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

Inspector Harry L. Gessfofd. assist
ant superintendent Of police. today
was appointed major and superintend-
ent. :.e 81.
Announcement OF the appointment
was made by Commissio oner Brownlow
following . conference with Inspector
Gsssford this morning. Maj Gessford
succeeds Maj. Raymond w. Pullman.
who died moro than month ago.
Aests sGesesei AtPrsssl.
Al news sf the Csmmtssionsrs' ~
lection spread through the.dspAFtmAnt
Z -vss ne. With gsn1eai apprsvsi.
The tidings were Welcome not only
because thA ns~ Aupefintendent Was
known to them, but chiefly because he
was chosen from the ranks.
Persons in touch with the members
Of the force predict that the appoint
ment of uniformed man to the post
tion Of chief viii stimulate the men
to greater efforts.
Commissioners Brownlow said he Of
fered the position to Mai. Gessford
on March Is, but the assistant super
intendent declined. 1t was only this
morning, after another talk with the
Commissioner, that he agreed to ac-
cspt.
II will do my utmost" said the new
superintendent, ito see that the peo-
protection. That has always been my
Elm IN the department.
Takes Oath Of OAee.
Maj. Gessford took the oath of Of
hce as superintendent in Commission
er Brownlow's room at 1880 o'clock
this afternoon, the oath being admin
istered by Daniel L. Garges, secre-
tary to the board of Commissioners.
Commissioners Brownlow and Kutx
extended their congratulations. and
the former told Of the new chiefs
modesty impelling him to decline the
promotion month ago.
Among those who witnessed the
taking Of the oath were . Corporation ; n
Nicholson of the fire department.
Lieut. Charles A. Evans. Chief Clerk
z. B. Hesse of the police force. Assist
ant Corporation Counsel Ringgold
Hart and DR.. James J. Kilroy. mem
ber Of the board Of police surgeons.
Col. Kutz and Mr.. Brownlow con-
Tratulated the new chief and pre-
dicted for him q successful adminis-
tration. Lieut.. Evans dtspelled any
doubt the Commissioners might enter.
tain on that question and EXTENDED
the thanks of the department 70 tne
Commissioners for taking q man from
the ranks to all the position.
First From Ranks in Fifty Years.
Hes the first one to be taken from
the ranks in hfty years, SAID the
lieutenant. and the department feels
grateful for it."
Commissioner Kutx said it rested
with the new chief to continue the
appointment of chiefs from the
ranks. II he makes a success OF his
administration, the Commissioner add
ed. 1t is probable that his successors
will be taken from the ranks
Commissioner Brownlow said he felt
certain the new chief would have a
successful administration, and told
his hearers that Maj. Gessfe5d's g
father was an honored membef o. The
police force many years ago.
Makes Other Vacancies.
The promotion of Inspector Cess
the filling Of which will leave Ter
vacancies lower in the department,
Commissioner Brownlow said too )
an inspector will not be selected I'm
mediately.
Maj. Gessford has been acting heac
Of Mai. Pullman, and it ia kno wr
that the Commissioners have been
pleased with his management Of the
force during that time.
The selection of Maj. Gessford ID
particularly gratifying to the men, In
view of the rumors which have been
in circulation that a man outside OF
the department was to be appointed
When Mrs. Katherine Gessford
called her husband by telephone to
congratulate him short time after
he had been appointed she reminded
him that tomorrow will be theiI
thirty-third wedding anniversary.
sketch OF New Chief.
Harry Lincoln Gessford was born
in Southwest Washington on Febru-
ary l, 1861. He is now fifty-nint
years old. He was educated In the
public schools and has spent his en-.
tire life in the District.
On January 5. 1881, he was appoint.
ed station clerk in what is now the
fourth precinct, covering the southwest
section. It was then the first precinct
He later served as desk sergeant a
what are now the first and third pre-
cincts.
Thus beginning at the bottom o.
the ladder. where he had an opportu
nifty to know the conditions under
which all members of the force work
he has worked his way to the top.
Mai. Gessford said today that tn,
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