Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-03
Holds Agreement Exists to
Give Denoted Officer Rank
of Inspector Again.
DOUGHERTY DENIES
STATEMENT OF TEXAN
Representative Declares Police
Merger Would Result in Econ
, omy and Efficiency.

Declaring 'gentlemans agree
ment' exists between members of the
House District committee and the Dis
trict Commissioners for the restora-
ton of Capt. Albert j. Headley to the
rank of inspector, Representative
Blanton of Texas today submitted the
report of the House District committee
on his bill transferring the 61 park
policemen to the metropolitan police
force.
Immediately after Mr.. Blanton made
his statement on the floor, however,
Commissioner Dougherty, in charge of
police administration, declared that the
Commissioners know of no gentle
mans agreement" concerning Capt.
Headley.
mo promise has been made to any
one with regard to the Headley mat
fer" Mr.. Dougherty stated. MIR.
Blanton asked me recently regarding
plans. if any, for Capt. Headley's pro-
motion, and / refused to make any
promises.
Is In Line for Promotion.
Capt Headley is in line for promo
ton, as other captains are, but there
is no movement on foot here to rein
state him to his former post"
Commissioner Dougherty said there
was considerable pressure being
brought to bear in Headleys behalf
The District Commissioners, in re-
porting recently on Mr.. Blanton's po-
lice merger bill. recommended elimina-
ton of a provision for Headley's rein
statement, explaining that Controller
ri hac "a
municipal authorities already have
power to create another inspectorship
in the department. No reference to
any plans for Headleys promotion to
such position was contained in the
report, however.
Most of the committee report was
devoted to the recent case of former
Inspector Headley, who was denoted
to captain by former Commissioner
Fenntng, and constitutes a defense of
the police officer.
There is virtually a gentleman's
agreement between the Commission
ers of the District and this commit
tee for Albert j. Headley to be re-
stored to the rank of Inspector" Mr.
Blanton said. AS result of this
agreement, he explained, the COM
mittee had eliminated provision of
the bill requiring the Commissioners
to take this action.
s.q'ssf sxas the opinion Of the com.
mittee that the inexcusable wrong and
injustice heretofore done former
Inspector Headley by the former Com
missioner Fenning, who, because of
baseless malice, denoted the said in
spector from that to captain, should
be promptly rectified.
But inasmuch as the Board of
N 1icei ion org, b.axr L
this wrong and restore Inspector
Headley to his former rank without
specific legislation being passed direct
ing such action, the committee has
eliminated this provision from the
BILL"
Reads From Testimony.
Mr. Blanton devoted several pages
of testimony taken from the Fenning
hearing in relation to the Headley
case as well as the testimony of
Marshall r. Gore, the policeman who
complained about an alleged violation
by Mr.. Fenning of the parking regula-
tions, out of which the demotion Of
Inspector Headley resulted for his
failure to reprimand Gore as directed
Had it not been for the assurance
from the Commissioners that they
NOdld III OiilpIly IcSlOTC I1Cctu1ey 10
the rank of inspector, the report points
out that the committee would have
required such action.
Referring to the consolidation of the
park policemen with the metropolitan
force the report declared it was the
purpose to give the Commissioners
control over the entire District re-
speeting police and traffic. THE plac-
ing of the entire District under unified
police and traffic management will
effect economy. efficiency, better law
enforcement and better safety for the
citizens generally" the report said
Section was eliminated from the
bill, Blanton pointed out because the
street car merger bill takes care of
the situation growing out of the pay
ment of special traffic policemen by
the street car companies.