Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-16
MADE BEST SHOWING
Fifth Police Precinct Winner
of Prize Flag.
ANNUAL INSPECTION TEST
Maj. Sylvester Notifies Department.
Of the Result-Points Gov
cred in Examination.

Capt George E. Williams and Lieut..
James A. Duvali OF the fifth police pre-
cinct are receiving congratulations today
because their precinct made the best
showing at the recent annual inspection
Their victory means that the precinct Is
to be presented with the Wight flag, to
be held during the year.
Maj. Sylvester notified the captain or
the precinct of the victory won by his
command. the flag to be awarded because
Of the following
l. Best presentation of a section of Of
ficers and men prepared for duty
2. The cleanest station house, aside
from the construction of the building
3. The best ventilated cell corridor
4. The best condition of dormitpries and
linen.
,. The best display of snap. prompt
ness and reliable responses to interrosa-
tories propounded concerning the manual
and the police regulations.
g. The best all-round officer-like APP
pearance of officers and men.
Letter to the Precincts.
In a letter sent to the captains of the
several precincts this afternoon Maj Syl-
vester states:
During the recent inspection of the
several police precinct station houses in
the District of Columbia by the ma jor
and superintendent, Col. Burton r. Ross.
from the War Department. and a COM
mittee of citizens representing the Cham
Der Of Commerce and the Board OF Trade
1t was observed that one omission was
paramount to other matters for criticism
In this, that the cell corridors in station
houses are not ventilated to the extent
that they might be In order to contribute
to the better welfare of those who may
be confined within the cells.
THE disadvantages In construction and
Anticipated means for heating were taken
into consideration in this conclusion. but
there Is no question but what better ven
tilation might be had. and at the same
time protect the prisoner from exposure
to draughts
Exercise Of Judgment.
4All windows In the corridor on either
side should not be open at one time,
thereby creating a draught, but good
Judgment would dictate that while the
cells in one part OF the corridor are oc-
cupied the windows should be closed when
the weather warrants, and ventilation
cured from the openings at the other end
Of the corridor.
mo order from headquarters can fix any
uniform scale for ventilating these places.
but your judgment must prevail and the
ventilation be had.
THE second point that made an inn
preston was, in one instance In particu-
lar. at the first precinct station. that OF
a spread on a bed which was badly torn
and wholly unsightly.
In many of the dormitories, while there
was variation in the manner of making
up the beds. that was not so bad as the
display in some instances of Soiled pill
low slips and sheets, and, in two or three
houses it was observed that the rule
against throwing burned matches on the
floor and in the Railways was violated.
Duty Of Janitors.
1T is not that the major and superin-
tendent desires to require more than
human hands can execute in these mat
ters. but janitors are appointed for the
purpose of keeping these station houses
in q clean and wholesome condition. and
In every instance they should have that
pride in housekeeping that would prompt
them to exert themselves to the end
that they may not feel that the criticism
of conditions Is the outgrowth of their
omissions or neglect.
From time to time the Commissioner OF
police accompanied by your Superintend-
ent. will visit the various precinct station
houses, and, in the face Of this fore
warning, I trust that you will find 1t ex-
pedient to show that the rules and regu-
lations regarding the care OF prisoners at
station houses, and all else that pertains
to the service under your charge, shall be
maintained at the highest efficiency: that
any shortcomings in this regard will
prove embarrassing to the officer in
charge OF the precinct"