Evening star., 1928-09-11
HESSE TIRED" OF JOB.
But Will Not Retire When Department
us Under Fire"


rs Under Fire."
Maj. Hesse admitted today that he Is
tired" of his job as superintendent of
police and would willingly retire volun-
tarily, but pointed out that he did not
intend to make such a move at this
time while the department "is under
fire."
It has been known for some time that
Maj. HeSSe was anxious to be relieved
of his responsibilities, but that pressure
has been exerted to prevent him from
applying for retirement. Rumors we're
circulated in June that the superintend-
ent had planned to ask to be retired,
but that he was urged to remain at least
until the budgetary estimates of the de-
partment for the next fiscal year had
been completed and his annual report
to the Commissioners written,
The estimates have long since been in
nnal shape and the annual report Is
virtually completed, but the recent out
break of criticism of the Police Depart
ment has, he believes, made it incum-
bent upon him to remain until the
storm is over"
Seen as "Desertion."
Nothing would please me more than
long rest" said Maj Hesse when told
Of the dispatch from Brattleboro sug-
geSting that he retire. Il have worked
day and night for the last three years
without vacation" he declared, "and I
think I now deserve a rest. would
willingly retire Immediately, but do not
believe 1t would be the proper thing to
do while the department is under fire.
1t would constitute form of desertion. I"
Maj. HeSse said that he believes he is
eligible for retirement on the ground OF
physical disabilities incurred in line of
duty. While he has been connected with
the department for 35 years, he has been
with the uniform command as super
intendent for only three years of this
period, and under the retirement act
would be required to serve % years more
before he would be eligible to retire un-
der the service requirement.
For 80 years Maj. Hesse was on a
clerical status. He was made Superin-
tendent by former Commissioner Fred
erick A. Fenning while serving as chief
clerk OF the Police Department.
Issues Statement.
Maj. Hesse today issued the following
statement:
THE conditions, which. by inference
in the columns of the public press, are
alleged to exist in the Metropolitan
Police Department of the District of
Columbia, do not exist in fact
Such articles appearing in the pub
lie press, however have tendency to
disturb the morale of the department,
and, what is far graver condition,
,, will, if continued, have the inevitable
effect of destroying public confidence
| in the police arm of the municipal
service, a confidence, which for many
years, has been unshaken.
Further. such articles unsupported
by any evidence of conditions of graft,
or of malfeasance or nonfeasance In
Office, are an open invitation to MEM
bers of the force so inclined to commit
acts such as might Justly the charges.
ITO date, the Police Department, In
spite of almost unsurmountable obsta-
cles. is functioning effectively and ehi-
| GENTLY.
with respect to discipline in the de-
partment. an examination Of the rec
ords proves conclusively that the vast
| majority of cases referred to the trial
! board in the past three years have
been for minor infractions of discipline.
| the commis"ion of which is inseparable
| from the operation of any large group
of individuals under rigid rules set up
for its conduct, and in this connection
it may be stated that an honest and
concerted Effort has been and Is being
made to separate from the department
those members of the force whose con-
duct is such as to demand removal.
Scores Insinuations.
Yelled insinuations of widespread
graft and corruption in the department
have a more far-reaching and damag.
ing effect on a greater group of per-
sons than is generally realized. Such
charges affect not only the 1,348 men
connected with the department, but
their wives and children, their mothers
and fathers. and other members OF
their families.
reiterate former statements to the effect
that have always welcomed con.
structive criticism. and at this time fee
that must avail myself of the oppor.
tunity to deplore the unjust criticism
that has recently been heaped upor
this department"
Policemen to Meet.
Announcement also was made toda.
that the Policemen's Association, arouSet
by the criticism, has called a specia
meeting to discuss plans to Offset tn,
fears that have been imbued In tn
men and their families as result o
| recent developments. The meeting vii
be held Thursday night at o'clock II
the sixth precinct station.
AS the new police trial board mad
arrangements today TO sit for the frs