Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-03
Night Schools.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The free Public Library report is this
year devoted almost exclusively to pro-
posals for future branch library de-
velopment. Such proposals are set
library trustees the report OF the
librarian to the trustees, and in 4 spe-
cial report Of the librarian made to
the Commissioners at their request.
response to the COMMISSIONER request.
is a comprehensive statement involving
the entire future development OF the
public library system Of the District
The librarian states that the use OF the
present resources of the Public Library
involves for the large majority OF the
population Of the District long street.
car journeys. and points out that the
library can never serve the population
of the District as it should until there
is afforded within reasonable walking
distance of the home of each resident
some distributing agency of the il
brary. He believes that the library
needs of the District can best be metz
first. by a system of separate branch IL
braries in the thicl<ly buiit-up portions
OF the District. roughly old Washing
and apartment-house district OF the
northwest; and, second. by q system
of branches in public-school buildings.
particularly the suburban schools. In
portions Of the District not served
through separate branch libraries.
The Commissioners indorse the plans
Of the library trustees and librarian
for the extension Of library facilities
of the entire population of the Dis
trict by the development OF the propos-
ed system of separate branch libraries,
supplemented by series Of small
branches in public school buildings.
Metropolitan Police.
The year 1917 will go down in the his.
tory Of the country and of the Metro
Never in the history Of the police d.
partment of the District of ColumbfA
have the members OF the force been
called upon to perform 20 many TIM
Germ both to the people OF the District
of Columbia and to the federal gov.
eminent. Because of the many gov
ernmental activities conferred 1t WasA-
for all kinds Of police service, per-
haps no other police department in the
United States during the period Of the
war will be called upon to perform
duties SO numerous or 80 important rs
those which have been and are being
performed by the Metropolitan police
in the nations capital.
One step after another has been made
|
may come up atsany moment during
the war. The department has, been
strengthened. Congress for the nrst
time in many years appropriated for an
have been absorbed into the depart
ment as quickly as they could be
secured in the face of the great DIM
Guilty caused by industry giving ex-
higher for young mems services. Many
good young men, approaching oppor-
tunity for public service and the pro-
lection given to the families Of police
under the new pension law, however.
entered the department. After giving
the men a coarse in the training school
they were assigned to strengthen forces
in the various precincts. The men have
been instructed by their superior
officers on the methods Of police work
and the Importance of care in handling
each and every situation which might
relate in any way to the welfare OF the
government during the time it il At
war.
of the department. through the courtesy
Of Maj P. P. Bishop. Capt. J. b. Gil
lespie and Capt. O. T. Snyder. three OF
the best revolver and rifle shots in the
United States Army. were taken through
IA course in both revolver and rife
practice.
Because of the vast amount of work
which the police department of WASH
ington is called upon to render to the
federal government at all times, and
because of the important details which
must be handled perfectly on all occa-
sions when high officials Of the govern
ment or large crowds are present. there
is still great need OF a much. larger
force Of police in the city. No capital
OF any great nation in the world has
SO small a police force as the District
Of Columbia. and in no capital IL the
requirement for all kinds of police
service more varied and more urgent
Home Defense League.
One of the most important new
features of work undertaken by the
police department during the year was
the organization of the Home Defense
League as a step in the campaign of
preparedness for war emergency
service.
William Phelps Emo of this city. who
has given assistance to police depart
ments in the United States and Europe
for over a period of seventeen years
during his study Of street trafic' reRula-
lions, was invited to become the director
OF the Home Defense League, and upon
his acceptance and appointment active
work upon the organization of the
league was begun. Assisting Mr., Emo
In the organization of the league were
Mr.. Odell S. Smith and Mr.. William
John Eynon. working as deputy direc-
tors. Mr.. Harry F. Almond was made
secretary and Mr.. e. B. Hesse, treasurer.
Total Arrests Made.
The work of the department In en-
forcing law in cases where II was
necessary to make arrests was again