Evening star., 1928-09-11
But Maj. Hesse Says Retire.
ment Now Would Be
"Desertion."
SEES HIS Department
UNDER FIRE. AT PRESENT
Legislator Feels Military Man
Is Needed Here-Emphasizes
Unusual Problems.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.


STAFF Correspondent of The Star.
BRATTLEBORO. VT, September H.
Col. Ernest w. Gibson, who was an
officer in the World War and for more
than rs years in the State militia, as
chairman Of the Gibson committee,
which is coming back to Washington
in few weeks to see that the Police
Department of the National Capital Is
put in shape to do its full duty, be-
lieves that more military discipline and
morale would be effective.
While he and his committee have no
intention of trying to force out Mai
Edwin B. Hesse as superintendent of
the Metropolitan police force, they have
been informed that Maj Hesse never
wanted the job and is anxious to be
relieved of its responsibilities. If this
information is found to be correct, Mr..
Gibson feels it is unjust to require Mai.
Hesse to retain the Office as a civic
duty. If, and when, Maj. Hesse retires,
MIR. Gibson holds that military officer
and preferably a Marine Corps officer,
since they are international police both
on land and sea. might advantageously
be assigned to duty as superintendent
Of police.
The Federal Government should help
the city to clean up the scores of no.
torious gambling joints that have helped
to ruin many Government employees,
Mr.. Gibson declares, since such whole
sale gambling has seriously interferred
with efficiency Of the Government
workers.
Seen Most Efficient.
That "a Marine Corps or other mill
tary officer could most effectively cope
with this situation" Is Mr.. Gibson's con-
viction, because he would be bound not
only by his oath of Office to that par
ticular job, but by his oath as an officer
in the military branch of the Govern
ment and by his entire life training. He
would be free from any local entangle-
| ments or associations through having
served with other members Of the police
force. He could administer the Office
without fear or favor through friend
ships or ennnitieS.
"A very special reason why a military
ohcer Is needed" said Mr.. Gibson, "is
that his efficiency In that job would be
part OF his Official record in his profess
sion. 1t would be like any other tour of
duty on which he would be rated for
promotion. Besides he would have the
background of experience in handling
men ana inspiring them with a sense of
personal duty to the public, whom they
serve"
The peculiar conditions in the Capi-
tai where the Army is in charge of part
OF the police work In the parks and res
erVatlons and about Government build
mgs, and where there is so much con-
tact with the various branches of the
military service. also favors the selec-
ton of a military officer, Mr.. Gibson
points out.
Unusual Situation.
THE presence in the Capital Of such
large number of diplomats represents
ing the nations of the earth, of 53l
members OF Congress who must be
granted some special consideration. the
infiuX OF people from all over the coun-
Try VINO come to visit their Capital, the
large number OF Official automobiles, and
the thousands of Government workers
who make up the largest bloc In popu-
lation. all creates In Washington a con-
oltlon tnat does not exist anywhere
else" Mr.. Gibson said.
1T Is not local community: condi-
tlons are not as In any other city. It
is not right to expect any man who has
grown up IN the local police force to
handle this situation. It Is a situation
created by the Government and it is a
situation which the Government should
handle
Mr.. Gibson declared emphatically to-
gay tnat gambling joints. shown to be
must be put out of business and a
salutary lesson taught some of those
operating such places, so that they will
not soon be opened up again."
He disclosed that not only has the
Bureau OF Efficiency been investigating
the Pollce Department for the Gibson
committee, but men from other depart.
mentS Of the Government have been
USED. Some OF their most startling find
ings have been with regard to fiagrant
ana widespread operation of gambling
dens. he said.
Mr.. Gibson explained that while he
has not received detailed reports dur
ing the last three months, investigators
had been requested to keep In touch
with the situation. so that the commit.
tee may have reliable reports when il
resumes its work In Washington next
month. The Star was commended
highly by Mr.. Gibson for its independ-
ent survey of the gambling situation
since Congress adjourned. He said the
information presented in a series of
articles in The Star will be gone over
carefully by the Gibson committee.
Facts Are Confirmed.
These articles said Mr.. Gibson,
confirm the facts disclosed by investi-
cations on the part of the committee
1t is interesting to note that both sur
veys disclosed exactly the same condi-
tions. The survey by The Star was
thorough. and The Star Is to be COM
mended for Its work in the public IN
terest"
Mr.. Gibson in emphasizing that the
Gibson committee is sincerely seeking
10 improve conditions in the Police De-
partment and In law enforcement, ana
Is not trying to get" any city officials,
pointed out that lit was not intended
originally to make an investigation of
the Police Department. Several COM
plants were received by the committee
which related to conditions with re-
Spect to enforcement Of law. These
complaints came from apparently re-
liable sources and were specific" he
said. "AS result the Bureau of En-
cheney was requested to make q survey
and to give the committee such In
as could be obtained"
investigators were assigned from
other departments Of the Government
and the investigation proceeded for sew
eral weeks prior to June 1. These ex-
perts visited different gambling places.
played the games and obtained first-
hand Information as to the existence Of