Evening star., 1907-08-18
FIGHTS HANDBOOK MEN
Superintendent of Police Re-
peats Order to Force.
BUSINESS HAS DECREASED
Results Accomplished Since Crusade
Was Started.
DETAIL CONTINUES AT WORK
Rumor of Changes in the Personnel
of the Detective OficeASome
Suggestions.
BUSINESS HAS DECREASED
DETAIL CONTINUES AT WORK

Maj. Sylvester has repeated his order to
the members of the police department that
they exert themselves In the matter OF
keeping handbook men out of business.
- do not intend to tolerate the handbook
men" Mai. Sylvester told a Star reporter.
and it is my purpose to hold the members
Of the force personally responsible for what
may be done by the gamblers.
Reports received by the superintendent OF
police show that the handbook business has
materially decreased since the crusade was
star,ed against the gamblers. although 1t
is possible that several stragglers are still
irving to pick up 81 few dollars from those
who are willing and anxious to back the
ponies. The races are on at Saratoga ana
they offer an unusual attraction to the
w shington people who play The horses.
Detectives on Detail
None O: the men who has been especially
detailed to investigate the handbook evn
has been withdrawn from tn, work by MAJ.
Sylvester. and ii is not his idea to take
them eff the work until he is satisfied that
the last ere has been driven out OF pusi-
ness.
II is not going to satisfy Maj SylVes-
ter for the members of his force 10 say
~, tLe,- have driven the handbook men
to cover realizing that it is an easy mater
to raise cover and renew uhe hei,il ~ -
business The superintendent OF poi &c -
lnnkins TO the members of the detective
cor-,s as we'll as to the precinct men, "
assist in the crusade. Detective FRANK NJ.
UeIan is still! detailed at the office OF the
J-rited States attorney for work IN con-
n.rrjon with the prosecution of the hand
book people and Detective Greene OF the
tenth precinct who did good work IN
breaking up the Virginia policy shops anu
ar~es;iu. handbook men. has been detailed
for duty with DetetllNe
Ncrm!liCn.
Denials From Members.
Detective O'Dea it is stated, is the only
member of the detective force who made
handbook case before The Stars crusade
WAS begun. Later Detectives O'Brien and
Parham made one handbook arrest. While
Mai Sylvester has completed his inves:i-
Cation of the detective corps in the hand
beck matter and obtained denials from
every member. he has not concluded Just
what changes he is going TO make in the
personnel of that branch of the service
The chief of the department says he has
some changes in contemplation, and that
they will probably be made during the next
two weeks.
Just what changes will be made Maj.
Sylvester has not yet made public. 1t IS
the belief of the superintendent that Soy
crai changes might be made for the good
of the service, ii being his. intention to put
Young and active men in the office. Mem
bers of the detective force are anXiously
waiting the announcement
Ali Of them say thy have worked hard
and faithfully. and they fail to understand
why changes are to be made. They will
bly, be told that the changes are made
for the good of the service and that those
who are sent from the Office need not think
that any reflection upon them is intended
Change Regarded as Beneficial.
Maj, Sylvester and Inspector Boardman
believe that a change in the personnel of
the office will be beneficial to the service.
Changes have been made in the detective
Office from time to time, and the police Of
ficials say. such have always proved ben
eficial Runor has # that other moves in
the department are contemplated by Maj.
Sylvester. The work of the department has
increased to such a great extent during re-
cent years that the superintendent finds it
almost absolutely necessary to have an
q SSiStant who will take the responsibility
OFF the position and relieve him. This change
may mean that Inspector BOardman will
relinquish his position chief of the de-
tective bureau and take desk in the Office
of the superintendent of police.
Such move would necessitate the ap-
pointment of successor to the present
chief of detectives. 1t IS believed that there
is plenty of good material in the depart
ment and that the Commissioners would
not have to look elsewhere to find a man
capable of filling the position. Should the
reorganization take place 1t is stated it is
more than likely that some of the older
members of the force may be retired to
make room for younger and more active
men.