New Britain herald., 1917-02-21
JOHNSON SELECTED
 AS NEW SERGEANT
Veteran Of Funston's Campaign Promoted on Eve Of Birthday


 cavalry, was promoted to a sergeancy of police by the safety board last night to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Theodore H. Hert- ing. The resignation of the latter was accepted without comment, his terse communication being read, Commits sioner F'rauk J. Moran making the motion that 1t be accepted and Com- missioner Howard M. Steele second- ing the motion. Sergeant Johnson assumes his new duties tomorrow night at ' o'clock, taking out Squad A and having supervision of the pa- trolmen south of the railroad cross ings. He will be succeeded on traffic duty at the South church post by Traffic Policeman John J. King, now assigned at Church and Main streets. Policeman Alfred E. Atwater Is added to the traffic squad and assigned to succeed Traffic Policeman King. The changes become effective tomorrow.
 Sergeant Johnson's promotion came on the eve of his birthday anniver- sary. today being that occasion. He was born in Sweden. Feb. 21, 1879. thirty-eight years ago, son of Hannah and the late John Johnson. When he was but an infant, his parents came to America and settled in New Britain. He was educated in the public schools of the city and for a. number of years, excepting when he was in the regular army and until his appointment to the police force was an assembler employed at the factory of the Skinner Chuck company.
 For three years he was g. member of the Fifth and Third cavalry. be- ing first stationed at Fort Myer in Virginia. Later, his regiment was sent to the Philippines. served with distinction under the late Major-Gen- eral Fighting Fred" Funston and as- sisted in maintaining order on the Islands following the close of tho Spanish-Ame erican war. Sergeant Johnson knew the late General Funs- ton and has interesting stories rela- tive to the hold that the dead general had on the men under him. Later Sergeant Johns regiment was sta toned at Fort Yates. North Dakota, and for a time he was detailed to the Yellowstone park detail.
 On Sept. 20. 1907 he was married to Miss Josephine Wicander of this city by Rev. T. Edwin Brown, then pastor of the First Baptist church. | aged nine years, and Ernest, aged one year and seven months.
 The new sergeant js an active member of A. G. Hammond camp, U. S. w. V. and Is affiliated with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is generally popular with the members of the force, is recognized as especially efficient as a police of 1o, ,.:a Is pected that his army training will stand him in good stead in his new duties.
 He was appointed supernumerary policeman Dec. 6. 1907 and began regular duty June 1, 1912. Upon the illness of Policeman A. c. Malone, now assigned to desk duty days at headquarters, he was appointed to the traffic squad In this work he has been generally successful and numer- ous motor vehicle violations have been so prepared for court presenta- ton as to win the commendation of his SuperiOrS.
 Richardson Needed as Detective. / The appiontment of Sergeant John son was made upon q motion or Commissioner Steele, seconded by ( n M that there were five men who had taken the civil service examlnatlon for promotion. Acting Detective A. J. Richardson with rating of 90. House Officer A c. Malone with a rating of 92, Policeman Francis J. Moore "lth a rating of s3, Policeman William O'Mara with a rating Of s9 ana ser oeant Johnson with a rating of SS.
 ioI, ay1S considered but, according to the com- ment of Commissioner Moran, he Is considered too valuable in the de- tective bureau The attitude or the hoard relative to him adds strength to the report that his appointment will be made permanent later and ad- vancement given him to detective sergeancy.
 Last nights session of the board was one of the brietest ana most har- monious on record, no signs of dis cord being apparent. A number of spectators, who attended Tn the ex- pectation that there would be dis play of verbal fireworks, were disap- pointed. The ommissioners attend ed strictly to business and concluded their open meeting at S:45 o'clock.
 A com mun1caC1On was rece1Ved from the supernumerary policemen enclosing their proposed rotary sys- tenn" No action was taken, it being voted to take 1t up for consideration after giving 1t careful study and fol- lowing conference with Chief Will liam J. Rawlings concerning it. Chief Rawlings was asked relative to it and said that the proposition IS all "superfluous' and practically what is in vogue now. It was explained that there were seven hall assignments last night, four of the requests com- ing in after o'clock, with three men available. Chief Rawlings contended that many of the supernumeraries have "seen a great light" since their agitation began and are falling over themselves to do any kind of duty