Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-07
proved road. would prevent the use of


bicycles.
Ger at each precinct station house for
prompt calls from citizens throughout
general approval
The application of motor vehicles has
improved general conditions In the
force and in a measure provided re-
sources which were lacking in conse-
uuence of the limited number of men.
The department has placed in opera
tion motor patrol wagons. which have
been performing a double duty in near
iy every instance One Of these ma
chimes has been in the department for
several years, and is only kept In ope-
ration by continual attention. This
Jurisdiction is far behind many OF the
leading, and even many OF the smaller
cities of the country in this regard.
That the INSTRUMENTATION Ia"
be substituted by a new one Is SUP
tect which has been earnestly r can
should be a time for retirement for ais
abilities and otherwise. In regard 70
this matter, 166 out of 500 cities anu
towns in the United States which were
sion and retirement for those employed
in the extrahazardous duties OF po-
liceman.
Harbor Precinct.
The harbor precinct has been a source
of some embarrassment to the depart
ment in that there has been numert-
cal insufaciency of men to take up the
many and growing duties which must
be performed along the Potomac river
and its tributaries. The aggregate
force of ten men must be divided be-
tween the night and the day to DO a
service embracing the many miles OF
river front and to care for the smal ian
craft located in various parts OF the
river.
The new matrons provided for the
police department will be placed IN
service within a short time: ana TINS
employment Is expected to afford some
degree of advancement In the treat
ment of the cases demanding the atten-
ton of female officers. These matrons
be used from time to time in the pre-
vention and detection of crime, as may
be necessary.
The enforcement of the Kenyon red
light law" has been effectively done.
To Facilitate Promotions.
1t has been suggested that the period
OF service Of privates Of class two be
reduced two years, when promotion
should be made to class three, and
there is much merit in the proposal 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 Sl,loo per
annum- 1t is reasonable to oeheVe
that after five years of service mem
Der of the force has become so fully
equipped in experience that he can
perform his most Intelligent work
There are now no pawnshops in the
District of Columbia, and the absence
of tlrese shops has in measure pre-
vented the police from recovering
stolen property that is now being
taken outside the jurisdiction.
Police Signals.
The department has to recommend
that the modern method Of police sig
mailing in the open be installed in the
District 1t consists, briefly, in having
attached to the patrol boxes that are
located in various points an adjunct
whereby visual and audible signals
may be made at the boxes SO as to at
tract the attention of the officer on the
beat for the purpose of affording him
emergency information or important
Instructions.
The hot-air system Of heating in
various station houses is inadequate
and should be replaced by the modern
heating. and the undermining of the
cells and cell corridors in several of
the station houses should be COM
pleted.
Decrease in Crime.
In comparing the number Of criminal
cases reported to the department it is
noted that there was q material re-
duction Of depredations of all kinds
during the fiscal year just ended, and
but twelve murders during the year
IS against twenty-five for the previous
year. The total number of cases of ar.
rests for all ohenses was 1924.
Property Recovered.
The estimated value of property and
money reported stolen was $2oO,5S447.
and the estimated amount of property
and money reported lost or mislaid
was S46.290.76. making a total of S24S.-
so5.23. There was turned into the prom
erty clerk. to be disposed of according
to law, property and money to the
estimated value of $159,4S729. There
was returned to owners autonobiIes to
the value of $3S,232. horses and wagons
TO the value of $43,57715. and misceIs
Ianeous articles to the value OF 81
1886, making a total value NJ sS3
51s.0I. ~o"'-
The efficiency of the department ba.
been manifested by the decrease In
crimes of greater magnitude. the re-
auction in the number of traffic casual
ties' and by the high percentage of
lost and stolen property recovered.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.