The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-11-09
POLICE CHIEF
SELECTION IS
KERN PROBLEM
High Democratic Command
FavorS MorriSSey, Say
Men on INSIDE

Mayor Elect John w. Kern was
confronted today with the necessity
of surveying the Indianapolis ex-
ecutive department personnel to
find appropriate places for political
supporters.
His patronage problem compli-
Gated by the fact Democratic ad-
ministration has occupied city hall
for the last five years and that
many present office holders are not
Objectionable to him, the mayor ELECT
let it be known he has given the
matter of personal appointments no
thought whatever.
II have been devoting all of my
time to winning the election" Judge
Kern said. Il have made no prom
ises of any kind to any one and I
don't know what will do about
appointments"
Talk MOrrissey Custer
Meanwhile, political observers
specialized upon probable charges in
the official personnel when Judge
Kern takes Office Jan. l..
In usually we'll informed circles it
was predicted freely that Michael F..
Morrissey, police chief, will be dis
placed when the Kern adminiStra-
ton takes Office.
Influential county Democratic
leaders are reported to favor the
retention of Chief Morrissey, whose
official record, they say, would cause
Mayor ELECT Kern no embarraSs-
ment.
Outstanding among reputed cam
didates to head the police depart
ment is Captain John Mullin.
Called Foremost Problem
Selection of a police chief, political
SPECTATORS say, will be Mayor Kern's
foremost problem.
If, for example, Mayor Kern de-
cides to dismiss Harry E. Voshell,
present fire chief, and appoint Ros-
coe Mckinney to that position, COM
plications arise in the selection of
a police chief.
Mr.. Mckinney, father of Frank
Mckinney, successful candidate for
county treasurer, was prominently
mentioned for fire chief during the
administration of L. Ert Slack.
In the event Mr.. Mckinney is
named to head the fire fighting
forces, political observers held it is
unlikely Mayor Kern would name
either Captain Mullin or Chief
Morrissey. He would seek to avoid
criticism that his principal appoint
ments went to Catholics, these po-
litical commentators say.
According to well-informed per-
sons, if Mr.. Mckinney is named,
Mayor-elect Kern will choose be-
tween Detective Chief Fred Simon
and Lewis johnson, present traffic
captain.
Board to Be Revamped
Appointment of the police chief
lies. technically, in the hands of the
public safety board, reorganization
of which is expected. Charles r.
Myers, full-tlme president OF the
board, was named by Mayor Reg
inald H. Sullivan because of long &C
quaintance as much as because of
party lines.
This also is true of Hubert S.
Riley, recently named to fill the va
cancy caused by resignation of
Frank G. Daley, and likewise of
Donald S. Morris, Republican mem
Der.
Walter c. Boetcher, works board
president, who directed the success
full campaign, probably will have
his choice of positions. There is
little doubt that Evans Woollen Jr..
present controller, may retain the
post if he wants it. In the event
Mr.. Woollen determines to retire,
however, Mr.. Boetcher probably will
receive Mayor-elect Kern's serious
cOOSidora finn for tho Y1OcitjO7