Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-18
FEW POLICE P[UMS
Congress Was Not Liberal to
the Districts Force.
GIVEN ONE NEW MEMBER
Provision Made for Two Promotions.
Money Voted for Replacing
Insanitary Cells.

July 1. the beginning OF the next MS
cal year, time that Is usually Of con-
siderable interest to the members Of the
police department. has few charms this
year. Congress having failed to take
much notice of the appeals for increases
and promotions. Maj. Sylvester usually
has a number of plums to be shaken from
the tree but this year the fruit is scarce.
the congressional frost having killed 1t
long before the hot weather set in.
Congress provided for the police de-
partment an increase of one patrolman
at $500, the only actual increase In the
numerical strength Of the force. Pro-
vision was made for one additional lieu
tenant and one sergeant, but as the two
positions are practically filed, there has
been no getting together for them.
Provision was made for a lieutenant
for the eleventh precinct, in Anacostia,
the position now being filled by Sergt. c.
L. Plemmons, who is designated an act
ing lieutenant. 1t is probable that he
will receive the promotion. Acting Sergt-
j. A. McQuade is in line for the other
promotion, it is said, being the senior act
ing sergeant.
Increase for Surgeons.
Four police surgeons are to receive
an increase In salary. They are now
paid $50 a month. Congress voted them
an increase to $50.
An interesting item in the appropria-
tion bill available July l is one of $751;
$50. This money is to be expended in
the first, fourth, sixth and ninth pre-
cincts in the construction OF steel
cages to Supplant the dark and dreary
Anticipated structures in which prison
ers have been detained during past
years.
Many complaints have been made
about the holding of human beings in
the dark holes in the four precincts.
the cells in the first precinct having
been especially Objectionable. They
were made, so it is thought. because
of the great number OF Intoxicated and
persons otherwise Objectionable hav-
ing been their occupants.
1t is probable that Maj. Sylvester
will ask that the work Of putting the
cell rooms in sanitary condition be
started as soon after the beginning Of
the fiscal year as possible He realizes
that they are hardly fit places in which
TO detain persons under arrest. he says.
and he regrets that the work was not
done years ago.
Maj Sylvester favored abandoning
the first precinct station in order that
a modern structure TO be known as
the central station should take its
place in the business section Of the
city but Congress failed to appropriate
vision only for the installation Of steel
cages.
In an attempt to interest the Com
missioners in the matter OF getting rid of
the old structure and providing a suit
able place for prisoners, Maj. Sylvester
said:
New Building Urged.
THE house stands within the shadow
OF the new city post Office, just south
Of Pennsylvania avenue, where 1t was
erected years ago after foundation had
been obtained by driving piles. Dark,
damp. aged and contracted, this building
OF persons, much less as domicile for
the members of the fore. who must sleep
there when on reserve duty. This build
ing has been condemned by the police
surgeons. Strong and hardy members of
the force have succumbed to disease by
having to make this building their quar-
tiers. Malaria, typhoid and kindred
troubles have resulted from officers be-
Ing housed there. modern station should
be erected 70 take Its place.
The government should dispose of the
lot on which the present building stands
and replace the stationon elevated ground
IL should be of such character as to
not only furnish central station, with
all improvements and requirements, but
be OF such proportions as to afford an
armory for police purposes. There should
be drill hall, gymnasium. bathing pool,
and such contingents as would contribute
10 the health and strength Of the men.
physically and mentally. II is indeed
lamentable to find cities of smaller size
than Washington we'll equipped in this
respect while the District has not a police
headquarters building 1t can cali Its
own"
Having been unable to get a new build
ing, Maj. sylvester asked for money to
| install steel cage. and that was pro-
vided Referring 10 the conditions at
the sixth precinct, the chief Of police
told the Commissioners that the captain
OF the precinct had been told that hard
| ened criminals had declared the cells
| were the worst ones in which they had
| ever seen.
| The construction of steel cages In the
| Precincts will enable the department to
have such portions of the building in san
| itary condition in the future, and OBJ
| jecuonable and dangerous odors will be
eliminated.