Evening star., 1923-09-05
PRECINCT COURTS HERE
URGED BY SULLIVAN
CONTINUED from First Page.)

a cell for several hours-a very un-
businesslfke arrangement.
"Te remedy this situation i is pro-
posed that magistrates shall de-
termine the cases at the several sta
ton houses every morning and
evening. These officers should each
have a clerk and keep a docket.
mnaer prper such %ous se 'ss
promptly and the witnesses and men,
bers of the force avoid delay"
Hits weapon Carriers.
Strong Recommendations are made
by Mai. Sullivan that Jail sentences
without reserve or recourse" be
meted out to persons convicted of
carrying concealed weapons. and that
the laws be amended to restrict the
sale and possession of deadly and
dangerous weapons. He also urges
that ehiropractors, osteopaths and
other practitioners of the various
branches of medicine and surgery be
regulated by law so as to safeguard
the public against Quacko and ineA-
perienced persons; that the police de-
partment be given more control over
the supervision Of public dance halls;
that the city guides be licensed, and
that steps be taken to prohibit fake
auction sales.
Maj Sullivan gratifyingly reported
that there was a decrease in crime
in the District during the last fiscal
year. There were 2,341 cases held by
! the courts, he pointed out, as COM
pared witiN 2,51o the preceding year.
There were 6e,75S arrests made dur
| ing the year. Under the Sheppard
| law arrests were made in pa instan-
ces where persons were charged with
! drinking in public places, s,36S per-
sons drunk in public places. and 504
where the charge was operating a
vehicle while drunk.
Ba,s.s Minor Charges.
The total number of cases where
misdemeanor was charged aggregated
63,s7S, of which number 37,613 were
white and 26,2s5 colored. OF this
number I,520 cases were nolle pressed,
1851 cases dismissed and 56,7e7 eases
held by the court as against 51,474 for
the preceding year.
There were 2,SS0 cases of arrests
[ for criminal offenses and of this num-
I! ber 2,S4l were held upon hearing in
court, the remainder either being dis
; posed of by refusal to prosecute or
! by failing to maintain the charge.
An increase was reported in the num-
| ber of cases of robbery, there being 155
cases held as against l37 for the pre-
! ceding year.
A renewed plea for an increase in the
I u,
| Mai Sullivan declaring that at no
period In the history of the District of
| Columbia have the requirements of a
| full quota of police guardians been more
| urgently felt that at present" There is
a great need for additional men in the
suburban districts, he said, while in the
/ city extensive beats have made IL i'm
possible for one or even two men to SO
patrol the area assigned to them as to
| give adequate protection to the Iesi-
dents.
Asks Central station.
| Mai. Sullivan described as one Of
the greatest needs OF the department
new central station, which could
be used not only as home Of the
first precinct, but also by the detec.
tive bureau, (which occupies ten rooms
in the District building. The new
central station also would include
quarters for a training school for re-
| cruits entering the force. and the
Headquarters Of the administrative
officers OF the department.
A glowing tribute to the personnel
I of the force is paid by the police
chief for their work throughout the
wear and especially during the Shrine
convention. To the report Is append
ed a number Of letters from prominent
men commencing the police for the
manner in which 1T handled the great
| Shrine eonclave crowds.