Evening star., 1913-12-03
POLICE Department.

The metropolitan police force of the
District of Columbia for the year ended
June 80, 1913, comprised 100 members.
of whom 647 were privates. divided into
three classes. according to years of serv-
ice. The District is divided into eleven
precincts, each in command of a captain.
The patrol effectiveness of the force
was reduced by the assignment for post
duty" and details to special service of
116 of these privates, in accordance with
law and necessity, which has prevailed
for many years. The available patrol
force of all kinds and grades thus left
for the entire jurisdiction was All priv
ates. without deducting the sick and alb
sent on leave. which on the last day of
the year aggregated forty-six.
Thus. the available average daily
patrol force" for the year was about
425 members. who, when divided into IRE
liefs," giving a double strength during
the period of darkness. allowed a
patrol Of about los by day and 2lG by
night. The use Of members of the police
force for special and post duties Is not
exceptional to this territory, but prevails
in all large cities of the country.
The force was reduced eleven members
by resignation, removal. death and re-
tirement As a. result of legislative en-
actment, the force of privates. originally
$50 in number. is in course of reduction
until it shall have reached a strength of
but $40; consequently. none of the vacan-
cies SO caused can be filled.
Bicycle and Motor Cycle Service.
The bicycle force is primarily employed
in the enforcement of the speed law and
traffic regulations throughout the busi-
ness and residential sections. while the
motor cycles are used to cover the SUBJ
urban roads and unimproved outlying
streets and Rock Creek Park.
Traffic Casualties.
The record of casualties the result
Of vehicle movements for the year EN-
phasizes the need of sufficient force for
the intelligent enforcement of the traf-
fic regulations.
The existing speed law should be SO
amended as to afford the Commission
ers authority to fix the rate Of travel
at different points in the District as
advancing and changing conditions
may justify. The Commissioners should
be enabled to reduce the license enjoyed
by drivers who use the alleyways in the
District, through which many of them
proceed at an unusual and peace-dis-
turbing speed
The increasing number of motor We
hcles which make the curbs of con-
gested business streets parking places
for hours, to the embarrassment of
commercial houses and annoyance of
patrons. calls for regulation
Inaugural Period.
The police department has been high
ly commended by the grand marshal.
Gen. Leonard Wood. and many others
in representative stations for it's serv-
ice in connection with the ceremonies
attending the presidential inaugural
the largest and most enthusiastic oc-
casion of the kind There were no seri-
Gus assaults. The increase popula-
ton of the District on the occasion ag-
gregated over half million OF people,
as reported through transportation
sources, and but few trifling accidents
were reported to the police or hos
pitals.
Street r. r. Transportation of Police
The deprivation of free street rail-
way transportation to members OF the
police force is working a hardship to
them. because OF the long distances to
and from the courts. between points to
which they may be detailed and back
and forth to their homes. The decision
in this respect entails upon the MEM
bers a new expenditure varying from
81 to $15 per month, averaging $6 or 81
per month each. The Commissioners
have recommended legislation to pro-
vide such conveyance.
Promotions.
1t has been suggested that the period
of service Of privates of class two be
reduced to a period Of two years. when
promotions should be had to class
three. If the existing law be so changed
it would reduce the length Of service
from eight to five years before original
appointees to the force would receive
remuneration at the rate Of 81. 200 per
annum There is every reason to be-
lieve that after five years Of service a
member Of the force has become fully
equipped, and has reached a point when
he should perform the most useful
work. which Is worth the present maxi
mum salary.
Motor Vehicles and Police Service.
The police departments everywhere
are undermining in the application Of
the motor vehicle. for the reason that
it is expeditions, is saving in expenses
Of maintenance and ability afforded to
compete with other modern appliances
that may be used in law or regulation
violations. and during the winter season.