Evening star., 1912-06-30
SHAKE-UP IN POLICE
Sylvester to Make Several
Shifts in Department.
MORE RETIREMENTS DUE
Pensioners to Be Nominated DESPITE
Insuficiency Of the Funds
Available.
MORE RETIREMENTS DUE

A number of transfers in the police de-
partment are contemplated by Maj. Syl-
vester, chief of police. The shifting of
members of the department will be or
dered next week if the Commissioners
give their approval. Such approval is
not necessary in case of the privates and
sergeants. and they probably will be made
early in the week.
AS soon as Gen. John A. Johnston, Com
missioner in immediate supervision of the
police department, returns to the city the
contemplated changes will be submitted
to him for approval.
Maj. Sylvester would not say last night
just what changes he expects to make,
but it is understood that he contem-
plates some important shifts at head
quarters. The changes may include the
elevation of some Of the officials and de-
motion Of others and, it is stated, the de-
tective office may be affected.
1t is said Maj. Sylvester has long con-
in the department, believing 1t Is not al
ways well to keep inspectors and cap
tains filling a position for too long time.
Rumor has 1t that the transfers con-
templated will affect one or more OF the
inspectors.
Commissioner Johnston probably will
return tomorrow or Tuesday. SO that the
changes may be made effective early in
the fiscal year. which begins tomorrow.
Inspectors, captains. lieutenants and
awaiting the time when Maj. Sylvester
makes public the transfers and reassign-
ments he has in contemplation.
More Retirements to Follow.
1t is understood that the recent retire
ments in the department, some made on
application and others because they were
deemed necessary in order to further i'm
prove the efficiency of the force, will be
followed by other retirements the coming
fiscal year. These retirements may in
clude some of the men who have been
long in the service and who probably
would have been retired long ago had it
not been for the Inadequate pension fund.
Heretofore the chief Of police hesitated
to pension old and faithful members of
the department, men who had served
creditably when policing was much more
difficult and hazardous than it is now
and when they were in almost constant
danger. Some of those who already are
on the pension list. 1t is stated, have suf-
fered for want of the necessaries of life
because Of the failure of Congress to put
the fund on a substantial basis, and Maj.
Sylvester delayed action, hoping some
thing would be done.
The department, 1t is stated, has been
hampered in its work by carrying the
names of number Of actually in
capacitated men on the rolls, and Maj.
Sylvester has determined. it is stated,
to recommend retirements, and trust to
getting the fund in shape to permit the
District to discharge it's obligati tions.
Sergt James D. McQuade Of the ninth
precinct was yesterday ordered to the
White House for duty, taking the place
made vacant by the recent retirement
of Sergt. Raphael Bryan. Sergt- Bryan
did duty in the fifth precinct a number
of years and later was detailed at the
White House. Ill health made neces-
sary his retirement.
Acting Sergt. o. T. Davis Of the ninth
precinct and Mounted Acting Sergt c..
]. P. Weber of the eleventh precinct
were promoted to full sergeants, an in
crease of pay accompanying their pro-
motions.