Evening star., 1935-06-28
Announcement of Promotion
Follows Texans Visit
to Commissioners.
CAPT. EDWARD KELLY
TO BECOME INSPECTOR
"Gentlemen's Agreement" Be-
tween Brown and Representa-.
tive Is Carried Out.
BY DON S. WARREN.

Representative Blant0n OF IeXaS
today won a complete victory for his
plan for changes in the police admin
istration when the commissioners pro-
NOTED Inspector Albert J. Headley to
be assistant superintendent of police,
and retired Inspector Thaddeus p.
Besu, effective July /. Capt. Edward
j. Kelly, commander of the Third Pre-
cinct, was promoted to inspector.
This carries into effect the gentle
mems agreement" made months ago
by Blanton with Maj. Ernest w.
Brown, superintendent of police, which
was disclosed at the rectnt hearings
before the House Crime Investigating
Committee
Blanton made a personal visit
to the Commissioners shortly before
noon while they were considering the
promotions. He said he asked them
to 60 fishing in Texas. The Com
missioners yesterday said they would
not fill the vacancy caused by the
retirement of Assistant Supt. Bean,
Announcement Follows Visit.
A half hour after Blanton's surprise
call the secretary of the board an
nounced Headleys promotion.
Kelly will fill the vacancy left by
Bean. Lieut.. A. E. Miller was pro-
NOTED to captain to take Kelly'S place.
Detective Sergt. Floyd Truscott was
promoted to lieutenant and Pvt. Guy
Rome was elevated to detective SER
geant.
Kelly was selected to be inspector
from a list of five candidates the
Commissioners said had been highly
recommended. Others considered
were Capt. Ira Sheetz, tenth precinct;
Capt. William E. Holmes first pre-
cinct; Capt. Maurice Collins, seventh
precinct, and Capt. James E. Bobo,
second precinct.
In selecting Kelly to be inspector
the Commissioners chose a younger
officer and one regarded as more
aggressive rather than to make the
selection on the basis of seniority.
Kelly has been captain only since
1881, whereas Capt. Sheetz has been
commander since 1922.
Allen Leaves Building.
Commissioner Allen left the board
session before the announcement was
made, and Commissioner Hazen left
the building while Roland Brennan.
the boards secretary, was making the
announcement.
All three Commissioners previously
had refused to announce their de-
cision until a half hour had passed
after the visit of Mr.. Blanton.
Maj. Brown, who previously had
consulted with the Commissioners. was
summoned hastily to return after
Blanton had talked with the board.
Blanton had talked with Maj. Brown
at police headquarters before he went
to the District Building.
Headley's promotion will give him
an additional salary of $500 year.
During the discussions that followed
disclosure of the ''gentlemen's agree
reports that Headley would retire
shortly after he had been made as
sistant superintendent He reaches
the age of 65 July 21. Secretary Bren-
nan said there had been no discus
zion at today's board meeting of any
question about Headley's retirement.
The recent crime subcommittee re-
port, now up for reconsideration by
the House District Committee. sug-
gested that all members of the high
command of the Police Department
be retired when they reach the age
Of IS.
Son of Police Officer.
Kelly is son of the late Lieut.. John
F. Kelly, outstanding police official who
commanded the old sixth, now the
first precinct. His 20 years service in
the department shows 81 commenda-
tions
The new inspector was born in this
city December 9, 1888, in the vicinity
of First and G streets and attended
Gonzaga College prior to his appoint
ment October 13. 1906. He was given
a position In the detective office De-
cember. l, 1915. having previously
served as precinct detective.
During his term of service as de-
tective sergeant he participated in the
investigation of many important MUIR
der and other mysteries and served in
the capacity of chief of detectives
many times. Before serving as detec-
tive sergeant he was liason officer. per-
forming service for the Civil Service
Commission.
fPictnre on Page A-5.)