Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-19

Fairgrounds Of the streets was long since
established. the superintendent says. He
adds that there should be grounds for ball,
tennis, golf, croquet, bicycle and running
track, swimming pool and gymnasium Tor
cold weather all under rules to be enforced
by police attendants
The cocaine habit and sale is declared to
be the most difficult to cope with and it Is
said that the law should be so complete as
to prohibit other than licensed druggist,
it In his or her possession except on ply
stefan prescription. and then the package
to bear the name of the physician and the
patient for whom prescribed.
While there has been an Improvement in
the public hack service made necessary
largely through motor competition. the SUI
perintendent says 1t Is not what 1t should be.
The department renews it's recommended
ton of former years that an amendment to
the law be enacted whereby drivers will
be required to procure licenses rather than
the owners of public vehicles. and to be
granted after approval by the police de-
partment.
Speaking of bill boards and posters, the
superintendent says that for several years
efforts have been made to reduce the often
siveness of such displays with some degree
of success. His view is that the law should
regulate and relegate 1.-The sensational, mis-
leading and exciting object lessons that de-
tial patronage to the houses that employ
them" and that portraits should not be
included in the category with burglaries,
killings, train wreckings and the attempted
portrayal of sensational beauty shows
Park Policemen Underpaid.
There is no other jurisdiction known to
this department where the police RESPONSE
bilities are divided as they are in the Dis
trict of Columbia-not- in a general way,
but to that extent that at times complexities
matters, the superintendent says. 1t is not
unusual for a park Waterman to be con-
fused with a member of the metropolitan
establishment. and street railway crossing
policemen who are posted at intersecting
street car lines under a special act Of Con-
gress, are likewise COMPOUNDED with mem
bers of the regular force. The United
States Capitol police have exclusive super
vision of the Capitol building and grounds,
with the exception that the members of the
District police force exercise concurrent
jurisdiction over the grounds These aux
iliary forces each and severally per-
form good service considering the disad-
vantages under which they must at times
labor.
The park police look after the public reser-
vations to the extent of the limited COM
mand The park police are underpaid and
the crossing force at interSecting railways,
with the exception of performing all
night service and doing reserve duty at the
stations, are required to perform the work
of a regular at and about the corners
where they are assigned. 1t is the opinion
way police should be included In the metro
politan police institution, with the pay and
retirement privileges which go with it, and
that the more extensive reservations should
be supervised by mounted representatives
rather than footmen.
In reference to the waste paper nuisance
the superintendent says it has diminished
great deal. but will never entirely cease.
Unless streets cleaned daily, he adds,
there will be waste thereon. The police
have been instructed many times to reduce
the unsightliness which comes from such
source-to the extent of their ability.
Fugitive Law.
The necessity for the passage Of a law
whereby a fugitive from justice may be
legally arrested and held in custody pend
ing arrival of officers from another jurisdic-
ton is said to be more apparent each year
The law passed a year ago to regulate
the speed of motor vehicles entailed duties
upon the police which have in a measure
detracted from the efficiency that prevailed
under the former regulations, it is declared
In the outlying sections greater speed is
permitted, and an operator may so increase
it on the unimproved roads as to make it
impossible for an officer on a bicycle to
keep pace with or overtake him. The de-
partment, the superintendent says, will,
therefore, place in operation motor
cycle for experimental purposes. When
the law went into effect, it is added, at
least twenty more bicycle members of the
force SNOuId nave been appropriated for to
meet the situation.
At times when the District is largely pa
tronzed by strangers, such during the
inaugural period, the professional crook
must be reckOned with, and if al individual
is apprehended with burglars tools in his
possession, there is no specific law to cover
the case. There should be one, according
to the superintendent, as there is in other
parts of the country, and the penalty
should be such to remind these charac-
tiers that immunity cannot be enjoyed here
Comment on "thc Photograph"
while there no dance and music
halls in this jurisdiction of the character
which require police attention and incur
the displeasure of the good people in some
of the large cities" the superintendent re-
| marks, "the department has been called
upon to use it's endavors to prevent the
playing of graphophones in bar rooms and
other places for the purpose of attracting
customers. There is no law on the subject
and it is beyond the authority of police in
tervention, just as much as the incessant
piano playing, which has in some instances
raised the ire of an entire neghborhooi. 1t
goes without saying that these features,
under some circumstances, become decided
nuisances, and those annoyed should have
some source of relief"
The junk dealers law should be so amend
ed, it is urged, that license may be issued
to a person for such business only after the
application has been approved by the police
department. ana the same should be- subject
to revocation after the holder has been
twice convicted of violating the law.
During the heated term the police force,
under instructions from the Commission
ers, was utilized in making diligent house,
toulouse inspection of yards and vacant
lots, which caused Improvement in sani-
tary conditions. Along the same lines the
police investigated and reported upon all
dangerous ponds in the: District, whether
from health or dangerous point of view.
In all cases where 1t was possible to do so
the persons responsible were required to
erect fences other safeguards about the
dangerous ponds.
Obstinate Vendors.
Mentioning the occupancy of congested
Pennsylvania avenue at 7th street by fruit
vendors, the superintendent says the cart
men have little respect for the law on the
subject. They care not for small fines i'm
posed he declares, and Immediately return
| te that point to violate the regulations. IF
the court cannot be induced to insure a COM
pliance with the regulations, by the impo-
sition of higher penalties" the superintend-
ent remarks" the regulations promulgated
for this point should be abandoned"
The head of the department again ex-
presses the opinion that organ grinders and
street piano players should be required to
nav an annual license.