Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-12
Commission SENDS
HESSE APPLICATION
TO RETIRING BOARD
will Be Considered at Special
Meeting to Be Held
March Fl.
APPROVAL Is HELD
FOREGONE CONCLUSION
Plenty Of Time to Pick Successor
Between Now and March 81,
Dougherty Says.

The application Of Maj. Edwin B
Ecsse, superintendent of police, for re-
tirement was referred by the District
Commissioners today to the Police and
Firemen's Retiring and Relief Board for
consideration and recommendation.
While the question Of a successor is
being given daily consideration, Com
missioner Proctor l.. Dougherty, under
whom comes the Police and Fire De-
partments, said before the board meet
ing today that there is plenty Of time
between now and March 81 to select
his successor"
The retiring board, it was learned.
will consider Maj. HesSe'S application
at its next regular meeting March 81.
Francis H. Stephens, assistant District
corporation counsel. who is its chair
man, said he knew of no intention on
the part of board members to hold a
special meeting. Since Mai. Hesse is
seeking to retire from office Oh March
81 on account of i'll health it was a
foregone conclusion that the applica-
ton would be approved.
In considering it at todays board
meeting, the Commissioners disposed of
the matter in comparatively short
time. His application was referred, on
the motion of Commissioner Dougherty.
together with the report of the board
the time the retiring board acts or by
superintendent's physical disabilities.
Free to Consider Names.
With the taking of this preliminary
step, the Commissioners are more or
less free to consider the numerous
names, from inside and outside the
Metropolitan Police Department, which
have been suggested to fill Maj. Hesse's
office upon his retirement.
ut is natural that we will give first
consideration to deserving men in the
Police Department" MIR. Dougherty
gave assurances today. THAT failing.
we shall next consider suitable persons
in the District. AS a last resort. we
have the whole United States to choose
from. I think there will be no real
trouble in making final selection by
the time the retiring board acts or by
March 81
Two members of the Senate expressed
different views today as to whether the
new superintendent of police should
be taken from the ranks or from out
side the department
Senator Jones. Republican, of Wash
ington. and a member of the District
committee. favored selection of man
from within the department. Senator
Caraway, Democrat. of Arkansas took
the view that the chief of police should
be chosen from outside the department.
Both Want Strict Enforcer.
Senator Jones said he preferred to
see such an appointment made by adj
vancing some one in the ranks, pro-
vided a man can be found in that way
who is fully qualified He said that If
FaI c91f,nri11tnf1dcs1f rN1llH not hH
found in the ranks it would suggest
the need for new men in the ranks.
Senator Caraway said he felt that there
are always factions within the depart
ment and that man chosen from the
ranks would be handicapped by that
situation.
Both Senators were strongly of the
opinion that the new superintendent
should be a believer in strict enforce
ment of the prohibition law.
Meanwhile. active campaigns Tor Sc
lection as police superintendent are pc
ing launched by some OF the members
of the force who are near the top oil
the eligibility list and in line for pro-
motion, Mai. Hesse's two assistants,
Inspector Henry G. Pratt and Inspector
William S. Shelby, have strong backing
from friends who feel their years OF
service and experience should be given
recognition Neither of these. however,
Is making any personal effort to secure
appointment.
Interested in StOtt.
It was learned today that members
of the Marine Corps are taking more
than personal interest in behalf OF
Cant. William G.. Stott of the third
precinct. Capt. Stott is an ex-Marine,
with evolutionary service to his credit
Years ago he organized the constabu-
larry forces of the Honduran government
following a revolution and received Tor
his exceptional work Communications
from American and Honduras govern
ment officials.
Mr.. Dougherty feels that the men
who have served the Police Department
long and we'll should be given special
consideration in filling the office. Mai.
fIesse himself was appointed from
within the department. There are men
on the force like Lieut.. Edward Kelly,
Capt. Robert E. Doyle and others who
have come up from the ranks.
Chances Name Brought In.
The name of Merritt o. Chance, for
rner postmaster of Washington, was one
of those from Outside" the department
which entered in general consideration
today Mr. Chance, however, is not
known to be seeking the post for him.
self, although at one time. years ago,
he figured rather prominently in mem
ton for the post
The District Commissioners, it was
learned, do not put much stock in talk
that Mai. Donald A. Davidson, Assistant
Engineer Commissioner. is candi-
candidate While Mai. Dawson has the
backing Of many who wish to see a
service man made superintendent OF
police. those in close touch with him
say that he has no desire for the Office
So far as could be learned today. no
definite recommendations with respect
to the appointment Of service officer
have come to the Commissioners from