The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-08-01
SHAKE-UP FOR FORCE
Detectives Likely TO Get
Touch Of Discipline.
REPORT SUBMITTED TO WEST
Commissioner Given Statement by
Mai. Sylvester Regarding Conduct
with GambIing-NC Trials Likely,
bat Many Transfers May Result.

WashingtOn's detective force is TO re-
ceive one of the severest shake-ups in
its history In way, the force is 10 be
Teorganized altogether. This is as a re-
suit OF the crusade that is being made
against the handbook men and the con-
nection of the plain-clothes men with
these alleged violators Of the law.
Several days ago Mai. Sylvester. at
the request of Commissioner West, be
gan i personal investigation of the allega-
tions against the men of the detective
force. His report on the situation was
submitted 10 the Commissioner yesterday.
While none of the evidence against the
men is strong enough TO justify absolute
dismissal, it seems that it is of such
nature as to convince the executives
that shake-up will do the service GER
tain amount Of good. Before dismissal
every officer is allowed the privilege of a
trial before a board. but it is hardly
probable that any of the charges are
serious enough even TO make this permits
sible. Consequently, transfers, reprimands.
and you'll have TO be good will follow
from the superintendent Of police to the
men in the detective bureau
General Shift Likely.
II is even probable that several Of the
men viii be removed from detective head
quarters altogether and transferred TO
some part Of the service in other sec
tons of the city. However, it is not
likely that any of those who have risen
10 the position Of detective, where they
are 30 longer compelled TO wear the uni
form OF blue. and the helmet, will be put
back where they came from and 10 pa
trolling beats and swinging the omni-
present club.
But a certain amount Of reorganization
has been decided upon, and the ones who
are said To be guilty Of having known
the handbook men or had knowledge Of
their operations. are TO have one or two
and possibly three Of their feathers
pIucked
As a result, CONSERVATION Teigned
among Washington's detectives last night
when the news was whispered among
them.
Rumors of summary dismissals were
spread about, but these We're groundless,
as, under the rules of the department,
no member can be discharged without
trial!
Commissioner Gets Report.
Il have received Mai. Sylyesters re-
port" said Commissioner West, last
night, and have looked them over
DO not find anything there however. that
would warrant our bringing any of the
detectives before the trial board. Sum
mary dismissals are impossible.
1t is quite probable though. that there
Will be a reorganization of the force for
the purpose of efecting an arrangement
better calculated 10 put an end TO the
gambling I have not yet talked the mat
ter over with Maj. Sylvester, and nothing
Will be done until I have had a confer
ence with him"
One More Arrest Made.
Another violator Of the gambling laws
Of the District was taken into custody
yesterday when Arthur Langley, twenty
five years old. was arrested at his pool
room, Eleventh and NJ streets southeast
ana locked up in the Fifth precinct sta
ton In default Of $1,000 bond.
Langley, the police say, has been under
suspicion for some time as violating the
law bv soliciting bets on the races. \
close watch has been kept upon him. and
when sufficient evidence was found 20
warrant his arrest, he was taken into
custody by Sergt. Ryan and Policeman
Edwards.