The Washington herald., 1909-01-01
FORCE Is TOO SMALL
Maj. Sylvester Pleads for
Needs of Department.
CONDEMNS STATION HOUSES
superintendent of Police Declares
Buildings Are HOpeIesSIy Behind
Present Needs and Points Out Lack
Of Proper Places for Confinement
of PrisOners-Taxicab Rates.

After showing that the metropolitan
police department is too small in num-
bers and is unable 10 protroI the city
properly. Maj. Richard Sylvester. super
intendent, concludes his annual report
with e plea 70 Congress.
The most eminent men. costliest build
/ ings, most vital interests Of al kinds 10
watch over and care for-is not the pres
ent condition an unfortunate commentary
for the richest, proudest, most beautiful
and courageous country in the world. as
represented at the seat Of government ?"
I the major says
Needs of Department.
His question is designed to reveal some
thing Of the actual needs Of the depart
ment.
The outskirts Of the city" the major
says. the little communities which under
State government would have town mar
shals and police protection Of their own.
are inadequately looked after A large
contingent Of the force must be assigned
TO places not technically in keeping with
legislative provisions and 10 the detri-
melt Of general police supervision.
For instance. Benning has two pri-
Yates on duty sixteen hours, where there
should be three for twenty-f0ur hours.
and these are deducted from the regular
patrol. The same holds good as to Dean
wood. lexington, and Harlem; and other
posts have details which reduce the patrol
force proper
Guards are not provided for the work
house or House OF Detention, nor watch
men for the District building. nor inspect
ors for special work-the burden falls
upon the police department. detracting
from its morale and efficiency. Mai. Syl-
vestsr says. and asks an increase of
ninety-four privates to his force
Housing of Force.
The superintendent structures upon the
housing OF the force are no less severe
He is ironical when he says: TO place
prisoners in the present lily adapted
stations and subsequent taking OF them
70 court partakes Of a double penalty"
What with one station house erected IN
ente-beIlum days, and three others con-
demned as unfit by health authorities.
police surgeons and citizens commit
tees, the department IS n n bad way 50
far as maintenance Is concerned.
AS TO the present First precinct af-
fair which IS the central police station.
Il IS hopelessiy behind the needs OF the
force. and should be replaced with a new
building where all branches OF the ser
vice could be concentrated, and with the
latest improved places for confinement Of
prisoners. with an armory, baths, and
detention room for women" he adds.
THxicab Rates.
The question OF taxicab rates IS taken
Up IN Maj. Sylvester's discussion OF traf-
hc regulation. and II IS urged that tests
be made to verify the accuracy Of the tax
imetsr- II IS Yet a question If the pres
ent rates are not too high.
The private livery stable drivers and
chaheurs ought to be licensed, and their
conduct should be more carefully regu-
lated. The law should be amended so as
to require all such employees 10 remain
within. upon, or within five feet Of their
vehicles az all times while waiting for
patrons The same provisions should be
made 10 apply 70 those who drive or Ope-
rate vehicles for public OF private hire
Maj. Sylvester favOrs an asylum for IN
ebriates, and also strict censorship of bill
board posters. He thinks both risQue pic
lures and those Of the "DeadwoOd Dick
order should be blue-penciled-
Carrying of Weapons.
Residents OF the District who wish 20
purchase or TO carry revoIvers and other
deadly weapons should be allowed TO do
so only upon application 10 the District
assessor. and after report by the police
thinks the superintendent. He
points out there were 81 concealed weap-
on cases in the past year as against 80.
the previous year. and draws the moral
that the imposition o. fines has done little
to cure the evil
He proposes q law which viii license
the revolver purchaser and designate the
place where the weapon is 10 be kept.
II the weapon Is sold. loaned. OF given
away. the fact must be reported. and It
must not be sold, loaned. or given to
minors
The dealers in deadly weapons should
also be under stringent regulations under
the law, Maj. Sylvester advocates.
There were 33415 arrests made IN the
fiscal year ended June 80 last. and the
is weli-satisfed with his
men The attention to duty and general