The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-09


bureaus as a national clearing house
for the identification of criminals has
been of great value 20 law and order
in these countries.
1 wish In this connection to urge the
consideration OF the finger print sys-
TEN OF Identification now employed In
England, Austria, and some OF the
brlush colonies. and recently adopted
IN several cities in this country. The
testimony OF officials ia these countries
and cities is 10 the effect that this sys-
tenn facilitates and simplifies the identi-
ncatlon OF criminals, secures more ac-
curacy IMAM the cumbrous system of
measurements, ana has enabled the DO
nee 10 Identify a larger, percentage of
suspected criminals than formerly.
Department of Buildings.
3. The Department Of Buildings and
public Works:
This department should supervise all
public buildings and enforce laws and
ordinances in relation to the construc-
ton and safety Of private buildings
and should control all public works.
such IS sewerage, lighting, and water
supply
1. The Department Of Charities:
The present Board Of Charities has
performed a service Of the highest
value The gradual reduction through
its efforts of the number Of subsidized
charities has been a difficult and often
thankless task. II would seem to me.
! however, that the time has now come
when the place OF this board should be
| taken by n commissioner OF charities,
who would give constant supervision 10
The charitable institutions maintained
DY the District, - for which District
funds are appropriated. II you would
] IN - 81.
] Board of Charities / would recommend
! That the president OF tthC board be a
! salaried commissioner. giving his en-
! tlre time 10 the work. IL Is TO be hoped
| JnaI IN the near future 70 hOspitaI Or
charitable institution will receive sub
sides from the Congress unless sucn
subsidies are indorsed by the Board OF
I Cnaritles or by the Commissioner of
CHarlues' II this office be constituted.
Department of Corrections.
5. The Department Of Corrections:
An independent department Of cor
rectiCns is needed under the presidency
of competent. weIl-saIaried executives.
| Such department should have charge Of
all penal and corrective institutions in
the District and penal institutions or
the National Government now located
| in the District should be turned over.
! to it, w
The children's court recently estab-
iished with probation service is rneer-
ing with general approval Is a step IN
the right direction IN the more fnteIlt-
gent handling OF Juvenile Offenders
| such department of corrections should
I make careful examination of an cor
! IecuVe institutions in the District with
/ q view 70 secure and apply sucn cor
I receive methods as shall tend 10 con
I cate criminals out Of crime. aud not
as mas been the history of penal fnStf-
Iuti2ns In the past, drive them more
ceeply into II.
Department of Street Engineering.
] 6. The Department Of Street Enri-
| Deering.
rms department should have charge
OI me construction. paving and repaiT-
ing OF all streets. highways. and sid
G Te.As, cleanlng OF the same and the
ulsposal or ashes and garbage 1 am
aware that II IS customary to Mac
inc construction and repair of hi~b N -
Inuer one department. and their clean
ING under another, but in nv ODiniOn
II would locate responsibility rnore
! clearly and increase the Intelligence and
efnciency of administration TO DIaca the
construction and care Of the streets I'M
Labor: anu
The present government of the Dis
Tict contains no adequate means for
the collection of information in reIa-
uon 10 housing and labor The special
supervision Of their poorer quarters es-
taolished in some cities and the bu-
reaus OF labor In most States are also
lacking TIE office of the Commissions
or OF insurance might also be organized
into a buresu and appropria tely attach
cd 10 this department
Urges More Bureaus.
To meet the above requirements I
"a
constituted under TINS department:
BUREAU OF STATISTICS-This bu-
reau should obtain and publish infor-