The Washington times., 1922-12-06
[EAN-UP
ON THEFT
/ ASKED
Commissioner Gives Police
Head and Grant 48 Hours
to Comply.

Commissioner James F. Oyster,
charged with the administrator
Of the police department, wearied
over the "trifling" of Superin-
tendent of Police Sullivan and
Inspector Grant Of the Detective
Bureau, has issued 48-hour ulti-
matum to these officials demand
ing their report and recommenda-
tions on the recent theft and
fraud episode in the detective
bureau within this time.
Other Losses Reported.
In making public his forty-eight-
hour ultimatum to the two highest
police officials. which will expire to-
day. Commissioners Oyster said he
had learned through a private in
vestigation that a number OF other
articles. besides the S68 and watch
which belonged to John e. Comm.
convicted handbook maker. We're
missing and that this knowledge
had convinced him that an Inn
mediate cleaning of the situation
was vital to the interests Of the
city. p a....
Commissioner Oyster said that
neither of the police officials had
advised him that these additional
articlesy + none OF which Is Of great
value, were missing and that he
called them to task on. this account
also during the course Of a tart
interview yesterday.
When pressed for an inkling OF
what the consequences would be II
the police officials fail to make good
on his ultimatum, Oyster said IL they
come to him today and, with good
reason. asked for twelve or twenty
their demands, but made II plain that
he would do nothing beyond this.
"If the theft Of the $6S and watch"
Commissioner Oyster said. had been
an outside job might tolerate delav
in running the matter out. But when
It occurred under the nose of the en-
tire detective bureau ] feel that 1t
should have. been sifted down long
before this.
what right have we to the con.
fidence Of the public in our detective
bureau" he continued, when II Is
unable to solve an insignificant case
In It's own officer" +,
Prodded for Three Weeks, .t
Commissioner Oyster also stated
that there would never be another
opportunity for anyone to eradicate
the police records with prepared solu-
tions or otherwise, as was done In
the Comm case, as he had ordered
all such paraphernalia thrown out Of
the detective office. In the future
Commission Oyster has ordered that
red ink lines be drawn through
entries which would otherwise be
eradicated.
Since the theft of Gomm's money
and watch was first discovered three
weeks ago the police officials have
been prodded by Commissioner Oyster
TO clear II up to the satisfaction of
the public. On several occasions they
have visited this office and promised
results within two or three days."
and It Ia this procrastination. which
the Commissioner feels to be unwar-
ranted. that impelled him to issue the
present edict. ,#
Oyster 10 also awaiting a generui
checkup Of all articles in the head
quarters safe and will demand nm
accounting for those which his
private investigation found to be
missing. -.q ~. .-s. ~
He will be. disappointed II the
report on the theft episode fails to
show that sufficient evidence has
been obtained to place a charge OF
grand larceny against the guilty
member OF the Metropolitan Pol ce
Force. However, he will be content
with nothing less than transfer Of
one or more men In the detective
force whom circumstances involve
in the affair In the name Of "in.
. compentencs' II nothing else.