The times., 1901-05-10


Recommendation OF Major SyI-
vester to the Commissioners.
In conformity with the authority recent
Iy granted by Congress providing for the
Reorganization of the Police Department
OF the District Of Columbia, the District
Commissioners yesterday approved a rec
ommendation OF Major Richard Sylvester.
chief Of that department. providing for
the immediate elevation in rank of many
of his principal assistants. with the pur-
pose of making the department a metro
politan one in fact as well as in name
Capt. ri. A. Austin viii hereafter rank
as captain and assistant superintendent,
Inspectors Boardman, Pearson, and Cross
will become captains, central Office de-
tectives viii be detective sergeants, and
stationkeepers win become desk ser
geants.
While the change in titles does not
carry with it an Increase of compensation
and may not do so for year to come. it
is believed that the appropriation bill for
the fiscal year beginning July /, 1902. will
carry that increase. Major Sylvester viii
provide for the increase in the estimates
which he viii submit in his next annual
report. The changes viii in no way inter
iere with the contemplated changes on
July ], or before that date. nor with the
promotions that VIII be necessitated by
the new positions provided and the Va
caHcies that will be occasioned by the
retirement OF some of the highest officials
in the department. The most prominent
of these viii be Captain Austin. who has
just been made assistant superintendent
Captain Austin now the second in COM
mand, ana the executive officer Of the
nF hgf in ri
Pa, October II, 1S40. While a child his
parents moved to New York State and
afterward TO Virginia, where, at the age
Of fifteen, he attended the Home Hill
Academy at Falls Church, Fairfax
County. Later he entered the Richards
Academy in this city. He enlisted Feb
Taary u, 1862, in the Fiftieth Regiment
New York Volunteers, Engineer Corps,
and was at once engaged in active service
in the Army Of the Potomac. under Cen
eral Grant Captain Austin was dis
charged after three years service, after
having been made a nom commissioned
officer, July 1. 1866. He was made a pa
tTolnan on the District police force May
3. 1S66; on November Is of the same year
he was made acting sergeant; was pro-
NOTED to a lieutenancy November p,
1s6S, and assigned TO the command OF
ue remained for nine years
While in command of the First precinct.
at 8 time when laboring men were being
incited TO riot and the Government was
even stationing extra troops in the Vi
cinity OF the city in fear of trouble, Cap
tain Austin, at the head of fifteen men.
successfully charged and dispersed 800
rioters who were armed with clubs and
stones 1t the corner Of Seventh and d
Streets northwest. None Of his men was
injured. He had command of the detail
OF policemen al the Criminal Court dur
ing the Guitsau trial He was made cap
tain. succeeding Captain Vernon, July
is, lSS6, and since then was for short
time Acting Major and Superintendent.
He IS reserved in manner but enjoys the
esteem and respect Of all who know him.
OF the inspectors who have been pro-
NOTED TO the rank of captain, r II.
Boardman, the chief of the Detective Bu-
reau, Is one OF the youngest and most ac-
tive OF the higher officials of the depart
Tnent. He is forty years old and previous
TO entering the police service was a plate
printer in the Bureau Of Engraving and
Printing. where he was considered an ex-
pert. lie is penman Of rare ability and
has been serving in the detective office
since October, 1891
InsDecOr Isaac Pearson is native Of
Virginia ard is about sixty years Of age.
He enlisted in the Second District OF Co
tumbia Volunteers at the outbreak Of the
civil war and in various commands saw
continuous service until the surrender at
AppDmattoX, when he was mustered out
with the rank Of sergeant. After serving
IN the Quartermaster's Department for
fifteen months he became member OF
the police force February !, 1861 Three
years later he was made lieutenant and
In 1885 night inspector.
Inspector Francis Z. Cross has seen
many years service in the department
and his advancement has been rapid since
he was made a sergeant IN 1891
The fun text Of Major SyiYesters letter
to the Commissioners regarding the pres
ent changes in the department follows:
IN conformity with an act relating TO
the Metropolitan Police Of the District OF
Columbia approved February y, 1901, /
have the honor 10 recommend the follow
ing appointments, IN order 70 make enec-
tive the several titles enumerated in said
i. Capt. NJ A. Austin. TO be Captain
and Assistant Superintendent.
- Lieut.. Inspector Robert II. Board
man. 10 be captain.
9. Lieut.. Inspector Isaac Pearson. 10
be cantain.
=. Lieut.. Inspector Francis E. Cross, to
.. That Frank Baur, G. W. Boyd. s I.
Brown c. +. Flather, +. NJ. Helan. Ed
ward Horne. Henry Lacy, J. y: Mating
y, T. y. McNamee, ". r Muller, NJ u.
Miller. A. w Parham, C. T. Peck, and r.
i Weldon. privates detailed for special
service in the detection and prevention
OF crime ne I,SiEltL d. SCI tt-el-AL1 AAilile5
such time as they and each Of them may
sse so specially detailed. such details, how
ever. to be changed from time 10 time
as the requirements Of the service may
justify
.'6. That " H Burkhart r. II. Case, |
Adolph Eckloff J. " EVerly, James
Frank. }. F. Garner. Samuel Goodman, j.
=. Holmes. J J. Hickey. +. G. Hinkle. A
w Hell. J. ". Middleton. George Nor
gan. Franklin Monroe, NJ Z. Pindar l.
J. Ray. J. r Rolf J. a. Sprlngman. 6.
w Sellers. Frank Narnstein, and w. J.
Wagner, stationkeepeTs, be appointed
desk sergeants, subject to the regulations |
ROW ia force governing stationkeepers and !
under such further or amended Tegula-
fions as may be ordered
The statiOnseepers who are thus ap-