Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-30
DETAILS CLOSELY GUARDED
Commissioner West and Maj. Sylvester
in Conference.
Foley NET HAULED ASHORE
Two Arrests at District End Of Aque-
duct Bridge-Detective Changes
to Be Made Soon.

Commissioner West and Mai.
Sylvester, alter long conference
today, adopted plan of procedure
against the handbook men which
the officials believe will be moro
effective than any measures hither-
10 employed. Details OF the new
tactics to be used in the anti
gambling campaign are guarded
with the closest secrecy, and Mr..
West is enthusiastic over the pros
rect Of telling results in the fight
against the bookmakers. In the
meantime the records of head
quarters detectives are being close
ly scrutinizcd, and within twenty
four hours whatever changes are
necessary will be made. This aft
ernoon a determined warfare on
policy began to show results. Two
arrests were made at the District.
end of the Aqueduct bridge, and
much information is in the hands
Of the officers regarding full
fedged policy shop in the UNDER
brush of Alexandria county.
The extent of the shift In the local de-
tective force, which was predicted by The
Star several days ago upon information
furnished by officials of the police Depart
ment, will be known within the next twen-
ty-four hours thorough investigation 10
being made under the direction of Commits
sioner West and Maj. Sylvester, chief OF
police. and according to these two officials
they Will have decided by tomorrow morn
ing IL there are any-members Of the de-
tectve force who have not been properly
performing their duties and who could be
of more value to the force as ordinary DO
l!cemen patrolling a beat in some quiet
neighborhood.
The official and private record Of every
detective is being inquired into, and before
any action is taken each detective will be
afforded an opportunity to be heard by the
chief of police and offer any explanations
or denials. In other words. every oppor-
tunity will DE given these men In order
that no member of the force will be un-
fairly or unjustly dealt with. Nal. Sylves-
ter favors shifting only those detectives
against whom some specific charge Is
made regarding the friendliness to hand-
books or to the effect that they are free
quent patrons of the books"
Commissioner West Reticent.
Commissioner West was at his desk In
the District building this morning after
IInt.r Kerr and
there WAS a noticeable change in his atti-
tude toward the personnel Of the detective
force and the necessity for shift Of any
members against whom there is the slight
est suspicion. He said that he is still anx-
ious to see the handbook evil wiped out,
and that lie would do all in his rower to
bring this about, but he was very reticene
about the contemplated shift.
'Of course" he said, 'if We learn of any
members of the detective force who are
patrons of the handbooks and are other
wise friendly 10 them they will be trans
ferred, but l hardly think there is going to-
he a wholesale slaughter
Immediately upon his arrival at tho
building he summoned Maj. Sylvester, and
they conferred for more than an hour upon
the details concerning the crusade on the
handbooks. Afterward Mr.. West stated
of action against the handbook gamblers
which Will be put into immediate action
and which he believes will prove very sue
cessful He declared with considerable
enthusiasm that this plan promises to bs
the most effective one ever taken in con-
nection with running down gamblers. He
declined to diVulge the details, saying thac
If the slightest hint was made public re-
garding the plans of the police nothing
would be accomplished and everything
ruined.
When asked If he could successfully carry
out his plan with the aid OF the present de-
tective force Commissioner West replied
that as far as he is informed he believes
he can, but that he could answer that ques-
ton better after Maj. Sylvester has re-
ported to him the results of the investiga-
ton being carried on in the detect tive force.
Will Sift Grave RumoA
Mr.. West and Maj. Sylvester il Is said.
also discussed Information they had re-
ceived to the effect that certain officials OF
the Police Court had expressed Il hesitancY
about sending 4 handbook warrant to POI
lice headquarters during this present STIR
Mr. West will confer with District Attor-,
ney Baker upon this matter to learn IL
there is any truth in the rumor, as he con-
siders it a serious matter. Mr.. West said
he will make an effort to learn whether or
not this alleged suspicion on the part Of
the Police Court officials has prevented
them from issuing warrants and sending
them to police headquarters to be served.
or If there Is any good reason for the
court officials to have such suspicious In
the event that these alleged suspicious ara