The Washington times., 1908-02-16

police. In speaking of existing cohdl-
tons. Major Sylvester said
Police Unduly Criticised.
Much undue criticism has been
heaped upon the force for its failure TO
arrest the criminals who are so sue
cessfuIly operating in Washington j.
must be remembered that Washington.
as rule, is unusually free from such
crimes as terrorize other cities Of size.
For this very reason the present wave
Of pocketbook snatching and street hold
ups appears all the more deplorable.
The only way to stop this is 10 have
more men 10 regularly patrol the
streets.
1T IS not generally known, bat IL 10
nevertheless a fact. that We, with the
smaller force, patroi more ground than
do the police Of Baltimore, Boston, Bui-
faIo. Cincinnati, Detroit. Cleveland, and
~ number Of other cities. We have 400
more acres 10 patrol than St Louis
alone. In spite Of this the Washington
police force makes more arrests tn a
year than do the large forces OF the
cities mentioned. Last year st. Louis
made 1900 arrests. We made $1,000
"Tn the last six years the population
of washington has increased 300. TO
ms. e35 policemen we had six years ago
/ have been added but twenty-four men
This statement alone should be suth-
cient 10 give as q larger force.
Baltimore Police Puzzled.
washington is not the only city
whieh is now suffering from hold-ups.
! Since last summer we have received
/ from Baltimore reports Of almost twice
the number of street robberies which
have occurred here in the same time.
Not only do they have such cases In
( Baltimore In plenty, but the police nave
been lust as unsuccessful in capturing
the miscreants as has the local depart
lment. A number Of cases OF vtuiJl
throwing which the police believe 70
/ be done By one man has been worrying
/ the Baltimore officials for more than
/ four months, and The pol-1e are abso-
4 luteiy at sea in the matter
! Major Sylvester and Captain Board
man both deplOred the custom women
have of carrying hand satchels and
small purses openly in the streets after
dark
/ These cEatelaine bags and hand
purses are DDen invitations to a criminal
=
! and even with a policeman 10 every
block it would be impossible 10 STAMP
out the street robberies altogether Un-
less the women helped us by not car
lTying money so conspicu0usly.
In spite OF adverse conditions which
greatly handicap the force, 1 am con
hdent that We will make a few ar
rests in the ear future which viii cieal
up the majority of the cases recently
reported. The criminal viii 90 to tn.
well once too often, just as Jack IN,
/ Ripper did"
Vagrancy Law to Blame.
Major Sylvester continued that he be
reves much Of the recent crime il
Washington is due to the inedectivenes
of the present vagrancy law. Under tn
law a prisoner cannot be held ca a sim
pie charge OF vagrancy or drunkenness
It is necessary to show that the pris
oner IS a person of evil life and fame
! without visible means of support, an,
found repeatedly drunk on the street,
AS the law now stands. according t
Major Sylvester, it makes it practicall
impossible to take any action agains
numerous suspicious persons about tn
city who do not work, and who ar
known TO have police records. Majo
Sylvester says that a test case Will b
, ! made shortly, and an appeal taken {
determine whether or not prisoners ca
be held on the simple charge Of va