The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-04
DEFY POLICE CHIEF
Four Detectives Decline to
Explain Action.
CHARGED WITH MISCONDUCT
superintendent of Police Later Tears
Up Charges, Saying They Were Not
Properly Drawn-Believed Incident
VIII Lead TO Fnr-reaching Inves-
tigation in Police Department.

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-Four detective sergeants-H. R. War
ren. Guy E. Burlingame, Charles Mullen.
and r. r. Weeden-have dehed the order
Of Maj. Sylvester, and declined to write
a letter explaining why they should not
go before a trial board to face the charge
Of misconduct made by Property Clerk
Edwin b. Herse.
When the detectives had assembled for
roll call and instructions. Inspector
Boardman informed Weldon. Burlingame.
Mullen, and Warren. that he had instruc-
tons from the head OF the department
that they were each to write a letter
showing cause why they should not be
tried under the charges. This roll call
was at o'clock Monday morning. and
an hour later the trial was to have been
called.
Decline 20 obey Order,
The accused men. acting simultaneously.
as II by prearranged agreement. positive
ly refused to comply with the order, and
demanded that they be tried and given a
hearing under the charges.
Subsequently. Inspector Boardman re-
ported the refusal Of the men to obey
the order, and that they had demanded
the trial. Il is stated that Maj. Sylves-
ter then remarked that the charges were
not property made out then and there
destroying the original papers.
In the face OF emphatic denial on his
part Monday night that no charges had
been made against the four detective
sergeants, Mai. Richard Sylvester was
forced 10 admit yesterday that such
charges had been made and that the men
had been cited to appear for trial He
said. however. that the charges had been
withdrawn and that there the matter
ended.
Further Action Expected.
It is the general belief among mem
bers Of the detective force that this is
not the end of the matter. II is quietly
limited that a quiet investigation is going
on that seeks TO get some one IN trouble
Just what this is no one seems in a posi-
ton 20 say, or II they know they keep
the secret 10 themselves.
Friends Of the detectives. not connected
with the official life OF the District gov
eminent, are indignant that these trusted
men should be held UP 10 public criticism
in the hasty manner IN which they have
been. It is intimated that a petition IS
il circulation addressed 70 the District
asking that a thorough
Of the detective department
be had and the findings OF the board made
public
In admitting yesterday that charges
had been made by Property Clerk Hesse
against these men, and that the superin-
tendent Of police had ordered them 70
trial for alleged violations Of the manual,
IL was stated that there were no charges
against the men for Incorporating
funds coming into their hands.
It was pointed out that the charges
were based upon complaint made by Mr..
Hesse In his official capacity as custodian
of all property coming into the hands
OF the police and detectives had not been
promptly and properly turned into him.
When this was reported 10 Maj. Rich
ard Sylvester he ordered the trial OF
the men.
The charges bear date Of July p. A
copy OF the charges were furnished one
OF the accused men. Inspector BOardman,
as assistant superintendent OF police, and
at the head OF the detective bureau, and
to the police trial board OF officers.
Copy of the Charges.
The following is copy OF the official
charges preferred against the four de-
tecuves:
Department OF the Metropolitan Police
Washington. D. c.. July .. 1909
To the Police Trial Board Of the District Of Co
I hereby charge Detective sergeauts II. r. Warren.
Guy F. Brungsne, Charles Mullen. and r. +.
Weldon With violation Of section = q The manual.
consisting Of this;
Specifications:
J That the said H. r. Warren. Guy T. Burlin-
game Charles Mullen. and 4. +. Weldon detective
sergcauts In the Metropolitan police force o. the
District Of Columbia did fail and neglect % deliver
% the property clerk q the Metropolitan police de-
rar1ment property which they recovered as follows
as required by the regulations ard did not make
return Of same until July .. 1909. Here follows a
number Of specific articles and amounts OF cash
recovered by the detectives named IN the charge
covering period Of over three weeks.
This in the Disthct Of Columbia. on the COM
plant Of the property clerk Edwin b. Hesse Met
ropolitan police. District Of Columbia.
RICHARD SYLVESTER
Major and Superintendent Of Police
To Detective SerVtS II. r. Warren. Guy f. Bur
lngame. Charles Mullen. and r. =. Weoion.
Sir: Take notice that the foregoing charges have
been preferred against you and that your trial upon
said charges wiz take place before the police trial
beard Of the District Of Columbia. in Police Court
Building. IN the city Of Washington. in said Dis
tuct the d day Of August. 1902 az 10 O'Clock
a. NJ. and you hereby ordered % report 20 said
trial board at the tine and place stated 20 make
answer thereto.
Personally signed RICHARD SYLVESTER.
Major and Superintendent Of Police
Whether charges OF INSTRUMENTATION
will be brought against the men remains
to be seen. 1t was rumored at police
headquarters last night that the accused
men will bring a civil action against
Property Clerk Hessc.