Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-31
LOCAL OLICECHiHCES
Official Announcement of
Transfers and Promotions.
NO RADICAL ACTION TAKEN
Two Headquarters Detectives Given
New Assignments.
CHIEF SYLVESTER'S REASONS
Inspector Swindells to Give Entire
Attention to Duties as Assist
ant Superintendent.
CHIEF SYLVESIER'S REASONS

Commissioner West and Maj. Sylvester
conferred this morning about the much
talked-of changes scheduled to be made in
the police department, and about noon the
announcement was made. Two members
of the detective corps were relieved from
duty there and assigned elsewhere. They
are Detectives Edward Horne and Lawrence
A Onea. The former is to be given a
detail n the Pennsylvania depot and the
latter will go TO a preinct. Charles r.
Mullen, who has been detailed at the Penn
sylvania depot and Precinct Detective
Howard Vermillon of the first precinct get
the promotion to the vacancies in the de-
tective Office.
Other changes announced in the order
affect the working force at headquarters
but none of them is of a radical nature.
Inspector Harry l.. Gessford. whose duties
have kept him closely confined at head
quarters and whose health has not been
good, Is 10 hereafter perform the duties
heretofore assigned to Inspector Cross. This
new work VIII be the means o. giving him
outdoor exercise and. 1t is believed, VIII
benefit his health. His transfer to the
position effects a change in the duties
TO be performed by Inspector Cross. The
most important change. however. is made in
des, who is hereafter to perform the
duties of assistant to the superintendent of
police.
Changes Explained.
The changes in the duties of those af-
fected by the order is explained in the
communication of Maj Sylvester to Com
missioner West. as follows:
I'm view of the small working force in
the office of the major and superintendent,
consisting OF two officers, it is recommended
that Inspector John y. Swindells be relieved
of the labors incident TO the trial board,
to enable that officer to devote his full
time and attention to the duties of assistant
TO the superintendent; that Inspector II. L.
GessfoId be assigned to the duties now in
cUmbent on Inspector Cross in supervising
the property, wagons, horses, harness,
equipment, acquisitions, leaves of absence,
keeping records at the several stations, sup
plies, revolver practice and police mat
tiers as prescribed in general orders and
the regulations.
That Inspector Francis f. Gross mount
cd, he assigned to general inspection of the
force and station houses, as to the bearing
and attention to duty cf the members of
the force in all its DCa, ches, required by
the law and regulations, visiting the po
lice precincts, police and juvenile courts,
house of detention and harDor precinct,
observing that the discipline and morale OF
the force is maintained, and to report in
fractions and deficiencies.
Bicycle Squad.
In this connection Inspector CROSS is TO
employ the four bicycle sergeants in that
service and to keep daily records of his
actions and recommendations. The rules
and general and special orders to he OBJ
served in carrying into effect these changes.
and the several officers named 10 be re-
spec;ed in their several capacities
In his communication Maj Sylvester adds {:
owing to the limited numerical strength
of the force and the many and incessant
demands made upon 1t in all the precincts,
IL has been necessary to forego the needed
hep in the superintendent Office to the
end that the public ~ ght have every posi-
BILE assistance. This change, it is expected
VII remedy the situation in a measure"
Future Probability.
1t had been the intention Of Commits
sioner West and Maj. Sylvester to have
Inspector Boardman relieved from duty in
the detective office in order that he might
act as assistant 10 the superintendent and
perform the duties of the latter during his
absence, but they reached the conclusion
that the move could not be made at this
time, owing To the limited number OF men
10 be selected from. IL Will be made later
however. and II IS likely to be done when
Inspector SwmG-lls rctirts. y number OF
months ago Inspector SwILdells wanted to
retire, but he consented 10 remain upon
active duty at the earnest solicitation of
Maj. Sylvester. II is likely, however. that
he Will remain on the .OTce Only a short
while longer and that upon his retirement
important changes Will b. MADE. Inspector
Swindclls has been connected with the force
many years and has always been regarded
a. one OF The most efficient members OF
the department
No explanation is gwen Of the reasons for
the changes in the personnel of the detec-
tive force. Ii is stated tAat Detective . Dea
had been guilty OF an iGGIscTetiou in the
matter OF discussing the handbook sltua-
ton. but there 5 no allegation that he was
Ffta ffsily iva
who werS engaged in tie gambling bust
ness.
IL is recalled that Detective O'Dea is the
only member Of the detective force VINO
, made a case against handbook man be-
fore the crusade against the gamblers was
started by the Star. His remarks, it is
said. were made in connection with the case
of George GoodaCre. but he denied that he
had said or done anything against the
proper administration Of Justice.
His Own Request.
Detective Horne some time ago requested
that he be given a detail at one Of the
railroad depots. and today's order came In
the nature of granting his request. Ed
Horne. he is well and Familiarity
known, enjoys the reputation of being
familiar with the faces and records of
more criminals than almost any other de-
tective in the country. and when profess
siOnal crooks are arrested he has usually
been the first member Of the force 10 be
consulted. 1t Is believed he has d wider
knowledge of criminals and OF their work in
the District than has any other member OF
the force
The changes announced today it is
stated. are TO be followed by other changes
of minor IMPORTANCE. Several transfers are
10 he mAdr, but they Will not be announced
until next week.
Panama Labor Surfeit
MARSEILLE. France, August 3I.-Six