Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-07

Baltimore, 1903, and In the District OF
Columbia, II. These statistics are
crease of 81 privates recommended as an
addition to the force for the coming year
Police Surveillance.
There was presented at the last session
Of Congress a proposed amendment to the
license laws requiring drivers Of pubic
vehicles to procure an annual license
after application for the same had been
approved by the chief of police. The pub
lie has long demanded the adoption Of an
amendment Of this character, and its
enactment would protect the local and
travelling public against imposition. 1t
would also be wise to enact legislation
whereby persons at depots and steamboat
wharves who seek patrons for hotels and
boarding houses should be required to
procure an annual license after approval
Of the application by the police depart
ment, with the additional proviso that
those to whom such certificates might be
granted should comply with the regula-
tions for their conduct in public places
or otherwise suffer revocation OF their
licenses.
Many municipalities are enacting ordi-
nances for the abolition Of the billboard.
These billbOards now exist In the Ma
tional capital by sanction OF Congress.
and there Is strong sentiment In favor
Of their removal on the ground that they
are unsightly and that the character OF
the displays made thereon frequently
has a remoralizing effect.
Clubs and Poofrooms.
Owing to the ease with which the So
called social clubs may be incorporated
in the District Of Columbia and the fact
that such incorporation places the Or
ganization in a favorable situation for
the dispensing Of liquor and the playing
Of pool on Sundays, the Commissioners
will ask Congress to enact legislation
which will have the effect Of restraining
the incorporation of clubs except for bona
fide purposes. The existence Of clubs for
the evasion Of the rigid Sunday excise
law has long been a source of annoyance
to the authorities, but recently conditions
have been aggravated by the opening Of
poolrooms on Sunday under the guise OF
club organization. These conditions should
be remedied as promptly as possible by
the enactment Of proper legislation. The
Commissioners will again ask Congress
to enact new law regulating the carry
ing and disposal OF concealed weapons.
measure which Is urgently advocated
by the major and superintendent OF po-
lice. 1t is suggested that no sales or
transfers of revolvers or other weapons
shall be made by merchants or others
until the purchaser has obtained from
identity which will also carry upon its
face the reason for the purchase. 1t Is also
proposed that any party disposing OF
such weapons must first register and OBJ
tain permission for such action.
In view Of the fact that the authori-
ties were not sustained by the court in
cases where sales of intoxicating liquors
were made to minors who were messen-
gers to carry the liquor to adult persons,
1t is important that the excise law should
be so amended as to prevent such sales.
Laws Regarded as Necessary.
The Commissioners renew their appeal
for the enactment of laws making 1t q
penal offense for persons to carry or have
in their possession burglars tools; fu-
gitives law. whereby fugitives may be
held temporarily awaiting necessary pa
pers for removal to the place of the
criminal commitment; an amendment to
the pharmacy law whereby the sales OF
poisonous drugs may be more thoroughly
prevented. and legal protection Tor the
insignia and uniform of the members of
the police force. The measure introduced
in Congress a year ago defining vagrancy
in this jurisdiction and providing penal
ties therefor should also receive the IA
vorable attention Of Congress at the
forthcoming session
The constantly increasing influx of
strangers into the National capital from
all parts of the country has prompted
certain persons to offer their services as
guides. and who wear badges secured by
themselves which give them ficti-
tious official appearance, although there
is no legal provision for such designation.
In view Of the fact that there il q lesiti-
mate demand for the services OF well
informed and honorable persons a law
should be enacted providing for the ap-
pointment Of authorized guides upon the
payment Of a license fee and after favor
able recommendation shall have been
made by the major and superintendent
Of police.
Discussing Office a Model.
The disbursing office is recognized as a
model and efficient branch of the NUM-
cipal government, interested as it is
with the proper disbursement Of the Dis
trict's funds.
The amount OF work performed by this
department continues to increase each
year in proportion to the larger appro-
priations incident to municipal growth.
The total amount handled by the Office
during the year was $lO.O6S. 47O.2S, ex-
cludinng $498, 1918 and ST.. 239. 80 checked
out by the disbursing oficer acting as
special disbursing agent Of the municipal
building andn Rock Creek Park funds.
respectively. The grand total of $1O.5S3.-
$685. is nearly one million dollars in ex-.
cess of the disbursements for the proceed
ing year.
The total number of checks issued from
funds Of the disbursing office proper, and
in payment Of contracts. merchants bills
for supplies, salaries paid by check. etc.
was 55.975. an increase Of nearly 1000
over the year 1907; while the cash pay
ment for salaries. witnesses and jurors
fees. ETC., all Of which aggregated over
100000 in number. represented the total
sum Of 81 ,S6, 57O.37. or an increase Of
$213, 1888 over the year 1907.
Out Of the nearly 10000 checks issued
only were reported as undelivered to
or lost by the payee, and in these cases
duplicates were issued, in accordance
with the rules prescribed by the United
States Treasury, after payment on the
originals had been stopped.
AS part Of the precaution looking to-
ward the accurate and honest admins
tration Of the Office may be mentioned q
daily balance, audited and approved by
the District auditor, and general month
ly closing OF all accounts of moneys ad-
vanced to the disbursing of3cer on ac-
count OF the various appropriations. trust
funds. and special funds. approximating
$50 in number.
The increased space and improved IA
cilities afforded by the new District build
ing, the installation of a modern flreproof
vault and q burglar-proof safe to protect
funds on hand. the bonding of the entire
ofiicial and clerical force, together with
q close audit by the District auditor and
q final review by the United States Treas
ury omcials, all operate toward the COM