The Washington times., 1921-06-26
UP
OF ENTIRE
FORCE IS
DUE SOON
Commissioner Expected to An
nounce Sweeping Changes
Within Short Time.

The long-expected shake-up in the
Police Department probably will
take place in few weeks. Several
changes are in contemplation, it was
learned last night, bat. they are be-
ing held up so that all can be made
at once. The proposed changes viii
affect six police captains,
Commissioner James +. Oyster
has been giving the department
most Of his attention since be as
sumed office and it is said that the
proposed changes are the result Of
extensive study and inspsction on
kis part ss@'.s rssNs
REINSTATEMENT FOR TWO.
In the shake-up the reinstatement
OF Policemen Baur and Sweeney as
detective aergesnts is also contem-
plated. Both Bsur and Sweeney were
denoted on April 13 last. after an In
vestigatfon over the transportion into
Washington of several barrels OF
whiskey for one Of the embassies. Do
tectives Baur and Sweeney acted as
guards for the consignment while on
leave from the Detective Bureau.
Baur was transferred to the Fifth
precinct and Sweeney TO the Tenth
precinct. both for street duty. They
were granted part of their annual
leave and upon expiration OF the
leave Baur was transferred to the
Harbor precinct on account OF ply
steal disabilities and Sweeney was
detailed to Commissioner Oysters
once for special duty In connection
with the handbook cases.
Sweeney, since being assigned on
the special duty, has done orcellent
work and has won the admiratiou OF
Commissioner Oyster for his hand
ling OF the handbook situation. Baur
! 10 confined to his home following .
heart attack while on the Harbof
Precinct boat. from which he fell
Finto the river. He was saved from
drowning By fsiiow-offlcer.
II II said that the excellent work
Of Sweeney has led Commissioner
quarters. while Baur's physical condi-
tion has aroused the sympathy OF tho
Commissioner. II 10 understood that
Baur will immediately resign from
the Police Department or be placed
on the retired list. after he has been
transferred to Detective Headquarters.
Baur has an excellent record and was
considered one OF the best jewelry ex-
perts OF the department.
FIRST SIGN OF SHAMEFUL.
The first sign OF the shake-up In
the Police Department came yester-
day when every policeman doing desk
duty at headquarters and in the De-
tective Bureau was asked 70 wear a
Uniform while on duty. Heretofore.
pc""emen detailed for clerical duty
and officers Of the Police Department
have been working at desks in civil
ian clothes. The new order VIII af-
feet every member OF the department
from Mai. Harry L. Gessford, Super
intendent OF Police. down to the pri-
Yates. Tho detectives assigned to
headquarters and precincts will not
wear uniforms while on duty, being
the only ones excepted.
Just which captains will be In
volved In the shake-up Is not an
nounced. but II was said that at least
six of the eleven commanders OF
precincts will be affected.
The shifts are said to he the after
math OF the work OF the so-calied "hy-
ing squadron" which for the past
month or more has been working under
directions OF Commissioner Oyster In
the city and suburbe fel
| Commissioner Oyster has had sew
eral conferences with precinct cap
ltains and asked them the condition
OF their commands. They have re-
ported that they were 100 per cent
| perfect.
Despite this assertion, the ~fiy-
Ing squadron" has made numerous
arrests for violations of law In these
precincts. In some cases persons ar
rested are said to have been carry
ing on their unlawful business for
| months without being molested by
the police.
| II Is this condition that has
prompted Commissioner Oyster to de-
sire changes.
NO SUSPICION OF CRAFT.
Commissioner Oyster said last
ni&ht there was no intimstion Of
misfeasance In office or graft OF any
kind involved In the propoesd nc~A
He aald ne believed the police 1a90S