Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-01
WITH THE POLICE,

WI n TIE fOLlAC'
Many things of interest to members OF
the police department have happened dur
ing the wear.
There has been no increase in crime,
compared with recent years, and the de-
parment has been fortunate in arresting
many violators OF the law. Not person
charged with homicide. il is stated blythe
police, eScap ped.
There was perhaps the usual number
of petty theits. a few big robberies and
a number Of women were robbed on the
streets. some of them having been
sau,ted. Death claimed several members
of the department during the year the
more prominent having been Detectives
j. w. Mattingly and Thomas p. Hartigan
Lieut. Thomas Anderson was des gnated
to take charge of the Anacosta district.
James .arthu. Kemp, the absconding chief
clerk of the department. who disappe AIRED
III July. 1907. was captured in New Or
leans, returned and given "A sentence OF
two years IN the penitentiary.
Police Force Not Increased.
The question OF increasing the police
force was brought to public notice several
times. Representative Godfrey was
among those who took an active interest.
One suggestion was that federal glards
should be stationed at the White House
in order to release tho forty odd police
men on duty there and restore them to
street duty. 1t was also suggested that
certain other detailed officers be relieved
by the appointment of guards or watch
men to perform the duties assigned 10
them. Nothing definite was done
Maj. Sylvester failed In an effort 50
have badges of hackmen changed each
year, US is done with dog tags. The
q iy,.4 M he a
races was pleasing TO the police officials.
1t also meant less work for. the police.
Action taken by the police resulted In a
decided decrease in the number OF. OBJ
iectionable houses in the vicinity OF tie
new Municipal building.
Two policemen were assigned to duty
in connection with the enforcement OF
the child labor law. The opening Of the
new Union station called for the detail or
additional policemen The appearance OF
taxicabs and the establishment of ad-
ditional stands made additional work.
Maj. Sylvester took up the question OF
getting a pair. of dogs for use by the
police department, the New York police
having met with some success with them.
Acting under directions of the super
intendent of police, the force engaged in
a crusade against noises. One OF the
first cases taken before the Police Court =
that of a man for wlistlng-was dis
missed.
Inc opening many 6O-Fdlleu HNe-
cent theaters during the year gave the
department considerable additional work.
Black Hand After Chief.
Early in the year Maj. Sylvester receiv-
ed an alleged Black Hand letter. Police
men guarded his house until the scare was
over.
He has constantly called attention to the
inadequate number of policemen as the
reason certain sections are not properly
guarded. and has made repeated efforts
to have the force increased.
Despite its weakness, numerically.
said the superintendent OF police yester-
day. the department maintained its good
record for energetic and efficient work
during the year. The record OF arrests
will aggregate more than 5000 for the
twelve months. -
There were number Of pocketbook
snatching cases which resulted IN unusual
activity on the part of the police. Arrests
We're made in more than oue-half OF
them.
Because of numerous complaints made
about children using the% streets and
side walks on roller skates. effort was
made to put a stop to the practice Be
cause there was no regulation upon the
subject not much was accomplished. a.
The rules of the road were promulgated
in pamphlet forIa by the police depert-
ment. The most important change con-
ta aimed in the rules was the change In New
York and Pennsylvania avenues. the new
regulation declaring each OF them to be
one thoroughfare instead Of two, as there
tofore.
The annual Inspection Of the members
of the police department resulted in the
Wight trophy being won by the fourth
precinct. That precinct won II the pre-
ceding year
Mai Sylvester was elected president OF
the International Association of Police
Chiefs for the tenth successive time:
Casualties Among Police.
Policeman William f. Yetton Of the
ninth precinct was killed by being thrown
from his horse while riding along Ben
ming road. ..
Three other members Of the force were
injured in collision between a patrol
wagon and street car. They were w. II.
Buckingham, w. b. MulhaH and 4. l.
ESSeV.
Railroad employees We're blamed for the
accident The question Of responsibility
will be determined when suits are heard
in the civil courts 49,
Question was raised concerning the
speed o; ambulances belonging to hos
pitfalls. The corporation counsel held they
were not exempt.
Under a new law the interstate COM
merce commission took charge of the
pros acutons of street car companies for
violating the speed laws.
The police census showed total popula-
ton of 339, iG3, of which %, is3 were
colored.
War was made on dealers who had a
certain make of candy slot machines en-
bodying an element of chance. The fight
resulted in convictions and forfeiture OF
izances.
Early in February Representative Sims
took occasion to refer to the numerous
cases of pocketbook snatching. describing
the conditions as reign of terror" His
speech was fo lowed by Senator Allison
asking for more policemen for the Dis
trict. Shortly afterward Maj. Sylvester
.ook occasion to praise the members OF his
There was proposition made to amefd
the pension law relating TO members OF
the police When favorable action had
been taken an effort was made TO drop
the names of several pensioners from the