The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-03

Maj. Richard Sylvester. superintendent
Of police. was moving about in a mire
OF trouble last night because OF a well
authenticated rumor that he had ordered
four detectives 10 appear before the
police trial board.
The major almost beat a path from HIS
favorite sfter-dlnner chair 10 the tele-
phone to make denials that such an order
had been issued by him. And notwith-
standing his denials. which II placed end
10 end would reach around city block,
there are those impudent enough 10 de-
clare there is truth in the rumor.
The reported charge is that the detec-
tives have misappropriated funds coming
into their hands as custOdans. and have
failed 70 turn into the property clerk GER
tain goods received as stolen or picked
up under suspicious circumstances.
Are Under Capt. BOardman.
The report has & that the charges were
formally preferred by Edwin 3. Hesse,
chief property clerk Of the detectives.
and directly under Capt. r II. Board
man, assistant superintendent and head
OF the detective bureau.
Inspector Boardman. when asked about
the report. said it was not his place 20
talk on the subject. lie referred The
Washington Herald representative 20 the
superintendent OF police
That official had previously. however,
been approached on the subject, and de-
MED such charges had been made By
Mr.. Hesse or that he had entered an or
der for sending the detectives 10 the
trial board.
He was asked II he would explain the
matter as heard through rumor. His
answer was that no charges had been
made 70 him by Mr.. Hesse or any one
else.
When Chief Property Clerk Hesse was
asked about the matter he said there was
nothing IN the rumor. intimating. how
ever that probably some unimportant
informalities practiced by some Of the
detectives. to which their attention had
been called, might have been the basis
for the report.
Commissioner West. under whose per-
sOnal direction comes the police depart
ment, said he had left his Office about o
o'clock Ia the afternoon, and up 90 that
TlIALeT
had not reached him. and that II Maj
Sylvester had issued such an order he
had not been advised.
He said IL would be necessary for the
superintendent to make formal report to
him as Commissioner at the head OF the
police department II he purposed 10 take
such action.
at no time" said Commissioner West.
has Maj. Sylvester mentioned this mat
ter 20 me. If there is any such order I'm
existence from that Office 7 cannot under
stand why II mas not been given publicity.
It is not the policy Of the executive Off
GERS OF the municipal government 90 con-
ceal anything"
A Part Of the Rumor.
II was part OF the rumor that the men
accused were four Of the Oldest and most
reliable men in the service. and that they
had been furnished with a copy Of the or
der sent 20 Inspector Boardman. order
ing that they be hailed before the police
trial board. None OF the detectives seen
around police headquarters were induced
90 talk or admit they had heard anything
Of the rumor.
From inside information from persons in
close touch with those who ought to know
the facts, 10 was stated that Maj. Sylvester
had issued the order on charges brought
by Chief Clerk Hesse; that the detectives
interested had been furnished with
copy Of the order. and that last night the
charges had been unceremoniously
dropped. Explanations VIII probably be
IN order to-day