Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-20
Brown, Headley
and Bean Also
to Appear.
OTHER RANKING
OFFICERS LISTED
Chiefs Retirement
Is Recommended
by Board.

Retirement of Maj. Henry G
Pratt, superintendent Of police
for physical disability is under
stood to have been the recon-
mendation today of a medical
board which examined the police
chief and submitted a special re-
port to the District Commissioners.
The Commissioners Immediately
convened in special session to con-
slider the recommendation. They
announced they WOULD issue a
statement later this afternoon.
Meanwhile the retirement and
relief board was called into ses-
sion at 2::30 to act on the same
report If approved by the re-
tirement board the report was
expected to be acted on imme-
diately by the Commissioners.
Mai. Pratt was one of more
than 100 members Of the force to
be examined for physical dis
ability.
Mai. Pratt, it is reported, will
be retired shortly for defective
eyesight. and Inspector Stoll.
is expected to be relieved because
of age.
Maj. Pratt, 1t is believed, went
before the board of surgeons OF
his own volition. He has wanted
to leave the Police Department
for some time, it was pointed out,
but had hoped to remain with
the department until he could be
retired for age. Eye trouble, how
ever, Is supposed to have led him
to choose the opportunity to sub
NIT himself for physical exam
nation, in the belief that the
board might find him incapaci-
tated for further duty.
The Board of Police and Fire
Surgeons convened today at No. %
engine house to begin its sweep
ing examinations. Maj. Pratt and
a group Of inspectors. including
Ernest w. Brown, assistant super
intendent of police; Albert j
Headley and Thaddeus A. Bean
were among those slated for eX-
animation first.
Pratt was one of the first to ap-
pear. His examination was con-
cluded in about 10 minutes.
About LOT members of the oe-
partment who have attained the
retirement-e eligibility age of SIS
years have been ordered to APP
pear before the board of surgeons.
Included in the list are many of
the high-ranking officers of the
department, from lieutenantS up
Others Before Board.
The police officers. beside Maj Pratt
who appeared before the examining
board today were:
Inspector E. w. Brown, assistant
superintendent.
Inspector T. A. Bean, chief of the
liquor squad.
Capt. J. E. Wilson, Capt. w. E.
Holmes and Capt. NJ. l.. Raedy; Lieuts.
D. j. Cullinane. w. o. Embrey. j. E.
Bobo, Gustav Lauten, j. T. Wittstatt
and A. w. Guyer.
Detective Sergts Eugene Davis, John
Foley and Charles Mullen.
Sergt. William Macdonald. Thomas
Mcnamara, George M. Little, Buell.
Stanley. j. S. Johnston, C. r. Brown
and T. T. Dollhouse.
Action Held Significant.
The general examination Of all police
men who are SIS or over is said to be
routine procedure" but in view of per-
SiStent rumorS, which have been freely
discussed in police circles since the
framing of the Department of Justice
report on police conditions in general
based on specific brutality cases, par
ticular significance was attached to the
proceedings.
Mai Pratt has been examined twice
before by the Medical Board and found
fit for duty, despite defective vision.
Action of the examining board fol-
lows closely decision of the surgeons
last week to recommend the retirement
for physical disability of Inspector Will
liam S. Shelby, assistant Superintend-
ent of police. Shelby, victim of a
nervous disorder attributed to overwork,
is to retire November l.
Maj. Pratt is SO years old and he has
been a member of the police force for
35 years. Under retirement procedure,
a member of the force Is eligible for
retirement benefits If he is SIS, bad
been IN the service rs years and is
physically incapable of continuing his
duties.
Inspector Stoll, under the retirement
law, may be retired without physical
cause. He is 81 years old. Under the
1NoufIDuod on pooe NoIupop Q