the police and fremen's pension
fund so as to admit of the retirement of
officers who are entitled to this action and
who are still doing duty because the de-
mands already made upon the fund are ex-
haustive.
The Commissioners will recommend 70
the Congress the enactment of a law hold
Ing and Furnishing persons found with bur
glars tools in their possession, and author
izing the issue of warrants for the detention
of alleged fugitives for limited time upon
an authorized official statement of facts
from another Jurisdiction.
1t is also suggested that the junk-deaIe
license law be amended so that license will
issue only upon the approval of the major
and superintendent of police, and be sub
ject to revocation when the holder has been
twice convicted for violating this law