Evening star., 1926-05-27
WHO WILL. RESCUE THESE BABES IN THE WOODS?
BLANTON BR|NCSUP
HEADLEY DEMOT|ON
Issue Discussed Before
House Committee Inves.
tigating Fenning.

The demotion of Inspector Albert
J. Headley to the rank of captain
was brought into the hearings this
afternoon of the House judiciary sub
committee inquiring into the impeach-
ment charges brought against Com
missioner Frederick A. Fenning by
Representative Blanton, Democrat, of
Texas. The committee did not meet
this morning owing to an executive
session of the full body.
Inspector William Shelby. admins
trative aid to the superintendent, and
personnel officer of the police force,
testified that Inspector Headley had
rendered good service" and had a
good record" Asked by Mr.. Blanton
if he knew of any good reason for
the demotion. Inspector Shelby re-
piled, Il do not" He further added
he never knew of a demotion from
rank of inspector in the depart.
LII 1t.
Under cross examination by Frank
j. Hogan. chief defense counsel. the
witness was asked: Had you any
connection with the demotion of
Headley?"
absolutely not" replied the wit
ness.
MFR. Blanton referred to the ap-
pointment of Maj. Edwin B. Hesse
as superintendent. who. prior to
July l. 1925, when he was appointed
assistant superintendent, occupied
the position of chief and property
clerk of the Police Department.
Inspector Shelby. in answer to
questions. said the major had no
practical experience as a patrolman.
MIR. Blanton then asked the effect on
the morale of the 1924 men in the
department brought about by the ap-
pointment of a civilian to the head
of the department.
Shelby Praises Hesse.
I'm this particular instance. Mr..
Blanton," replied Inspector Shelby.
lit did not affect the morale of the
department. because the men appre-
ciated the fact that Maj. Edwin B.
Hesse had spent 80 years in the de-
partment. Most of us realized he
was as we'll qualified as any one in
the force. I question If there is an.
other man in the force who Is as
capable Of administering the affairs
of the Police Department
MIR. Blanton explained to the COM
mittee that Inspector Shelby had
given this same statement to him
before the Gibson subcommittee and
he elected this reply to show he is
fair
He then asked the witness what
would have been the effect on the
morale of the apartment if a civilian
not possessing the high character and
ability of Maj. Hesse had been ap.
pointed. Inspector Shelby replied it
would have greatly affected the mo.
rale, and If the Commissioners had
gone outside of the department "or
picked certain officials in it, the de-
partment would have been wrecked" :"
Oratory at Session.
The session yesterday evening ended
in an explosion Of oratory by Mr.
Blanton of the type for which he is
noted but which heretofore has not
been employed by him before the
Judiciary committee. 1t came when
Frank j. Hogan, chief counsel for Mr.
Fenning. intimated that the Texans
labors were conducted with an eye
toward his Constituents" Waving
his arms and shouting at the top of
his voice, Mr.. Blanton declared: "I
don't get a bit of credit for this-not
a thing. There's not a man in my
State that will vote for me because of
this. I'm doing this work for the
World War veterans. the men l voted
to send to France: For the first time
in the committees deliberations there
was applause which drew from the
chair admonitions against such ex-
pressions from the audience.
Hogan Voices Agreement.
Mr.. Hogan's reply to the declaration
was, Il" agree, you ought not to get
any credit" Adjournment then was
taken.
When the meeting opened, Repre-
sentative Christopherson, Republican,
South Dakota, ranking majority mem
ber and chairman pro tempore, an.
nounced the conclusions reached by
the members in executive session yes
terday noon, at which time the ques.
ton of admitting an affidavit by N. H.
Robbins of San Antonio, Tex; testi.
mony given 20 years ago by DIR. Will.
liam A. White. superintendent of st.
Elizabeth's Hospital, and statements
made at that time by Judge"
Thomas. now deceased, was consider.
ed. Mr.. Christopherson declared the
facts set forth in the affadavit (Which
tContinssd on Fage .. Column ~