Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-31
REPORT ABSO[VES
FORCE, HESSE SAYS
Retiring Police Chief Is Laud-
ed for Work by Banquet
Speakers.

Speakers.
Mai. Edwin B. Hesse, retiring tomor-
row as superintendent Of the police de-
partment after nearly 50 years in It's
service, was rendered banquet at the
Hotel Mayfiower by officers Of the de-
partment last night, at which repre-
sentative citizens joined in lauding his
work, expressing confidence in his in
tegrity and wishing him good fortune in
his retirement.
In reply to more than three hours Of
laudatory speeches, Maj. Hesse modestly
sidestepped the praise in favor OF the
men Of the department, whose loyalty
and labors, he said, were responsible for
any Of the success that the department
had had under his administration. In
speaking Of the work Of his men, Mai.
Hesse took occasion to refer to report
by the Bureau of Efficiency, following
an investigation made at the request OF
the Commissioners, which absolved the
department as a whole Of charges OF
graft heard during recent sessions OF
Congress.
"They did not find anything that
mattered," Hesse said. There were q
few minor things, Of course, but the re-
port meant that we were clean depart
ment. We have had no scandals In the
department. OF course we have had
some men in 1t that we didn't like so
well. 1t would be strange on force of
1900 men to find it otherwise. But as
a whole we are an honest police depart
ment.
"You have heard the charge fire.
quently that there is a ring In con-
troll OF the department. There Is. 1t
is composed Of the executive officers, the
members of my cabinet. I want to tell
you that there has been harmony among
these officers, and loyalty to the people
Of the District. That is the ring that
has been In charge, and I hope when ]
leave the department 1t Is controlled
by ring as eficient and harmonious
as mine.
Leaves With Clean Hands"
IT came into the Police Department, "
Maj. Hesse concluded. with clean
hands, and I go out with clean hands u
Another retiring officer Of the depart
ment, Capt. Guy e. Burlingame, who
had shared some of the experiences OF
his superior ofiicer under fire, came in
for share Of the kind words bestow-
ed on Mai. HesSe. The first speaker
DR.. Homer J. Councillor, director OF
the Vaughn Bible class, concluded a
speech lauding Hesse by saying: Il feel
should not take my seat without ex-
pressing also by appreciation Of the work
of that sterling officer. who has been un-
afraid to do his duty-Capt Guy E.
Burlingame. The remark was greeted
with loud applause.
Mai. Hesse, DR.. Councillor said, was
one Of the men who, by service, exalt
the ofiices they hold. Hesse did not seek
his job, DR.. Councillor said, but the
way he served the public when called
of men of many occupations to do him
honor.
Charles w. Darr. president of the
Chamber of Commerce, said the cham
Der had repeatedly by resolutions adopt
ed expressed its satisfaction with
Mai. Hesse's work THE criticisms
which have beset him from time tc
time have been absolutely unwarranted
He has emerged from them all with un-
shaken self-respect," Mr.. Darr said
He pledged the support Of the chamber
to Inspector Henry u. Pratt, who viii
take the oath Of ONCE as Maj. HeSse';
successor tomorrow. --: ..e."
Associations Get $4,000 Checks.
Edward F. Colladay, Republican ma
tional committeeman for the District
was called on for a speech, but instead
took occasion to present to Maj. Hesse
a check for $1,000 for the Policemen's
Relief Association. The money was
part Of the proceeds Of the Charity In
augural ball, and the presentation was
made on behalf of the ball committee
Mr. Colladay then presented another
check for $1,000 to George S. Watson
chief engineer of the Fire Department
for the Ftremen's Relief Association.
Odell Smith, chairman Of the public
order committee Of the Board Of Trade
recalled the days when Maj. Hesse
worked as clerk in drug store FOL
81 q week, and traced his rise through
conscientious performance Of duties te
the highest ONCE in the police depart.
ment. He said that as soon as Maj
Hesse's health had improved because
of his retirement, he hoped he would
return and work for the civic associa-
tons as well as he had worked with
them in the past.
Favors Hesse rs Representative.
Two former police Commissioners anc
two members OF, the present Board OF
Commissioners added their tribute. j.
Thilman Hendrick, during whose ad-
ministration Maj HesSe was chief
clerk of the department, and Frederick
A. Fenning, who recommended his pro-
motion to the position of major and
superintendent, were the former Com
missioners. Mr.. Fenning said he hoped
that in later years when Washington
was allowed the vote, Maj. HeSSe would
be sent as its representative to the
Senate.
Commissioner Proctor L. Dougherty
the present Police Commissioner, said
When during troublous days charges
were made against Maj. Hess, the Com
missioners checked up carefully on al
the available facts. After this investi-
CATION we wrote q letter generating
him, and the first thing he did with II
was to take it home to his wife. That
is the character Of the man. My daily
contact with him has made me realize
his sterling worth as public omcer
I do not think he could have survived
the many attacks made against him
however, If he had not had the support
of all Of the men on his force"
he had found in contact with Maj
Hesse that. the latter had no ONCE
hours, but was available for any kind Of
duty at any hour of the day or night
Engineer Commissioner William B. La
due, who was unable to be present
wrote letter commencing Hesse.
Blanton Letter Is joke. &.
Inspector william S. Shelby, who
acted as POSTMASTER, created sensa-
ton when he began reading another
regret" letter dated in Abilene, Tex.
the home town of Representative
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