Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-27
.ASKSFORINCREASE
IN POLICE FORCE
Mai. Pullman Also Urges High
er Pay for Men Of the De-
partment.



the war Mai Pullman declares that no
capital of any great nation in the world
has SO small a police force as has wash
ington, and in no capital is the require
ment for all kinds OF police service more
varied and more urgent
Congress helped the situation material
~ by providing legislation which auded
log men to the personnel OF the depart
nent, bringing the quota for the nscal
year 1917-191s up to SCI, but this num-
Der is not adequate to meet the demands
made upon the department. he asserts
Reference is made to the visits OF the
British, French, Italian. Belgian and
Japanese missions. when 1t was neces-
sary to have at the time OF their ar
rival nearly 800 men along the line OF
parade handling the great crowds and
giving thorough protection to the dlstin-
suished guests.
Also Urges Increased Pay.
experimenting his recommendation
for larger force, the major and super
intendent also urges increased pay for
policemen. There should be better sal
aries for men of all ranks. and it Is
especially important, he asserts. that
the salaries of beginners be increased
from $500 per annum, or SO month,
the present basic scale, to Si,pSV~ per
annum, or $50 a month.
1t is recommended that as far as pos
sible the salaries be raised to the So
N.
Francisco" scale. In all three of these
cities the police are better paid and
salaries have been fixed which offer an
incentive to the best work from men
in all ranks, the report states.
The best paid privates in the Wash
ington department now receive q basic
salary of 81 200 per year, or $3.50 with
the per cent increase appropriated by
Congress added, whereas New York is
just about to increase its basic scale OF
81, 46O a year for privates in the high
est class to 81 $50.
While such increases may seem high
to some persons, yet, in view of the
greatly increased cost of living. the in
creasingly high standard of work
which the average policeman is called
upon to perform in the National Cap
ital and the necessity of obtaining the
very best men possible TO perform po-
lice service. the highest salaries should
be asked, the report contends.
Other Recommendations.
Other recommendations contained in
the summary of the years work are
that there be created a traffic branch,
with captain, lieutenant and three
Sergeants; that three additional police
women be appropriated for, and provi-
sion be made for a central police sta
tion and purchase of ground for a house
of detention, the latter institution now
being housed in rented quarters
It is urged that the police be given au-
thority to regulate more strictly sales
of firearms of all kinds. In this con-
nection Maj Pullman proposes a law
which would make it necessary for
every person to make written applica-
ton to dealer for purchase of fire.
arm. and that delivery not be made for
from ten to thirty days, to give time
for investigation.
The report discusses the organization
of the Homo Defense League, under the
general direction of the police depart
ment: goes into the details of the
handling of the last inauguration
crowd; tells of the extra work placed
on the department during the street
car strike and the registration for the
work in connection with the Confed-
crate Veterans reunion and describes
other important and unusual duties
that devolved upon the police during
the course of the year.
Outline of Crime Statistics.
Crime statistics make up a portion Of
the report 1t is shown that the total
number of arrests made for all Of
fences was 1862, as against 39,377 in
1916. OF this number 5s.2S per cent
were white, as against $3.50 per cent In
1916, and 41.72 per cent were colored, as
against $3.50 per cent, in the preceding
year. OF the total number of arrests,
s.742 were for violations IF the traffic
regulations.
The steady increase in the percent.
OF arrests made" Maj Pullman states
Indicates that the police as whole
are using greater care in getting evil
dence and are not making arrests ex-
cept where the best information is OBJ
tanned that laws are being violated"
The percentage of acquirtals was only
3.S9. as compared with 4.S9 in 1916 and
5-66 in 1915. and the percentage of
cases nolle pressed was only a,73. as
compared with 3.34 in 1916 and 437 in
1915.
Continuing its analysis Of arrests
made. the report shows that of those
charged under the law during the year
23.O5S were white and 1884 coiored
persons; that 35,951 were males and
1871 females: that s7.979 were able to
read and write and 1,53S were not able
TO read and write.
Increase in Work Noted,
Tho work in the detective bureau Al
we'll as that in most of the precincts
also was greatly increased. the number
OF arrests Increasing from 2,516 in 1916
to 1855 in 1917
THE increase in the number OF ar
rests OF persons charged with seriou.
crime is in the figures showing felony
srss.s ZOE Tour years In 1915 the
1859, as compared with 1881 in 1917
and in 1914 the arrests for feIonies
numbered only LISP"
LOnering an interesting coincidence.
murders committed in the District was
the same as in the preceding wear.
Twenty-four persons met death at the
hands OF others in each year The de-
partment cleared up twenty-three Of
the twentyfour murders, and beside.
was able to apprehend four murderers
who had escaped arrest in former
years. 1t is stated.
Recovery Of Lost Property.
Il was successful year for the d.
partnent in the matter Of recovery Of
lost property. according to the sta
ttsties given. Property to the amount
OF $426. was reported stolen. lost
or mislaid, and Of this amount s25l.-
6e7.7s was recovered, as against the re-
covery OF s2o4.s4ss7. in 1916. There
Was also recovered property stolen in
other jurisdictions to the value OF s17.-
isis. corresponding figures for the
year previous being $5.4I034.
Death came to seven members OF the
department during the year, nineteen
me nresigned, as a result Of trials be-
fore the trial board three men were
disnissed from the force and nine