The Washington times., 1894-12-03
THREE LIEUTENANTS MAY GO
Latest Information as to Prospective
Police Department Changes.
PENSION FUND AN OBSTACLE
Veteran sergeants May Also BE Found Among
the Missing-Not More Than Three or Four
Patrolmen Marked-sergt. Daley's Casei in
Doubt Meeting of Police Pensioners.

In reference to the coming changes in the
police department, THE TIMES has it from the
most reliable authority that the early retire.
ment of two, and probably three. lieutenants
has been decided upon. Several of the older
sergeants will also, it is said, be placed on
the retired list. Sergt. John c. Daley will be
reprimanded, cautioned, and probably re-
duced to the ranks, and from three to four
patrolmen, now under charges, will be dis
missed.
The lieutenants whose names are whispered
as the ones to be retired on pensions are Cess
ford, of the Eighth precinct, and Kelly, of the
Sixth, with Vernon. of the Fourth precinct. as
the third man or probability. 1t is not in
tended to retire these experienced officers
for cause, but to say to them, in the language
of the Scriptures: ''Well done thou good and
faithful servants, take thy reward, which
will be a monthly allowance for life." The
three lieutenants mentioned are from the
'Old guard" of the police force. They have
been on constant duty since the olden days
of the auxiliary guard, and the long-coated
watchman, with his lantern and cudgel. who
went about over his long beat crying out dur
ing the candlelight hours: Twelve clock,
and alrs we'll" Their retirement was also
decided upon in order to stimulate the
younger men on the force blythe tonic OF pro-
motion.
As retirement means a pension, and not
dismissal the lieutenants mentioned Will not
be disturbed until the depleted pension fund
| is replenished by action OF Congress. The
| fund is now at the lowest ebb possible, there
! being practically no money II the Treasury
| to its credit. The police pensioners all re-
| ceiyed reduced amounts for their November
payment, the larger portion being given TO
! the women and children and unless some
ways and means are devised at once to raise
money, some OF those now dependent upon
| it may become charges on the city.
With this serious problem in view, it has
| been decided among the seventy-two pen
sioners 10 hold a meeting within the next
! few days and take some sort OF action.
! One of the propositions to be decided
upon will be the giving of grand police
/ ball It is thought the amount thus
raised will be sufficient to tide over until Con-
! gress can take steps to provide Tor perma-
nent fund. The police history, written by
! Chief Clerk Richard Sylvester, netted the fund
/ about $1,000, but this has all been absorbed
! by the monthly payments. Mr. Sylvester IS
| taking a deep interest in the efforts to replen-
! ish the pension fund, ana will no doubt sup
ply some valuable suggestions at the ape
! preaching meeting OF police pensonler5.
An interesting fact in connection with the
! forthcoming retirement OF several S6rReall5
is the civil service examination which the as
| pirants for sergeantcies will be required TO
! pass. II will include tests as TO their mental
! qualifications. knowledge OF the laws and
District ordinances, also OF streets. localities
and persons ETC.; those having the best gen.
eral averages to receive the promotions.
The sergeants who are desrous 10 wear
lieutenants stripes will be required to pass
another examination broader and more
thorough in its effect.
1t is conceded that some of the changes,
especially among the priyates, Will be an
nounced aud promulgated tomorrow even
/ ing or Tuesday morning. 1t is understood
| that Commissioner Truesdell has about COM
pleted his examination of the bulky mass of
| trial board evidence before him and has ''cast
the die in the cases of the men who are. in
the vernacular of the sea, to "go by the
| board" Mr. Truesdell held several earnest
consultations during the past week with
Judge Miller and Major Moore, chief OF po-
| lice, concerning the cases under advisement,
and il is believed these gentlemen furnished
him with some valuable suggestions which
had weight in the final summing up.
Several delegations called at the District
buildings yesterday. Some of these came to
! urge-the retention OF Sergt. Daley. the others
! to insist that be be punished. Just what will
be done in the case of the lighting SER
| geant,' beyond the reprimand, is an enigma
| which only Mr.. Truesdell himself can solve.