Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-19

that assistant superintendent
when Inspector Boardman died. He
was not made assistant Supertntend.
emit then. but received the rank last
August. when another assistant su-
perintendency was created. Robert B.
Boyle is the other assistant super
intendene.
Twenty-EiEht Years ut Headquarters
Mai. Gessford has been stationed at
police headquarters for, twenty-eig light
years. having been detailed there as
private, class J. on February 8,
headquarters has made him probably
more familiar than any other man in
the department with the duties OF SUI
perintendent.
On April l. 1893. he was promoted
acting sergeant. Two years later he
was made q full sergeant. Tho next
day he was made lieutenant ana the
following day captain. He became an
inspector on July 1. 1905, and. in
August Of last year he was given the
AZ assistant superintendent he has
been. in charge Of the administrative
work. assignine men and handling .
mass Of other detail for the supeffn-
tsndent. -
Father Was Policeman.
Maj. Gessfords father. the late
Lieut.. John w. 0eeeford, was also .
policeman and was regarded a. one
Of the best members OF the force In
commanded the NTH and eighth pre-
Maj. Gessford lives at s12a 18th
street northwest He has three sons
and Ave. daughters. One OF his sons.
E n fought with III tie so:n av Diyt
wounded In an American drive on
the Hindenburg linz. He recovered.
however, and 10 now living in Akron,
Ohio.
Il PsIies Circles Pleased.
In police circles the promotion of
Inspector 0sOeford gives general
satisfaction. Even .the defeated
s, for The or. sSai y ssa
Of the new chief. -
..He 10 just" was the statement
made by many Of the older members
Of the foroA who have been assoca-
With hin, a.. during the m, many yesfs
Of . member Of the police force.
Maj. 0essford. according to mem
bers Of the force. 10 q GOOD dis
uiplinarian. and his work. thsy de-
sssiss in keeping the force On the
high plane 1t acquired . number Of
The new chief servsd under . num-
bsr Of superintendent and. IL 10 stat
"a, he always was given work which
required q police knowledge ana ex-
eoasivs ability: HIS father: the late
ability e . police edaciai was often
During his long service - Q member
Of the police department, the new
Fchief had much dealings with the
rank and file OF the department, and
It. is said for him that the same
treatment always was accorded po-
Hcemen. Of every rank.
f. HAD Expected OatsBle Man.
Maj. Gessford's elevation to the
ouperintendency came a. . complete
surprise to members OF the force. the
ktter having reached the conclusion
that IN outside man would be given
the position. Al soon - II became
known that the promotion had been
made, District officials and members
Of the police force Aooked to his room
70 extend him q sincere message OF
congratulation.
!. Il 10 yot too early for the new chief
% discuss the question Of methods he
will employ in conducting the bust
ness Of the department. He fully un-
der1tAnds what the late Maj. Pull
man desired in the enattsr Of admin
istration. and. It IL stated, such policy
will be pursued. for q time at least
until something better 10 suggested.
Commissioner Drownlow. who has
close touch with Maj. Pullman. and