The Washington times., 1921-08-14
POLICEMEN
IN SHAKE-UP
ARE SATISFIED
Those Figuring In Recent
Changes Bow cheerfuIIy to
Oyster Regime.

Although many Of the policemen az
fected by the shake-up in the depart
ment Of August 1 were disgruntled at
their transfers from one precinct to
another, II was stated today that they
are acclimating themselves to their
new posts and duties and are giving
good service.
Officials say that it is too early to
learn just what effect the changes
have made for the good of the police
service. But, IL was pointed out that
every policeman. from the captains
down, is on his mettle.
Oyster Seeks Efficiency.
District Commissioner James r.
Oyster, who has direct supervision
over the police department, has made
II plain that he intends to give Wash
ington the best police service within
his power. He is determined that
every member Of the department give
efficient service in the protection Of
life and property.
Commissioner Oyster also has de-
clared that policemen who fail to
give the public efficient service. better
find other Jobs"
AS soon as Commissioner Oyster
took office, he made a general survey
Of conditions In Washington and the
efficiency of members of the depart
ment, particularly investigate just
what each precinct commander was
doing to clean up vice and other viola
tions in his bailiwick.
Opinion Of Officials.
1t is the opinion of several of
the police officials that keeping q
policeman on one post q great length
of time gets him in a rut. A change
of posts does him good. The recent
changes were not made because
those affected were inefficient. but
it was believed the transfers would
put more pep in the policemen and
would result In his giving the de-
ice.
One Of the big surprises Of the
recent transfers was that Of Lieut..
Guy f.. Burlingame. who was for
several years in charge Of tho de
tective bureau from 4 o'clock in the
afternoon until midnight.
I'm a good soldier" said Burlin.
game, when asked IL he had any
thing to say about his transfer.
He was detailed to the Ninth pre-
cinct Since he has been on duty
at the police station. Lieutenant
Burlingame has figured in a series
VI TRUE. mas ffldOe "a nuH1DeI Oh 1tf1'
portant arrests and has proved HIM
self to be a policeman Of unusual
ability. Because of the way he
took his medicine officials pre-
dict he will be promoted to a cap
taincy within a short time.
Rumors Of Changes.
There are many rumors Of other
changes in the department, but they
"a ~ he a mi Art 10
that two of the captains are to be
retired. II this should be done, the
retirements will result in six pro-
motions-that Of two lieutenants to
captains, two sergeants to lieuten-
ants and two second class policemen
to third class.
Every precinct captain realizes the
aim of Commissioner Oyster to give
Washington the best police service the
department can. They are earnestly
giving their best efforts, it In said.
Never before i'm the history Of the
police department have the precinct
policemen been as actively engaged in
cleaning up handbook making on horse
races and the liquor evil as they have
been since Commissioner Oysters in
cumbency.
An average of five and six raids on
bootleggers are made each day. and
Detectives Sweeney, Messer and Fow-
Ter, Commissioner Oysters picked
squad, as well as the precinct men.
are capturing daily scores of handbook
operators.
Yes, Washington will be one of the
cleanest cities in the country within
a few months" said an official.
Every policeman is on his feet and
doing his duty efficiently"
1t Is stated that policemen who work
posts on which handbooks and boot
logging are rampant will suffer the
consequences II the headquarters men
go on their baliwicks and make raids
without the policeman's knowledge.