Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03
POLICE PROMOTIONS.
MEMBERS OF FORCE ANxIoUsLY
AWAIT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Scrutinixing the Records-Some File
Applications for Advancement
Others Rest on oars.

Maj Sylvester is going to do in the matter
OF making promotions to take effect at
the beginning OF the fiscal year. They are
also DESTROYS Of knowing in what manner
the promotions are to be made. and some
OF them are refraining from bringing IN
huence to bear upon the Commissioners and
chief Of police because Maj Sylvester re-
Gently announced that the promotions
would be based upon merit and not by
reason of pull"
Some of those who have seen many years
Of service in the department and who did
policing when the work was more difficult
than 1t la now are holding back in antici-
patton of getting what, they think. justly
belongs to them. Others are sending let
tiers and friends to the front to espouse
their cause. 1t is believed that almost
every sergeant on the force is looking for
ward to the time when the promotions are
made, expecting good news. Some weeks
ago Maj. Sylvester said he had practically
made up his mind regarding what men he
would recommend for promotion should the
then pending bill be enacted, and he is now
engaged in looking up the records Of the
men. When the records have been scruti
nized and the bill signed the promotions
will be announced.
Maj. Sylvester has received letters and
visits from men in public life and others
who wanted to advance the claims Of par
ticular candidates, but, it Is stated he has
made no promises The superintendent
realizes how easy a matter 1t Is for police
men or others to secure influence and knows
that some of those who come forward and
put their requests almost In the form of
demands do not even know the candidates
for the positions. He also is aware that
1t Is simple procedure to obtain sigma
lures to applications. and he therefore In
tends to pay but little attention to such re-
quests unless there are good records for
efficiency to back the candidates. 1t Is
stated that some of the men who have good
records gained them through inactivity,
while some Of the more active and efficient
men gained marks against their records
because of activity and efforts to bring al
legged violaters Of law to Justice. Marks
that have been gained in such q manner
will be treated accordingly.
Submit Written Applications.
Many of the men who are seeking promo
ton have submitted written applications
through their lieutenants or through one
of the captains, but others have refrained
from sending in applications, thinking
their records are sufficient. As stated in
The Star a few days ago. 1t was the in
tention of Major Sylvester to give the
older sergeants chance for promotion at
this time, the superintendent realizing
that he might be unable to reward them
later. There are several of the older SER
geantS who have been faithful workers In
the department for many years and who
are still active and energetic officers. Some
of them, the records show endangered
their lives in the service, and these are
the men who now believe that the major
will recognize their worth at this time.
They are to be placed In command OF the
precincts at night and they argue they
are better equipped for such service than
are many of the younger men.
The long experience of the men in ques-
ton, 1t is argued, should certainly count
for something-at least more than inf1u-
ence presented by men who are not old
enough In the service to fully understand
just what qualifications a commanding
officer should possess. While some of the
older sergeants are still active men, they
do not expect their activity will last many
years. and recognition of their services at
this time, they think, will not only be of
material assistance to the department at
this time but will be the means of pro-
longing their usefulness as members of
the force.
Possibly a Scramble.
Should the chief of police decide, how
ever. that the race is open to all the SER
geants, irrespective of age or length of
service, and IL seems that such may pos
sibly be the case, then the scramble for
the positions will be even more lively. Not
only will all the younger sergeants look
ahead to the positions which are created
by the bill, but some of the privates will
also do some wire pulling in order to Sc
cure promotion. One private has already
submitted an application for one of the
positions. He has an excellent record and
has worked hard for the success of the
bill. This latter work, some of his brother
officers think, should commend him to the
higher officials as indicating that he pos
sesses executive ability worthy of consid-
Grafton.
Other men connected with the department
have claims which, they think, entitle them
to special consideration. Some of them
have been commended for efficiency and
some for bravery, while others have made
important arrests and done other things
Should Maj. Sylvester consider the names
of all the sergeants In the matter of max
ing selections he may look to the detective
force for efficient men to be in command
of some of the precincts at night. 1t is
said that several of the detectives would
be willing to accept a reduction in salary
in order to accept one of the positions
These men have been in the building with
the superintendent and they are SO thor
oughly familiar with his methods, II is
stated, that one or more Of them may be
selected.
To Succeed New Lieutenants.
When the superintendent finishes the
work of selecting the men who are to serve
the department as lieutenants he will have
to find others to succeed them. The can
didates for these positions are even more
numerous than are the men who are
anxious TO be lieutenants. 1t is likely that
the captains and lieutenants will be con-
suited as to the qualifications of the men
who are to be promoted to be sergeants
Each precinct will present a number of
candidates, but all of them will probably
not receive the Endorsement of the captains
or lieutenants. The new sergeants will be
selected from those who are known to
possess special qualifications for the posi-
tons. 1t is likely that they will be chosen
from the men who have had number of
years of service and who have already
shown their fitness for the work.
Nothing will be done in the matter of
making the appointments for a few days."
Maj. Sylvester said when asked when he
would probably announce the promotions.
THE records of four hundred men are
being investigated, and 1t cannot be done
In day or two"
1t is believed that the work of scrutiny
ing the records will not be completed for
several days and the announcements may
not be made by Maj Sylvester until near
the close of the fiscal year.
Skaters Flowers for Graduates.