Evening star., 1925-08-05
c. OF c. AGAIN HITS
HEADLEY DEM0T|0N
Commissioners Reply Held
Unsatisfactory, But Case
Is Left Closed.

Maintaining that Its previous reso-
luton asking hearing for former In
spector Headley in regard to his de-
motion was in the interest of justice,
and that the board still believes the
summary action to be unjust and un-
fair" the board of directors of the
Washington Chamber of Commerce,
in a letter to the Commissioners to-
day, indicated that the Commissioners
reply to it's resolution was not salts
factory, and declared that the cham
ber reserved the right to criticize and
question any apparent unfairness or
injustice to any citizen.
The letter was sent today following
meeting OF the board of directors of
the chamber last night. At this meet
ing the reply of the Commissioners to
their original resolution was consid-
cred. The majority of the board felt
that the Commissioners had misunder-
stood the resolution. They pointed out
that they do not question the right Of
the Commissioners to make changes
when for the good of the service, but
that their resolution was predicated
upon the demotion from inspector to
captain and not mere change Of
duty.
Reply Unsatisfactory.
The board clearly indicated last
night that 1t could see that the de-
motion of former Inspector Headley
was a closed matter, and it felt at the
same time that the dignity Of the
chamber required that 1t could not &C.
cept the Commissioners communica-
ton as satisfactory. There will be no
effort. however. on the part of the
organization to urge the reopening OF
the case.
The Commissioners in substance
told the chamber in their reply to the
original resolution that former In
spector Headley's case had been given
unusual consideration, that a public
hearing would not be compatible with
public good and that the proper
conduct of the traffic department re-
quired his being changed.
Considerable debate was held on the
Commissioners reply, and the vote to
send the communication written today
was IL to 4. Harry King, Robert N
Harper, Charles W. Darr and John A.
Eckert spoke against the manner in
which former Inspector Headley was
denoted.
Text of Chambers Letter.
The letter sent today to the Com
missioners reads as follows:
Il am directed by the board of di-
rectors of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your letter of July 10, 1925,
intended by you as an answer to their
communication of July 8, 1925. in re
the demotion of Inspector Headley.
Your letter was brought to the
attention Of the board on Tuesday eve-
N xx-hS l,4
meeting of the board since it's receipt
and the first opportunity for its con-
sideration
The board does not question your
responsibility for the administration
of the affairs of the District, and
your legal right to change the as
signments of members of the Police
and other departments when such
changes seem to be for the good of
the service, and the board is in hearty
accord with such action.
THE question raised, however, by
the board of directors Is not that of
a change in assignment or duty. but
demotion without apparent notice or
warning. The board believes such
summary action to be unjust and un-
fair. If a public hearing is not war
ranted, the officer in question should
at least have been advised Of the pro-
posed action and given an opportunity
to speak for himself.
THE board believed that it's resolu.
ton was in the interest of justice,
and it's action in the adoption of the
same, as well as the authorization of
this letter, is, with all due respect
to your honorable body, being sub
mitted in the endeavor to right what
seemed to the board of directors to be
a grievous wrong.
THE board assures your honorable
body of it's purpose, now as in the
past, to support your administration
of District affairs, while reserving the
right to criticize and question any
apparent unfairness or injustice to
any citizen"
Bryan Paid Tribute.
Tributes were paid to the late Will
liam Jennings Bryan and the follow
ing committee was appointed by
President Lloyd of the chamber to
draw up resolutions to be presented
at the next full meeting of the cham
Der and to be sent to Mrs. Bryan.
A committee consisting of Ivan c.
Weld. A. E. Seymour and Charles w.
Darr was appointed to discuss with
the Commissioners the condition of
Twelfth street between B northwest
and Water streets southwest. This
street, 1t was said, is almost impossible
for use by the trucks that bring pro-
ducts to the market from the freight
yards. The board voted to assume
the deficit in regard to the Col. Harper
dinner, and will later consider the
possibility of an annual outing at the
Congressional Country Club some time
in September