Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-29
New Superintendent, Veteran
Peace Officer, Will Take
Over New Duties Monday
With Rank of Major.
COMMISSIONERS PLAN
SEVERAL PROMOTIONS
Department Reorganization Is Pro-
posed Following Induction Into
0fice-Shelby, Bean, Edwards,
Davis, Bobo and Barnes Are
Slated for Advance.

AlAcHNNNOA A4OAtAy NJ i oVVy Go
sistant superintendent of the Met
ropolitan Police Department, and
chief of the Detective Bureau, was
today appointed by the District
Commissioners to succeed Maj
Edwin B. Hesse as superintendent.
He will take over his new position
Monday, when Maj. Hesse goes
into retirement.
The promotion of Inspector Pratt had
been regarded as certainty and the
Commissioners action did not come with
any degree of surprise in police circles.
Before making the selection, however.
the Commissioners gave serious and
thorough consideration to the nearly
score of candidates for the position.
With the new superintendent chosen,
the Commissioners will concentrate on
plans for reorganization OF the depart
ment which will follow Inspector Pratts S
induction into Office At least half a
dozen outstanding figures in the de-
partment are slated for promotion.
Shelby May Succeed Pratt.
A tentative list of those eligible for
the Commissioners approval. The slate
is understood to have been framed dur
ing a series of recent conferences be-
tween Mai. Hesse, Inspector Pratt ana
Inspector William S. Shelby, assistant
superintendent and personnel ohcer,
Inspector Pratt's post as chief OF the
Central Detective Bureau, according 10
the tentative plans. would be given 10
Inspector Shelby. PrattS rank ,ol
assistant superintendent, which carries
with it an increased compensation OF
$3.50 year, would be conferred on on the the
Spector E. w. Brown in charge OF tne
Traffic Bureau. Brown, however, would
continue his present duties.
The program of promotions also pro-
vides for the elevation of Capt. L. II.
Rean of the first precinct to inspector
ia fill the vacancy in this rank due 10
the appointment Of Pratt as superinten-
dent. It is planned to place Bean
in charge of the detective bureau at
night.
personnel officer. would be advanced 10
captain under the tentative slate ano
fyiven direct charge of the personnel
bureau which Inspector Shelby now di-
rects. The vacancy created by the con-
tennlated promotion of Capt. Bean
would be filled by the advancement OF
IdelIt Ogden T. Davis, who was re-
Gently ordered transferred from the
fifth precinct to police headquarters.
It has not been definitely decided. how
ever. whether Davis would be put IN
command of the first precinct.
Bobo Slated for Advance.
Other promotions contemplated to NIL
vacancies caused by the series OF ele-
vations involve Sergt. j. z. Bobo. night
inspector, who is slated for lieuten-
q ancv. and Pvt. j. P. Barnes OF the
seventh precinct, who is mentioned Tor a
None of the personnel changes, 1t was
said, is likely to be made before Mon
day, as it is the intention OF the COM
nnissionerS to confer with the new su-
perintendent before he makes recon-
rnendations for promotions.
Pratt's promotion to the Supeflnteno-
encv was made by the Commissioners on
motion of Proctor L. Dougherty, VINO
has supervision over the Police Depart
ment. The official motion read: i move
that the following order be adopted
"Ordered. that Henry G. Pratt. assist
ant superintendent, Metropolitan Pollce
Department is hereby appointed MAJOR
and superintendent Of the Metropontan
Police Department. to take erect OF
and after April /, 1929"
shortly after being officially ADVISED
of the action. Pratt, in an interview
with newspaper men, announced ne
did not plan any radical changes In tne
policies of the department. tniIiK
the policies in force now are good ones,
he said. "and that will do pretty Wen
II we carry then on. 81,
"As to personnel, of course there Will
he several changes, but they are no'
ready to be made just yet, or not pe-
fore Monday at the earliest.
'eI haven't had time yet TO tninK Ou!
any details of the REORGANIZATION, ou'
a. o,,oht not to be a difficult matter"
Hesse Praises Successor.
Questioned as to his attitude on en-
forcing the prohibition act IN Wasnlng-
to,, Pratt said he thought the situa'
tion could be handled better II every
member of the department were giVer
authority to make arrests for Vloiations
of the law. At present this autnorlty
Is conferred on only one man IN eact
of the IA precincts.
"I think that Pratt should nave nae
the Job when it was given to me" sale
Mai Hesse. "He has always been my
candidate. I feel that I will leave thu
denartment in safe hands with him II
charge. He has always been square
shooter"
The new major and superintendent
veteran in the police service, ma
had a distinguished career. He Is
picturesque character, his 200 pound
towering above feet.
THE advancement of Pratt is the full
fillment of his hopes. During the ad
ministration of the late COMMISSIONS
James F. Oyster he was on the threshol'
of the superintendency, but tate de
layed his promotion.
Born in PassapatanZy, King Georg
County, Va, August 25, 1873, Pratt cam
to Washington at the age OF % TO ac
cept a position as money clerk in tn
Office of the United States Express Ct
He renamed there until August l, 1896
when he began his career in the Polio
Department.
Pratt Has Won Concentrations.
Numerous entries of commendation
have marked his official record OF serv
ice, now rounding out the thirty-secon
FEAR. The latest was entered June J.