Evening star., 1938-01-14
D. c. CRIME WAVE"
RE|NSTATES FUND
FOR End PRECINCT
Appropriations Subcommit-
tee to Reject Plea for
More Men, However.
RECONDITIONING OF OLD
BUILDING SCHEDULED
Involves Woman's Bureau Trans.
fer-Engle Supports Request
for Additional Personnel.
Bx JAMES E. CHINN.

Aroused over the so-called "crime
wave" in Washington, the House SUBJ
committee on District appropriations.
today stepped in to aid the Police De-
partment combat it, by deciding to
include in the 1899 supply bill funds
for re-establishment of the former
second precinct.
The old second precinct, described
by police officials as the crime cen.
ter" Of the District, covered the ter
ritory lying between North Capitol
street on the east, Seventh street NV.
on the west, K street on the south
and Florida avenue on the north. The
late police commissioner, Brig. Gen.
Herbert B. Crosby, abolished it in his
ment, by merging it with former No. 8.
For several years Police Supt.
Ernest w. Brown, supported by the
Mid-City Citizens Association, urged
re-establishment of the precinct. The
Commissioners finally approved the
plan and included an item in the 1889
estimates to carry it out. The Budget
BUREAU, HONe'eI, klIieu llle estimate.
No Additional Men.
The provision to be inserted in the
appropriation bill for the precinct will
carry salaries for captain and two
lieutenants: The remainder of the
personnel will have to be recruited
from other precincts.
The subcommittee, however. will
provide funds for reconditioning the
old second precinct station house on
Fifth street between NJ and N streets
NV, now occupied by the Woman's
Bureau. The bureau will be required
to vacate this building and relocate
in the old Police Court Building at
Sixth and D streets NV.
Maj Brown asked for funds to ap-
point 25 additional men to the force
in the coming fiscal year, but the sub
committee intends to overrule this re-
quest, feeling that sufficient men can
be drawn from the various precincts
| completely to man the re-established
second precinct with the exception Of
the commanding officers
| Sllol llldll SollAlo VI l1lC S0ONoili-
mittee is understood to be in sympathy
with the proposal of Maj. Brown to
add Is additional men to his force,
but Is reported to feel the Police
Department, which Is scheduled to
get a new headquarters building as
we'll as funds to re-establish the old
second precinct In the coming fiscal
year, will receive more benefits in the
1899 appropriation bill than any other
District department.
Engle Backs Personnel Plea.
Representative Engle. Republican, OF
Michigan, an active member of the
subcommittee, believes. however. the
department should receive all the
funds it needs to protect the public
Public safety should receive first
consideration" he declared If the
Police Department needs more mer
to combat crime. it should have them
even at the sacrifice of some needed
improvement"
The public school budget will bt
considered by the subcommittee wher
it resumes hearings this afternoon
The principal witnesses will be Super.
intendent Frank w. Ballou and mem.
bers of the board Of education.
Estimates of the Community Center
Department were reviewed yesterda,
afternoon, after which subcommitte.
members indicated another effor
would be made in the appropriation
bill this year to consolidate variou
playground and recreational agencies
1t is planned to place all child recre
ational activities under the Com
munity Center Department Of tn,
public schools. and adult activitie
under supervision Of the Municipa
Playground Department.