The Washington herald., 1920-04-20
H. L. Gesstord
Named Chief
OfD. Police
Inspector and Assistant Su.
perintendent Appointed
To Fill Vacancy.
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fulfill my duties to the best of nv
ability"
As to his plans the new police
chief said he had kept in close
touch with the department since
Maj. Pullman's death, when he be-
come acting superintendent, and
added that he could see no reason
for any important changes in the
department in the immediate future
few changes. he said, would he
made here and there" but these
were not to be construed as mean
ing drastic change in policy. -
Maj. Gessford's widespread popu-
Iarity was indicated yesterday when
hundreds either telephoned or called
personally to congratulate him. His
well-wishers were noticeably repre-
sentative of every walk of life.
SD Wedding Anniversary.
Mrs. Gessford was among those
who phoned.
Congratulations" she laughed.
Congratulations on WHAT" re-
turned the new chief.
why, tomorrow will be our
Ithirty-third wedding anniversary,
came back the reply with a ripple
of laughter.
Maj. Gessford took the oath of
office as superintendent in Commits
sioner Brownlow's room at 1880
O'Clock yesterday afternoon, the
oath being administered by Daniel
Z. Garges. secretary to the Board
OF commissioners. Commissioners
Brownlow and Kutz extended their
" a 4 lof
successful administration and the
former told of the new chiefs
modesty impelling him to decline
the promotion a month ago.
Commissioner Kutz said it rested
with the new chief to continue the
appointment of chiefs from the
ranks.
Gratifying to the District.
The appointment will give new
nope to members of the police force
and will be gratifying to residents
OF the District generally" said
captain James F. Oyster, president
OF the Washington Board of Trade
and chairman of the District Rent
commission, last night. THE COM
missioners have set a very good
precedent by recognizing ability in
our own people. Gessford was the
logical appointed
The Commissioners are to be
congratulated upon the appoint
ment- 1t was a wise solution of n
dlmcuit problem" said A. Leftwich
sinclair. member of the Rent Com
mission and former president of the.
Chamber of Commerce.
Col. Robert N. Harper, preside Mt
or the Chamber of Commerce. said
tnat resolutions had been passed by
all three. trade bodies some time
ago. favoring the appointment as
chief OF police of a man from the
ranks.
Meets With Unqualified Approval,
Charles, J. Columbus. secretary of
the. Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, said: I'VE are tickIed TO
death with the appointment. am
particularly pleased because I have
known Maj. Gessferd personally for
a number of years. and his promo
tion is well deserved"
Chairman Mapes, of the House
District of Columbia Committee, ex-
pressed satisfaction that a mem
Der of Washington's police force
has been appointed at its head. He
declared that 1t is an incentive for
the men now on the force to do
better work.
Inspector Clifford L. Grant, chief
OF detectives. whose name has been
prominently mentioned in connec-
tion with the appointment, last
night sent letter to Maj. Gessford,
congratulating him and Offering his
hearty cooperation in the admins
tration Of the department.