Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-04
UNDER INVESTIGATION
Method of Securing Appoint
ments Questioned,
AN ALLEGED SCANDAL
CHARGE THAT POLICEMEN PAID
S125 EACH FOR POSITIONS.
Four Applications Held Up-Rigorous
Inquiry by Superintendent and
Commissioners.
AN ALLEGED SCANDAL

Four men who applied for positions on
the police force and expected to receive
their appointments the beginning OF the
fiscal year were disappointed when inform
ed that their appointments had been held
up They had successfully passed the phys
ical and civil service examinations while
scores of others had failed. These men
knew that trouble had been experienced by
the department in getting the number OF
men provided for under the last appropria-
ton act. Why they had been turned down
when the department needed men and could
not get them puzzled the members of this
quartet All the satisfaction they were
given at police headquarters was that their
cases had been held up for further invesu-
CATION. Since then the investigation has
been going and the District Commits
sioners and Major Sylvester are interested
in the outcome. An effort was made to
keep the investigation quiet. but without
success. There are number of persons
said to be involved. and their friends have
been discussing the affair so much that the
story has become public property. The af-
fair. il is stated. involves scandal in con-
nection with police appointments, but the
investigation has not reached that stage
where the names of the persons alleged no
have been connected with the transactions
have been made public.
Position Valued at S125.
The so-called scandal. it is reported, in
wolves the payment of money for securing
positions on the force. The price of an ap-
pointment, SO the story goes. was Sl25. and
a number of men who now on the force
are alleged to have paid this sum. Accord
ing to current reports, system of getting
money from such persons has been car
ried on for number of years. but not
by the persons vino are now alleged to be
connected with the scheme under invesu-
cation.
AS soon as the matter was brought to
the attention of Major Sylvester he direct
ed that there should be a rigid inquiry.
How he was informed of the matter is not
definitely known nor does the saperintend-
ent care to discuss Ii at this time. 1t 10
stated. however that II came to him
through complaint made by one of the
men who had arranged to give up his
money, who had realiy parted with some
of his cash because of q guarantee that he
was TO receive a government position that
would pay him at least $I5 month. Their
alleged contract. IT seems. was fnterfered
with by the last appropriation bill, in which
provision was made for the appointment of
d number of men at S12o a year or $50 a
month. Sixty-dellar positions did not seem
to satisfy all those who had hoped for
something better. and the change had a
good deal to do with causing trouble in the
camp. 1t is said the investigation has con-
WINGED some of the officials that there were
persons engaged in dealing out these posi-
tions. but just who they were or how much
money they obtained cannot be definitely
stated. How applicants for positions on the
force could be made to understand that the
payment of money could help them the po-
lice officials do not understand.
Scarcity of Material.
1t may not be generally known. but
trouble is experienced in getting enough
men who qualified to fill the positions
Then, too, there are certain conditions to
be complied with in order to be eligible.
Under the rules as laid down by the Com
missioners a man must:
Be able to read and write the English lam
guage; be a citizen of the United States;
have been a resident of the District for two
years next preceding his appointment;
never have been indicted and convicted of
crime; be at least five feet eight inches
in height; be between twenty-five and
thirty-five years of age; of physical health
and vigor; of good moral character; OF un-
questioned energy and courteous manners.
When man who possesses these quail
thcations is also able to stand the physical
test and pass the civil service examination
he Is practically certain to get an appoint
ment. II is stated that exceptions have
been made to some of the rules, but not
such as would require influence to over
come them.
offense to Receive Money.
made an offense to receive money for po-
sitions under the District government, and
should it develop that money was paid as
alleged there may be arrests made next
week. The clause in the appropriation act
referred to was inserted to prevent the
payment of money for positions, and for
the further reason, it is believed, that
ports had been circulated during recent
years concerning the payment of money
for such purposes. Rumor has had ii a
number of times that positions were being
bartered in this way, and also that monthly
payments were made by persons after they
had received their appointments.
Maj Sylvester is determined to get at the
bottom of the affair under investigation, If
possible and detectives are working night
and day to get at the truth of the report.
1t is said that some of the persons alleged
to be connected with the matter under in
vestigation understand what has been GO
ing on and this has probably retarded the
work of the detectives. 1t Is known that
there were persons in the Influence" bust
ness for money before the law against IL
became operative, but they have given IT
UP now that they know they may be ar
rested and prosecuted for engaging in It,