Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-10
SPR|NGMANN GETS
HOMICIDE SQUAD IN
POLICE SHAKE-UP
Five Members of Unit Moved
to Other Duties Under
Burke'S Orders.
CHANGES LAID TO SERIES
OF UNS0LvED MURDERS
Flaherty to Remain in Group De-
spite Request to Be
Relieved.

Headed by the appointment OF De-
tective Serst. James NJ. Springmann as
chief of the homicide squad. the reor-
ganization plan of the Detective Bureau
was announced today by Inspector
Frank s. W. Burke.
Transfer of Sergt. Springmann to be
head of the homicide squad and of five
veteran members Of that unit to other
duties constitute a shake-up which po-
lice circles believe Is the result of the
old squads failure to solve several SEN
SationSl murder mysteries
The men transferred from the honii-
eide squad are Sergts. Thomas Sweeney,
Joseph A. Waldron, Carlton TalIey
Charles e, Mansfield and James Col
Inns. Sweeney and Waldron, it was
request. As chief of the homicide
squad, Sergt. Springmann takes to that
unit the experience Of one OF the long,
est service records In the buresu.
Unsoived Crimes Listed.
Among the unsolved murders blamed
! for the Shake-up are those of Beulah
Limerick, who was shot at her home
last New Year eve. Mary Baker, Navy
Department clerk. who was criminally
attacked and killed April II, 1880;
Elizabeth Jaynes, Garden-T Shoppe
cashier, who was slain by bandits April
3, 1881, and jack Cunningham. rack
eteer and police informer, WHO was
put on the spot" May 10, 1881.
Waldron and Sweeney were members
OF the homicide squad during investiga-
ton of the sensational death of De-
tective Sergt. Arthur Scrivener. Vir-
GINA Mcpherson and Mrs. Aureiia
Dreyfus, all three of whom were finally
classed as suicides after long and
hectic inquiries.
FIaherty 10 Remain.
Detective Sergt. John F7aherty, head
OF the squad prior to Springmann's ap-
pointment today, will remain as
member of that group despite his request
to be relieved, Inspector Burke said,
while Detective Sergt. John Dalglish.
Robert J. Barrett, Floyd A. Truscott
and Dennis J. Murphy will be trans
ferred to the homicide squad along
with Springmann from other assign
ments to I'LL the vacancies created by
the shifts.
Commenting on Springmann's app
pointment, Inspector. Burke said: In
Sergt. Springmann whe have one of the
most experienced men in headquarters,
one who is widely known as a COM
petent and thorough investigator,
man who has the confidence and re-
spect OF the community. and q man
who, personally comes from a line Of
people who have been successful In
their undertakings for several gener-
atoms"
Bitrrett a nephew Of Detective Capt
Edward J. Kelly, former head of the
homicide squad, and now assistant
chief of detectives, and DalgliSh, for
merly worked on general assignments
under Lieut.. Clement J. Cox. Dalglish
as the partner Of Sergt. Springmann.
Earned Regulations.
Truscott and Murphy formerly were
members OF the clothing squad, and
earned enviable regulations as in
vestigators while. working with that
unit. Truscott, youngest detective at
headquarters, recently attended the
school of scientific crime solution held
by Maj. Calvin Goddard, famous ball
listics expert, at Chicago.
Detective Sergt. George Darnell is the
only member Of the homicide squad. be-
sides Flaherty, reappointed by Inspector
Burke.
Talley will work on the clothing SQUAD
in the future. while Waldron, Sweeney.
Mansfield and Collins will shift to gem
eral assignments with Waldron and
sweeney as partners Mansfield win
work with Detective Sergt. John Wise
and Collins with Detective Sergt Van
Doran Hughes
Others Are Transferred.
Detective Sergts. j. j. Tolson and
Chester Stepp. who have been general
assignment detectives. have been trans
ferred to the clothing squad to fll the
vacancies caused by the shifting of
Murphy and Truscott.
Detective Sergt D. G. Fletcher win
continue as head of the clothing SQUAD
while other FOLLOWERS are Detective
Sergts. Curtis Trammell. Thomas Sui
Ivan and Charles Warfield TrammeI
was transferred from the automobile
squad last, week to make room on that
squad for Detective Sergt. James e
Kenney, former precinct detective at No.
station.
Detective Sergt. A. D. Mansfield. for
mer precinct detective at No. /. who
was promoted with Kenney last week.
when Detective Sergts James Kane and
j. L. Billman were denoted for Gin
efficiency" succeeds Barrett as the part
ner of Detective Sergt. Harry Cole on
general assignments.
No changes are TO be made In the
personnel Of the check and business
fraud. automobile and narcotic SQUADS.
the detective chief announced.