The Washington times., 1920-04-19
ACTING MAJOR
TO HEAD COPS
Appointment Announced This
Morning BY D. C. Com
missi0ners.
CAME UP THROUGH RANKS
New Superintendent, Who Once
Was Private, Well Liked
BY His Men.


superintendent and for the past two
months acting chief Of police, today
was appointed Major and Superin-
tendent of the Metropolitan Police
Department of this city. The ap-
pointment already has taken effect.
District Commissioners Brownlow
and Kutz decided on the appointment
following a conference with the act
ing superintendent this morning.
Offered Post Before.
Commissioner Brownlow, I'm an
nouncing the appointment. stated that
the position Of police chief was Of
fered to Major Gessford on March Is.
At this time Major Gessford stated
he did not feel as IL he could take the
position.
COMMISSIONER Brownlow then look
ed elsewhere for a chief
After looking the field over. Com
missioner Kutz and myself have come
to the conclusion that Gessford is the
man for the job" said Commissioner
Brownlow. His work as head of the
department since Major PulIman's
death has further convinced U.S."
Superintendent Gessford was called
to Commissioner Gessford's office ut
1880 o'clock this morning. It was
then the position again was offered
to him, Commissioner Brownlow urs-
inS his acceptance.
er Bfownlow called newspaper men
into his office.
"The District Commissioners today
appointed Harry L. Gessford major
and superintendent of police" he an
nounced.
Rose From Ranks.
The new chief has risen from the
ranks. He entered the department ~
a desk clerk, in the Fourth precinct.
on January 8, 1881. He was appoint
ed private, in class one, on February
s, 1892, and detailed to headquarters.
On April /. 1893, he was promoted to
be a private. second class.
Major Gessford established a pre-
cedent in the department after he had
been appointed acting sergeant, on
July 1, 1899. He was made sergeant
on July I, 1901, the next day was
lowing day named captain.
The Commissioners appointed him
an inspector on July 1, 1905, and
August 10, 1919, he was made assistant
superintendent of police.
Major Gessford made IL clear today
that he has not been an applicant for
the position Of chief of police.
ct can truthfully say that have
never urged my appointment for ans
position in the police department,
with the exception of one time" said
Major Gessford. This was some
years ago when I asked to be made
assistant superintendent. However, ]
did not get the appointment. On no
other occasion have I urged my ap-
pointment for any job in the depart
ment"
Is Wen Liked
The new Superintendent Is q man
well liked in the department It ap-
pears that the rank and Ale Of the
policemen are pleased because the
Commissioners appointed an -fnside
man.
IT want to say to the people Of
Washington that ] will work hard
and faithfully" said the new chief.
shortly after his appointment. ct will
do my utmost TO see lEat they get
proper police projections: that this de-
partment gives the service the public
expects, and will fulfill my duties as
chief of this department to the best
OF my ability"
1t is interesting to note that to-
morrow Major Gessford celebrates
the thirty-third anniversary of his
marriage.
The first telephone call for the new
chief came a few minutes after Cess
ford had reached his office. on lcsv-
ing Commissioner Brownlow. Secre-
tary Laws called out:
Telephone, Major"
Didp't Rocoguire Title.
Major Gessford did not recognise
the title at first. However, he look
ed up and Laws pointed to the phone
The call was a message OF congrat-
ulation from Captain Mulhall, OF the
Fifth precinct
Major Gessford is nfty-nine years
old He was born in southwest Wash
ington, on February 1, 1861. He at
tended the Jefferson public school
graduating from the eighth gradaL
He entered the Police Department
when he was twenty-seven years old.
Major Gcssford has five sons and two
daughters. He lives at 3123 ThirS
tcenth street northwest
SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET.