Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-21
CITY HEADS PLAN
POLICE CHANGES
Move to Increase Efficiency
as Maj. Pratt Prepares
to ReIinquiSh Post.
Continued From First Page)

ton have not been disclosed, but the
Commissioners let it become known
that there is little likelihood of any
thing being done until Gen. Glassford
takes office. 1t is their intention, it
was said. to let the new police super
intendent build up his own administra-
tive staff.
Seek Stronger Discipline.
Aside from improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of the Police Depart
ment, Gen. Glassford will be looked to
by the Commissioners to inject stronger
discipline. the lack of which they be-
lieve was responsible for the recent
criticism of the force in connection
with the third-degree scandal.
Gen. Glassford was described as "ac-
tive, energetic and strong discipline
rian," but not of the ruthless martinez
type of Army officer. The Commission
ers believe he will make an excellent
superintendent of police.
incidentally. Gen. Crosby disclosed
how he happened to pick Gen. Glass
ford as the candidate to succeed Maj.
Pratt.
Gen. Glassford came into my Office
one day recently. intent on getting
tice ball" said Commissioner Crosby.
las soon as I saw him it flashed
across my mind that he was the man
] wanted. His Army nickname, in case
you don't know. is Happy He is a
man of absolutely unhounded enthu-
siasm and energy, always in happy
frame of mind. did not say anything
to him then. but I thought it over for
week and then preached the propo-
cit To n 7 whatever
NE did must be directed toward the JOB
of selling the police force to Washing
ton. I have every confidence that he
will do that very thing.
Looks for Mistakes.
: "I know he is going to make mistakes
and that these mistakes probably will
get us into trouble. But 1 also know
that whatever mistakes he makes will
be the result of two much action, too
much energy. Those mistakes are easier
to forgive than the mistakes Of mac
tion."
In addition to Maj. Pratt the high
officials of the Police Department VINO
have been examined by the Medical
Board include Inspectors E. w. Brown,
in charge of the Traffic Bureau; In
Spector T. A. Bean, head of the liquor
and vice squad, and Capts. J. E Wilson,
w. E. Holmes and NJ. l.. Raedy. One
other captain. c. l.. Plemmons. is sched-
uled to go before the board Friday, al
though he is soon to be retired because
of his age.
Inspector Bean is understood to have
passed the physical test This fact was
cited at the District Building to coun-
teract reports that he is among the off,
GERS likely to be retired.
Inspector William S. Shelby, assistant
superintendent and executive officer OF
the Police Department, will go out OF
office November with Maj. Pratt. The
commissioners approved ms retlrement
shortly before they acted on Maj.
sPratt's case, and at the same time in
!dorsed the retirement october 81 of
Capt Walter E. Emerson. This group
Iof retirements alone will result in the
promotion of a number of officers.
tAmong them are Acting Capt. Edward
81 Kelly, assistant chief of detectives;
3Iieut. Joseph C. Morgan. police COM
.tplaint officer; Lieut.. Sidney j. Marks
4of the fourth precinct. Sergt. William
! sMcDonald of the ninth precinct; Sergt.
Emil Desch of the third precinct and
5Sergt Ira Keck, liaison officer in Com
missioner Crosby's Office.
Investigation Is Delayed.
z Activities at the District Building in
connection with the retirement of Maj.
Pratt and the appointment of his sue
cessor served to delay the third degree
Investigation by Corporation Counsel
William w. Bride Completion of the
inquiry by the special committee of
lawyers into the grand jury's charges
against the Police Department also has
been delayed several days. due to devel-
opmentS in connection with statements
greported to have been made by former
sPoliceman Frederick A. Schenck, CEN
trail figure in the Staples case.
! Mr.. Bride has planned to begin his
f. study Monday on the voluminous report
1of the Department of Justice containing
Sevidence of Sc cases of alleged police
brutality uncovered in the recent in
!, vestigation which led to the indictment
sof 10 members of the Police Depart
J ,ment. Sudden developments in the
spolice situation, however prevented him
from carrying out his plans, but he
Eannounced today that he would under
[ take the study of the report tomorrow.
!, These Sc cases are ones classified as
as'non- indictable, but deserving. of in
,sfVestigation by District officials to de-
lstermine whether disciplinary action is
.awarranted against the policemen in
Evolved. Undoubtedly, it was said, some
1 of the officers mentioned in these cases
Evil be ordered before the Police Trial
aboard.
4 The committee of lawyers had plan
med to have its report and findings
sready for the Commissioners today, but
i9indications now are that there will be
ID delay of two or three days. In the
Ismeantine, the Commissioners predict,
There will be no more police news of the
- hea dino Irariptv