Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-05
Newspaper Man and Writer
on Sociological Problems
Succeeds Maj. Sylvester.
TAKES UP DUTIES APRIL |;
YOUNGEST IN THAT PLACE
Commissioners. in Announcing Ap-
pointment. Exonerate Present
Head of Parks Charges.

Rayn,ord ". Pullman. Wash
inston ncWspdpCrnfdn and writer
on sociological problems, was ap-
pointed bv the { commissioners to-
dav to be major and supcrintend-
cut OF police OF the District OF
Columbia, succeeding Mai. Rich
ard Sylvester. who yesterday ap-
piled for retirement Ills appoint
ment becomes effective April I.
Acceptance of Maj. Sylvester's request
that he be relieved from further active
service Oh account of i'll health and
appointment as his successor of Mr..
Pullman who is but thirty-two years
old and the youngest official ever Sc
Iected to head the Districts police de-
partinent We're a greed to by the Com
nissioners at Il board session this
morning
With announcement of their action
the Commissioners gave out a state
ment in which they practically exoner-
ate Mai. sylvester OIL charges of Off
cial misconduct preferred against him
by Representative Park of Georgia.
This statement is as follows:
Not Strong Enough for Trial.
The preliminary examination made
of the charges filed against Maj Sy1-
vester by Representative Park, which
were withdrawn yesterday by their au-
thor, while indicating minor derelic-
tions that might have resulted in some
disciplinary measures. did not, SO far
as the examination extended, present
sniff 1FIn nrf r. a
the Commissioners to proceed with
trial. The charges having been with
drawn, Maj. Sylvester is retired upon
his own request.
this occasion to express the thanks of
the community to Maj Sylvester for
his long and able service to the Dis
trict of Columbia.
appointment OF MIR. Pullman, who is an
, intimate friend of both Commissioners
Newman and Brownlow. was made on
Amoton of Mr.. Brown1ow. who has
upervision of police matters.
Qualifications Considered.
In selecting Mr.. Pullman to be
major and superintendent of police
.he Commissioners were actuated by a
knowledge of his exceptional qualifca-
tions for the place" said Commissioner
Brownlow this afternoon. Mr.. Pull
cally all his life, was educated in the
Eastern and the Business High Schools,
was four years in the Washington
High School Cadets. serving as captain.
and since leaving school has had a
varied experience in journalism and in
the forest service.
For many years he has taken an
active interest in the police adminis-
tration in Washington and. aside from
that. has made an exhaustive study of
police matters in many other American
cities. He has been deep student of
all the varied and complex problems
that are SO intimately connected with
the police
- man of the highest character, of
demonstrated executive ability and
broad social vision. feel that the peo-
Pc OF Washington are I" be congratu-
lated upon securing the services of
such man for this position
Lived Here Nearly All of Life
Although Eirginian by birth. the
new head of the police department has
lived in Washington since he was two
years cid when his parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. i. X. Pullman. moved To the cap
ital from their farm i'll Fairfax county.
In 1906. his graduating year at Bust
ness High School, Mr.. Pullman was
captain of Company + in the High
School csdet Regiment. editor of the
school paper and publisher of the first
issue of the school annual, The Orange
and. Blue. During his high school
days ne also took an active interest in
III" promotion of athletics In the
wear following his graduation he was
appointed first graduate manager of
the annual field and track meet of all
the high schools by the general board
of faculty athletic advisers. Imme-
diately after graduation he also was
appointed d teacher in the public night
schools, and during two years service
az the Greenleaf and Jefferson schools
he took active interest in settle
1nent work in the Barney Eeiehborhood
House
Mr.. Pullman began his business ca
reer in the fall of i904 when he en-
tered the advertising and business of
fee of local printing esta blish1nent.
but resigned six months later, when
he was offered a position on a local
ne