Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Commissioners Expected to
Reach Final Decision
Before March 81.
CHIEF OF POLICE POST
ONCE NEARLY IN GRASP
Record of Service as Detective
Bureau Head Favors His
Selection.

OHCe before on Jne tIlTeSIlOIu Oh Tie
superintendency of the Metropolitan
Police Department, Inspector Henry G.
Pratt. assistant superintendent and
chief of the detective bureau, again
finds himself in the same position, but
with the post more likely in his grasp.
After several weeks of speculation, it
was conceded yesterday by those in
close touch with the affairs of the Dis
trict government that Inspector Pratt
most likely will be the choice of the
Commissioners as the successor to Maj.
Edwin B. Hesse, who has sought re-
tirement effective March 81. The
Commissioners, however, have not
reached a final decision, and, according
to present indications, probably will not
do so until the latter part of the week.
Mai. Hesse's retirement application,
approved by the relief board of the
Police and Fire Departments. Is ex-
pected to be confirmed by the Commits
sioners Tuesday, but that is as far as
they are likely to go in the police situ-
alton until Friday. 1t is regarded as a
certainty, however. that the new super
intendent will be appointed before MAJ.
Hesse steps out of ONCE.
Outstanding From Start.
Inspector Pratt has been the out
standing candidate for the superin-
tendency ever since it became known
that Mai. Hesse had filed application
for retirement, It is known that his
name still heads the list and most
likely will remain there unless there is
some unforeseen development this week
which would cause the Commissioners
to make another choice.
In their search for successor 10
Mai. Hesse the Commissioners have
given serious and deliberate conSidera-
tion to the qualifications and records
of all eligibles in the Police Department.
as well as those outside, who sought
the position. But by all the known
methods of analysis, 1t was said, Pratt
seemed to fit better into the picture
of a police superintendent than the
others. AS chief of the Detective
Bureau he has demonstrated his ad-
ministrative ability and in the same
position, it was explained, he has been
a stern disciplinarian and has shown
his efficiency as police officer.
The promotion of Pratt unlike the
appointment of superintendent from
outside the police ranks, would neces-
state a reorganization of the admin
istrative staff and bring about several
changes in the precinct commands In
a general advancement OF ranking OF
ficers to fill vacancies that would re-
suit.
Creation of Vacancies.
The elevation of Pratt would auto
matically leave open a position OF IN
spector. who would be an assistant
Superintendent, as we'll as the post OF
chief of detectives A police captain
likely would be given the inspectorship,
and a rearrangement made IN the ao-
ministrative staff to assign one OF the
inspectors to command the oetecCve
bureau. Such a procedure would make
a vacancy in a precinct command
which would be filled by the promotion
of a lieutenant.
tendency was back in the administra-
tion of the late Commissioner James
F oyster. but by a strange turn OF
fate he was deprived of the position
which had been promised him. Maj.
Hesse's retirement is the first occasion
he has since had to renew his hope
for the position. And in fairness to
Inspector Pratt it must be explaiisst
that he has not asked the Commits
sioners to appoint him. In fact. none
of the eligible ranking officers in the
department has asked for the position.
Promotion Once Arranged.
1t was when the late Daniel A. Sulli-
van was named superintendent OF po-
lice. that Capt. Oyster arranged for
Pratt's ascendency to the highest post
in the Police Department. Both Pratt
and Sullivan were the outstanding can
didates for the position at that time,
but the former stepped aside under an
arrangement whereby Sullivan was to
serve for a short time and retire. Death
called Capt Oyster before Sullivan re-
tired, and when his successor, Fred
erick A. Fenning came into Office, he
decided to reward HesSe for his 80
wears of efficient service in the Police
Department with the Superintendency.
Pratt has served in virtually every
capacity in the Police Department IN
his more than 80 years connection with
1t, and also has the distinction, 1t was
said, of being the only police official
who volunteered for service In the
World War.
The war service record of Inspector
Pratt began August 27, 1917. when he
was admitted to the Second Reserve
Officers' Training Camp at Fort Myer.
Va, for training as a civilian, for
commission. While at this camp he
was commissioned a captain in the
Aviation Section. Signal Oficers' Re-
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