Evening star., 1903-10-08
AFTER LONG SERVICE
PRIVATE VERNON OF POLICE
FORCE TO BE RETIRED.
Has Served in All Grades From Act
ing Superintendent Down
Question of Pension.

The Commissioners are considering the
matter of the pension allowance to be
granted Private C. R. Vernon of the police
force, who is about to be retired after for
tytwo years of service. Mr.. Vernon has
served through all the grades of the de-
partment, having been reduced gradually
in late years at his own request The Com
riSSionerS and the superintendent of police,
Major Sylvester, are anxious to retire the
faithful officer on the pension allowance of
lieutenant, which is s75 month, and are
taking steps to that end.
The retiring board of the police depart
ment. in reporting upon the application of
Mr.. Vernon, stated that he was appointed
member of the police force September IL.
1861, and in the intervening period has
served sergeant for nine years, ieuten-
ant for fifteen years, captain for seven
years, and acting superintendent
For several years past the board re-
ported, "he has served as private Of class
two, owing to failing health. In all this
time of service, of over forty years, he has
honestly and fearlessly discharged his du-
ties. We interpret the law relating to re-
tirements to place that discretion with the
Commissioners, that where a member of
the force has served officer thereof
though at the time of retirement perform
ing subordinate duty through Ill health,
incurred in the line of duty, and after fif-
teen years service, he may receive and is
-
pension, and recommend in the case of
Charles r. Vernon that he be retired from
the force with pension at the rate of $75
per month
Maj. Sylvester's Comment
Major Sylvester. in forwarding this re-
port to the Commissioners. added his own
recommendation which is, as follows:
Private Charles R.. Vernon is one Of two
surviving members of theT original metro
politan police force. and now after service
of over forty years. during which time he
went through all the grades from private to
acting superintendent. serving many years
as lieutenant and captain, he is forced by
the time he has been member of the force
he has been placed in many trying pos. tions,
and on all occasions has acquitted himself
as an honorable, faithful. energetic and in
tellgent man.
I'm 1901 an act of Congress was passed
providing for higher rate of pensions for
the captains and lieutenants of police than
that paid to privateS in the force, and am
informed by one conSersant with the laws
relating to pension allowance that it is
discretionary with. the Commissioners in
making this retirement If it is done and
which 1 shall reluctantly recommend, as to
the amount to be allowed.
IF this information is correct Private
Vernon should be accorded at least that
recognition which would be extended lieu
tenants of the force and be placed on the
pension roll at $75 per month. In this con-
nect1on L would suggest that the matter be
forwarded to the accounting officers of the
Treasury Department for determination.
The Commissioners have first referred the
matter to the District auditor
PrlVate Vernon has been on duty for sew
eral years past at police headquarters