The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-10
70 INCREASE EFFICIENCY
Higher Officials of the Police De-
partment Advanced.
The Rcorganiznt ton Authorized by
Congress- Carried Into Effect Upon
Recommendations of MINOR syi-
vester to the commissioners.

The REORGANIZATION authorized ny
Congress- Carried Into Effect Upon
Recommendation of Major Syi-
vester TO the Commissioners.
In conformity with the authority recent
ly granted by Congress providing for the
reorganiz ton 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. NJ. A. Austin will hereafter rank
as captain and assistant superintendent,
Inspectors Boardmsn, 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 a year to come. it
is believed that the appropriation bill for
the fiscal year beginning July l, 1902, will
carry that increase. Major Sylvester will
provide for the increase in the estimates
which he Will submit in his next annual
fere with the contemplated changes on
July /, or before that date, nor with the
promotions that will be necessitated by
the new positions provided and the va
caHcies that viii be occasioned by the
retirement of some of the highest officials
IN the department. The most prominent
OF these will be Captain Austin. who has
just been made assistant superintendent
Captain Austin, now the second in COM
mand, and the executive officer of the
department, was born in Erie County
Pa, october II, 1910. 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
raary II, 1852, 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 non-commissioned
officer. July l, 1865. He was made a pa
trolman on the District police force May
3. 1855; on November Is of the same year
he was made acting sergeant; was pro-
NOTED TO a lieutenancy November 81
1855. and assigned to the command OF
what is now the Fifth precinct, where
De remained for nine years
While al command of the First precinct,
at time when laboring men were being
melted TO riot and the Government was
even statoning extra troops in the vi
entity of the city in fear of trouble, Cap
tain Austin, at the head of fifteen men.
successfully charged and dispersed 800
stones at the corner of Seventh and d
Streets northwest. None of his men was
injured. He had command of the detail
of policemen at the Criminal Court dur
ing the Guteau trial. He was made cap
tain. succeeding Captain Vernon, July
16, lSSG, 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 H.
Boardman, the chief of the Detective Blu
reau, is one of the youngest and most ac-
tive of the higher officials of the depart
ment. He is forty years old and previous
10 entering the police service was a plate
pTin ~ in the Bureau CO 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.
inspector Isaac Pearson is native of
Tirginia ard is about sixty years of age.
iEe enlisted in the Second District of Co
sumbia Volunteers at the outbreak of the
civil war and in various commands saw
continuous service until the surrender at
AppomattoX, when he was mustered out
with the rank Of sergeant. After serving
in the Quarterraaster's Department for
fifteen months he became q member of
the police force February /, 1867. Three
years later he was made lieutenant and
In 1875 night inspector.
Cross
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 Sylvester's letter
to the Commissioners regarding the pres
ent changes in the department follows:
conformity Win an act act Telallhg 70
Columbia approved February IS, 1901, |
have the honor to recommend the follow
ing appointments, in order to make effec-
tive the several titles enumerated in said
Il. capt. NJ A Austin. 10 be Captain
and Assistant Superintendent
y Lieut. Inspector Robert II. Board
man. TO be captain.
- Lieut. Inspector Isaac Pearson, to
be captain.
Is. That Frank Baur. G. W. Boyd. s. L.
Brown. c. L. Father, F. NJ. Helan. Ed
ward Horne. Henry Lacy, J. n. Mating
ly, T. q. McNamee. W. r. Muller, NJ; II
Miller A. w. Parham, c. 7. Peck, and r,
i. Weldon. privates. detailed for special
service in the detection and prevention
of crime. be assigned as sergeants during
such time they and each Of them may
oe so specially detailed, such details. how
ever TO be changed from time to time
as the requirements of the service may
justify.
80 That W. H. Burkhart F. II. Case,
Adolph Eckloff. J. W. EVERY, James
Frank j. F. Garner, Samuel Goodman, j..
p Holmes. J. J. Hickey. +. G. Hinkle, A
w. Hell. J. w. Middleton, George Nor
gan. Franklin Monroe, Nj. E Pndar. l..
T. Ray, j. r. Rolf. J. A. Springman. G.
w. Sellers. Frank Narnstein, and w. J.
Wagner. stationkeepers. be appointed
desk sergeants, subject TO the regulations
now in force governing stationkeepers and
under such further or amended regula-
tions as may be ordered
THE stationkeepers who are thus ap-