Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-15
Maj. Sylvester, in Annual Re-
port, Shows Fewer Crimes of
Greater Magnitude.
TRAFFIC CASUALTIES
DECREASED IN NUMBER
Higher Percentage Of Lost and
Stolen Property Restored to
Owners Last Year.

Duf Tire hSCdl year cHueu uHS oV,
1914. the police made total of 1924
arrests, according to the annual report
of Maj. Sylvester, chief of police, which
was submitted to the Commissioners
today The report states that about
SO per cent of the persons arrested
were colored. There are no recon-
mendations for increases in salaries
made in the report, but, it is stated, a
few increases may be suggested later.
On the whole, the work of the de-
partment has been the most satisfac-
tory for many years. SO far as is shown
by statistics, the crimes of greater
magnitude having decreased. the num-
Der of traffic casualties being reduced
and a high percentage of the lost and
stolen property recovered, the report
states.
Referring to the regulation of traffic.
Maj. Sylvester states in the report that
many accidents to pedestrians are due
to their failure to cross at the eStab-
lished crossings at intersecting streets,
and others by their failure to observe
the signal of the traffic policeman.
when they should move in the direction
of traffic
The report continues:
Safety for Pedestrians.
THE department has had lines estab-
lished at the more important street
intersections, with view of affording
a constant object lesson as to what Is
desired of pedestrians in order to at
ford them greater safety, and also to
the end that automobiles may stop at
.he outer lines when so slgnaled Dy
the officer at the intersection.
with a view of Improving conditions
about the curbs in the congested dis
tricts. which for the past two or three
years have been SO taken up with
waiting vehicles as to prevent pa
irons of business houses from ap-
preaching their destination, the Com
missioners have effected-experiment-
ally, as 1 understand-several changes
in the traffic regulations, which now
provide for only a temporary parking
of vehicles within this congested dis
.sWhile the same has not afforded
complete satisfaction to those who con-
duct motor vehicles and must maintain
them within reasonable distance of
their places of business throughout the
day, the effort Is one in the direction
Of progress, and this department is en-
deavoring to work out further satisfac-
ton to the citizen, for protection as
well as accommodation in the daily
routine of affairs. The prohibition
regulation prevails in many of the
cities OF the country today.
"The department renews its recon-
mendation that the speed law be
amended to the end that the Commits
may have full power and authority to
establish the rate of speed throughout
the various streets, avenues and sub
urban sections of the Jurisdiction IN
order to meet the advancing conditions
presented since the original law was
made effective.
Traffic Casualties.
The total number of traffic casual
ties during the year was 2,2O4, OF
which 932 were due to motor vehicles,
157 to bicycles. fourteen to steam rail-
roads, sos to street railways and 4ss
to other vehicles. OF these accidents.
thirty-six resulted in death. there being
four less fatalities than the previous
year, and very satisfactory reouction
in the number of casualties in many
ways.
crease of twenty nine accidents Tor the
wear: in bicycles there was reduction
of twenty-two; steam railroads. there
80 reduction of seven; streets rail-
ways- there was a. reduction of al, and
in ali other vehicles there was q re-
duction of fifty-four over the previous
year" ~,
motor cycle and bicycle policemen ag-
gregated S,Os7, while the fines imposed
in the cases amounted 10 Sf1,oEO.
Mai. Sylvester gives the census ng,
ures for the year 1913 as 353.291, and
suggests that the population this year
uroba bly, is not far short of 360,00o
During the year. the changes IN the
force numbered 81, s of whom resigned
of whom were removed as result OF
trials. of whom died and IL of whom
we're retired under the provisions OF
the existing pension law. In line OIL
discipline, there were 1855 hearings pc
fore the trial board or the major and
superintendent, which is a slight IN
crease over the previous year, but 1t Is
pleasing to note that under the great
and many demands made upon the
force that the department of the mem
bers was most excellent.
Would Consolidate Police.
Mai. Sylvester renewed his recon-
mendation for a consolidation of the
park police and crossing policemen
with the city department. He suggests
that all three departments should be
subject to the same rules and regula-
tons.
Il is recommended that the law be
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.