Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-27
CITIZENS EXPRESS REGRET
ASSOCIATION COMPLIMENTS
RETIRING COMMISSIONERS.
W. v. Cox Endorsed for One of the
Positions to Be Vacated-Maj.
Sylvester's Address.

Ma. Richard Sylvester, superintendent
Of the metropolitan police. was a guest
and the principal speaker at a meeting of
the Brightwood Park Citizens Association
last night in Van Horns Hall, corner
Longfellow street and Georgia avenue.
The meeting was largely attended, men,
bers and officers of several of the suburban
citizens associations being present
The association expressed regret at the
approaching retirement from Official life
Of Commissioners II. B. f. Mcfarland
and Henry L. West. Appreciation was
also expressed at the consideration Of re-
quests during their terms In Office
Approaching the fact that the mile limit
as applied to the Soldiers Home years ago
has worked so greatly TO the moral and
material upbuilding Of the neighborhood
affected thereby, the association adopted
urging similar legislation with respect to
the new Walter Reed Army Hospital at
Takoma Junction, on Georgia avenue.
Change in Form Of Government.
President William Nick. Clayton ad-
dressed the meeting and presented reso-
luton, which was adopted, ratifying and
affirming the former stand taken by the
association on the proposed change in the
form Of government for the District and
believing in the commission form of gov
eminent; board of commissioners COM
posed of seven members to be elected by
duly qualified voters with educational test
Of the strictest sort impartially applied.
William Y. Cox was Endorsed for ap-
pointment District Commissioner in
a resolution presented and adopted, cop
les of which are to be sent to the pres-
dent
The association went on record in favor
of prohibiting by municipal regulations
foot ball as played at present. considering
it a dangerous and vicious sport. The
Commissioners will be informed Of the &C
ton. The resolution was presented by
George Francis Williams.
A. II. Hollidge was elected an active
member.
President Clarence F. Eorment of the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany informed the association that ex-
ira cars had been placed in service with
view to relieving the crowded condi-
tons complained Of.
Inadequate Police Force.
Maj. Sylvester was then introduced by
President Clayton. The speaker spoke On
the inadequate police protection in the
District, and compared the area covered
by the local police department with those OF
the other large cities of the United States.
He emphasized the necessity OF a larger
force in order to keep pace with the rapid
growth Of the District. With the pres
ent force Of $50 men, 1t narrowed down to
between 100 and 300 men for active duty
In patrolling the city, after allowance
had been made for those detached for
special duty, men on leave and sickness.
He gave the residents of that section an
idea of the area of the various precincts
and the necessity for giving suburban
residents the same protection which Is
given to those residing In the thickly pop
ulateGf sections. Washington, he said, is
the third largest police jurisdiction in
the United States, while the ratio Of men
per thousand people is the lowest Of many
of the larger cities. Washington Is a
model city, but. its police force is far
from being a model force. owing to its
inadoquacy in numbers. He read COM
parison of the standing Of Washington
with the other cities Of the country.
At the conclusion of his address buff
fet lunch was served.