Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-13
ONLY TWO PERSONS
HAVE So FAR ASKED
FOR HESSE'S PLACE
Much Larger Number, How.
ever, Receive Citizens
Endorsement.
HOOVER SUGGESTIONS
ARE BELIEVED LIKELY
No Member of House or Senate Has
Sent in Names of Prospective
Candidates to Commissioners.

Although a number of citizens and
police officials have received strong in
dorsements for appointment as super
intendent of police to succeed Maj.
Edwin B. Hesse when he retires, Com
missioner Proctor L. Dougherty let 1t be
known today that only two persons have
applied for the position.
The candidates are Mai. Gen. Mark
L. Hersey. retired, of 27l4 Cathedral
avenue, who has had long career in
the Army. and Henry E. Solomon.
member of the Coast Guard and former
policeman.
The District Commissioners have re-
ceived as yet no communication from
anv member of the Senate or House
suggesting candidates to succeed Maj.
Hesse, whose application for retirement
comes up for action before the police
and firemen's retirement board on
March 81.
While some members of the two Dis
trict committees in Congress are known
to favor the selection of some one whose
interests are wholly outside the District
of Columbia, others are said to be OF
the opinion that the appointment OF a
police superintendent is a matter which
concerns the District government only.
Hoover Is interested.
1t Is thought not at all unlikely, how
ever, that President Hoover may have
some suggestions to make to the Com
missioners.
President Hoover has taken no such
step as yet and before he would do
anything of the kind it is known that
he would invite the District Commits
sicners to come to the White House to
confer with him. The principal reason
for the belief that Mr.. Hoover might
take some interest in the matter is due
to his expressed desire for stricter
enforcement of the prohibition law and
all other laws. not only in the Capital,
but throughout the country. In this
respect it has been suggested that the
President might care TO have Wash
ington, the Capital City. serve as
model for the rest of the country In the
enforcement of laws, and for that rea-
eon would be anxious to see the adj
E.ilistration of police affairs In the
tapital in especially capable hands.
There is every reason to feel that Mr..
Hoover will do nothing in this respect
that might carry the impression that
he is attempting to dictate. And there
is not the slightest reason to suppose
that his interest, If he eventually dis
plays any. will go as far as to cause
him to suggest any individual to the
Commissioners. 1t has been limited that
he might think favorablS of the idea of
selecting some man from the industrial
field who has demonstrated a genuine
capacity not only as an administrator,
but as handler of men.
Hersey Has Strong Backing.
Maj. Gen. Hersey is said to have the
backing 81 many persons who believe
that the next superintendent of police
should be taken from the ranks of the
Army or Marine Corps. It is known
that his application will be given serious
consideration.
The name of Gen. Hersey was for
warded to Commissioner Dougherty by
Lieut.. Col. U. S. Grant. Sd, superin-
tendent of public buildings and public
parks. This action on Col Grants part.
however. is not to be construed as a
personal recommendation He merely
transmitted Gen. Hersey's application
for the position at the latter's request.
Gen. Hersey is IS years old, veteran
of several campaigns, including the
World War, and is a graduate of the
United States Military Academy He is
the holder of the Distinguished Service
Medal and made record for himself
years ago with the Philippine Constab-
ulary
The fact that he has applied for the
position is favorable indication since
the Office of superintendent of police
carries salars of only $500 year,
which is nor counted upon to entice
many applications from outside the
Police Department. Gen. HerSey enter
ed West Point as cadet in 1883 and
served continuously in the Army until
his retirement in 1924. He is an hon.
orary doctor of laws of Bates University
and the Uni yersity of Maine, his native
State
While Solomon's letter of application
made favorable impression upon COM
missioner Daagherty, his age is believed
to be ba. to appointment. He is %
years old. he served two years on the
local police force. resigning in 1927 to
enter the Cast Guard. He previously
served in the Navy.
Commissioner Dougherty. upon whose
recommendation the board will act.
said today his mind is still open on
the selection of new superintendent.
He is still of the opinion that prime
consideration should be given those
officers on the force who have shown
themselves as especially deserving of
promotion.
Three police officials. Inspectors
Henry G. Pratt and William S. Shelby,
and Capt. Robert E. Doyle of the eighth
precinct. are known to be receiving
consideration.
Retired Marine Mentioned.
Another name figured today in con-
sideraton of the post that of Maj.
Harry Leonard, retired Marine officer,
who has been a resident of Washington
ton since boyhood. While Maj. Leonard
has not applied for appointment, it is
known the position would be accept
able to him.
Due to the difficulties of finding suit
sble men TO undertake such an import
ant responsibility on the $500 salary
which the Office pays. Mr.. Doughcrty is
giving consideration to the question of
appealing to Congress. If necessary, for
en- increase In the salary to make it
more attractive.
Whether this can be done through
reallocation of the Office by the Person.
mel Classification Board is a matter
which the Commissioner intends to look
into It is his opinion that the salaries
of chief of police and chief of the Fire
Department are fixed by statute and the
attitude of the appropriations commit
tees is known to be opposed to an in
crease at this time.