The poundmaster has had in such instances no power to make an arrest. It is believed that this proposed new authority will serve both a psychological and a practical purpose in protecting the poundmaster in the pursuance of his perilous duties. Let it be remembered that the former poundmaster was killed in line of duty. MEMORANDUM OUTLINING THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA POUNDMASTER 1. The qualifications necessary for the position of poundmaster are tact, judgment, administrative ability, and knowledge of the diseases of dogs and other animals, particularly rabies and distemper. Knowledge of the former disease is necessary in order that it may be determined whether the animal should be examined by the Bureau of Animal Industry. The poundmaster must also be able to determine whether the animal has distemper or any of the minor contagious diseases, such as the itch or the mange, so that proper precautionary measures may be taken to prevent infection of the other animals. 2. The disposal of all dogs, other than those redeemed or sold, is accomplished through a process of asphyxiation by means of carbonized gas smoke. To produce a high percentage carbonized fume that will insure painless death requires, it is submitted, some chemical skill. 3. All captured animals are, by law, held for 48 hours. If several claimants appear for the same animal, the poundmaster must act as judge and jury in ascertaining the true owner. 4. If no claimant appears within the 48-hour period prescribed by law, the animal is either killed or sold, at the discretion of the poundmaster. The sale may, under act of Congress, be either a private sale or a public sale. In case of public sale the poundmaster acts as auctioneer. This is a quite frequent occurrence. 5. When it is considered that the poundmaster has under his supervision seven employees and that the pound comprises a group of buildings, such as kennels, garages, and offices, covering an area of about a quarter of a city block, and is entirely separate and distinct from any other group of Government buildings, it is evident that the poundmaster, to do his work well, must possess administrative ability. 6. The poundmaster must render daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports of his various activities to the District health officer. A report of fees collected must also be made every day to the District tax collector. This is clearly an administrative function. 7. The poundmaster is twice a bonded officer. One bond is given to insure the District of Columbia from any loss resulting from a failure to properly perform his duties as poundmaster; and the other bond is given to the United States to insure the faithful performance of his duties as a notary public. The notarial authority is required in order to legalize the sale of animals and to expedite the business of the pound. No fee can be charged by the poundmaster for such service. Yet the poundmaster must pay the premiums for both bonds out of his meager salary. 8. Congress has specifically placed upon the poundmaster the duty of enforcing the pound laws. The decision, therefore, as to whether there is a violation of law must, in each instance, be made by him. An error of judgment may involve him as well as the District of Columbia in a court action for seizure of personal property without due process of law. 9. The poundmaster, as the executive head of his subdivision and responsible for its efficient functioning, is practically always on duty. He is subject to calls at all hours, and is practically a 24-hour man. The clerical work in connection with the position must frequently, for want of time, be done at home at nights or on Sundays. 10. The field duties of the position are frequently more hazardous than those of the Metropolitan police. Unlike the police, the poundmaster is given neither a pistol nor a pension. The present incumbent has on several occasions been assaulted and injured. 11. During the past 10 years the expansion of the District of Columbia and the consequent increase in its dog population have unquestionably doubled the work of the poundmaster. The records of the tax office during the 10 years the present incumbent has been poundmaster show an increase in yearly revenues from pound fees and dog licenses of from $18,961.44 to $39,321.10, a net increase of approximately $20,000, or over 100 per cent. The number of licensed dogs during this period increased from 7,140 to 19,155. This showing is, in large measure, attributable to the activity of the poundmaster in the enforcement of the laws, and was accomplished without additional facilities or cost to the Government and only after a hard fight against stern opposition from the public. 71ST CONGRESS SENATE 2d Session { REPORT No. 724 NAVY DEPARTMENT AND NAVAL SERVICE APPRO PRIATION BILL, FISCAL YEAR 1931 May 26, 1930.—Ordered to be printed Mr. PHIPPS, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 12236] The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 12236) making appropriations for the Navy Department and the naval service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1931, and for other purposes, reports the same to the Senate with various amendments, and presents herewith information relative to the changes made: Amount of bill as passed House... Amount added by Senate (net) - - Amount of bill as reported to Senate... Amount of regular and supplemental estimates for 1931. Amount of appropriations, 1930... The bill as reported to Senate $380, 571, 511 97, 875 380, 669, 386 382, 272, 676 362, 185, 027 Exceeds the appropriations for 1930. 18, 484, 359 Under the estimates for 1931__ 1, 603, 290 INCREASE Temporary government for West Indian Islands..... Naval Reserve: To provide sufficient funds to meet expenses incident to reserve aviation activities.... Naval War College: $200,000 140, 000 Contingencies of the president of the War College... 1,000 Bureau of Yards and Docks: Naval air station, Lakehurst, N. J., reerection of dirigible hangar.. 75,000 Marine Corps: Pay and allowances of assigned men of the Marine Corps Reserve (to provide sufficient funds to care for 3,315 men in this class of the reserve). Total increase_ DECREASE Bureau of Supplies and Accounts: Fuel and transportation. (A reduction of $336,000 is made possible by a reduction in cost of fuel). 17,875 433, 875 $336, 000 97, 875 380, 669, 386 |