Evening star., 1921-07-31

Private William Messer, a member
| OF the handbook squad. was given a
headquarters berth. Sergeants and
privates also were involved in the
rearrangement of the personnel. some
of the changes taking effect imme-
, diately. while others will not become
effective until tomorrow.
Captains TranSferred.
| The captains transferred are: c. L.
! E. Flather, from command of the first
| to command of the third precinct: Z.
w. Brown. from the third to the first;
| G. II. Williams. from the fourth to
| the fifth. and W. +. Sanford, from the
| fifth to the fourth
! The lieutenants affected are Martin
| Reilly, who goes from the first to
the eighth precinct: c. H. Bremmer-
man. from the second to the fourth:
| James Conlon. from the fourth to the
seventh: w. f. Holmes. from the
eighth to the first. and J. l.. Sprinkle,
| from the seventh to the second
! Commissioner Oyster, who is the
commander-in-c -chief of the police de-
! partment. recommended the changes
for the purpose of putting the de-
partment ION its toes" and increas-
ing the efficiency of the service. He
made no explanatory statement of
the action taken other than that 1t
| would be his policy to shake up the
| personnel from time to time in or
der to prevent it from getting into
"a rut"
Baur and Sweeney. denoted by
Commissioner oyster shortly after
! he took Office on information declar-
! ing they had given protection to a
shipment of liquor brought into the
District allegedly for the Russian
embassy. went hack 10 their old
posts yesterday. but Baur to remain
only for a day, as the Commissioners
provided for his retirement with pay
on account of illness Since their
demotion Baur has been engaged in
precinct duty. while Sweeney. as
| signed to Commissioner Oysters
office. has directed the activities of
the handbook squad Both men have
many friends in the District. who
INCREASINGLY have endeavored 70
bring about their reinstatement.
Commissioner Oyster told his col
leagues on the board he felt. in view
of the long and meritorious records
of the detectives in the service of the
ficiently.
Detectives Congratulated.
Congratulations poured in upon the
two detectives when it became known
they had been restored to duty. Baur
bore the reputation of being especially
successful in cases involving thefts Of
5ewelry. and during his long term OF
service he participated in many of the
important cases affecting life and prop
erty investigated by the police depart
ment. His recoveres Of jewelry
amounted to many thousan nds of dollars.
Born July 5. 1867. Baur attended the
local public schools, learned the trade
Of timer and, when a young man, en-
listed in the Navy. He was appointed
to a position on the police force July 5,
1890, and his successful work in South
Washington won for him a promotion
to the detective service. His record
from that time until his demotion, II is
stated. showed 100 per cent rating.
4 Detective Sweeney was born in Wash
ington July 20. 1878. and his first police
duty was performed July l, 1901. II WAS
because of meritorious service that he
was promoted to the detective force
three years ago. During the so-called
race riots during the war Sweeney was
always in the lead. searching for gun
toters' and persons bent on engaging in
the street conflicts. and his superior Of
ficers congra tulated him because Of the
bravery he displayed.
Former Detective Sergeant.
Detective Messer. who fills the va
cancy at headquarters caused by the
demotion of former Detective ]. e.
Grant, who, since his demotion. has
left the police department. is not a
stranger to the detective bureau. He
previously served as a detective
sergeant. A native Of Kentucky. Mes
ser served in the Army before accept
ing a position on the police force.
April IS, 1906. His work In arresting
crooks brought him a promotion to
the detective Office in 1911 and he re-
mained there until December. 1916.
when he was returned to precinct
duty.
The four captains involved in the
transfer order are among the best
known members of the force, Capt.
Williams being the Oldest In years
and point of service. having served
continuously since August 20, 1880.
He served in the United States Army
prior to accepting an appointment on
the police force.
Capt. williams was born in England