Evening star., 1941-08-06
Kelly Is Named
Acting Head
OF Police
Maj. Brown to Go
On Extended Leave
August l6
By DON S. WARREN.


Inspector Edward j. Kelly today
was named by the Commissioners
as acting superintendent OF police
and will take over the direction oi
the department August 16 when Po.
lice Chief E. w. Brown starts ex-
tended leave as a prelude to his re-
tirement.
Selection of Inspector Kelly ap-
peared to have set the stage Tor his
ultimate appointment as permanent
head of the department, particular
ly since a major Shakeup in the
command of the police force now is
pending due to vacancies caused by
retirementS. Not only will a new
police chief be named, but also a
new assistant superintendent, a
number of inspectors and a new
head for the Detective Bureau, who
carries the rank of assistant super
intendent.
Inspector Kelly, called before the
Board of Commissioners at noon
to be told personally of the ap-
pointment, assured the city heads,
Il will do everything within my
power to make the Police Depart
ment efficient and to render good
service to the Commissioners and
the District residents"
After an informal chat, Inspector
Kelly said one of his first orders
would be that all members and Of
ficers of the department, except
those doing plainclotheS work or
certain other special assignments,
must be in uniform when on duty.
Commissioners Applaud Idea.
Some complaint had been voiced
during the House investigation OF
police efficiency that too many offl-
GERS wore civilian clothes instead OF
police uniforms during their police
service.
Commissioners Young and Mason
promptly agreed with Inspector
Kelly's idea. Mr.. Mason saying he
felt the order would stimulate police
morale and create better public re-
spect and confidence in the depart
ment, enhance the appearance OF
officers and let the public know
policemen we're on the job.
Commissioner Young said: I'VE
are giving Inspector Kelly tough
job-and he knows it. This selec-
ton was not made on the basis of
friendship, but because of the con-
fidence the Commissioners have in
Inspector Kelly's ability and be-
cause of his record as a police Off
GER"
May Delay Permanent Promotions.
In choosing Inspector Kelly, the
/ Commissioners passed over Inspector
James F. Beckett, senior inspector.
iIli The Commissioners have indicated,
however, that they may delay per-
manent promotions to high rank
until after the new police chief has
been appointed to permanent rank,
so as to give him an opportunity to
make his own recommendations.
Maj. Brown yesterday revealed his
plan to file his application for retire
ment before October 81. He applied
for 81 days of accumulated leave, to
begin August Is and run through
October. The request was approved
today.
Drop One Man Car Plan.
Meanwhile, the Commissioners
issued orders today for a cessation
of the experiment of having but
one police officer in police scou
cars. Hereafter, two men again viii
be assigned to all police cars. II
looked like a good idea" said Com
missioner Young, "and therefore We
tried it, but from reports l have re.
ceived it just didn't work out, Sc
we are dropping it,
The practice of having but one
man assigned to the scout cars hao
been adopted for some of the cars
about a month ago, with the idea
( of saving the extra man for othel
police work, but experience showed
one man in a car was handicapped
because his car had to be left un.
attended when he went to answer
a call, and that police work thereby
was slowed down.
Maj. Brown was questioned by thu
Commissioners yesterday about
number of matters in police admin
istration, to get his personal views
1t was said he suggested that th'
new police chief be drawn from tn,
ranks of the Police Department, i
possible, although he did not nam,
any one as his intended successor
In the past there were reports h
had once suggested that Inspecto
Arthur E. Miller, now in charge o
police traffic work, be named hi
successor. This suggestion was no
made yesterday, it was reported.
Maj. Brown also is reported t
have suggested the need fo
strengthening of the work of tn
police training school, the adviSa
bility of employing more colored pc
licemen and the idea of adding per
sonnel to the staff of the Polio
Woman's Bureau, including NOR
colored policeWomen.
Detectives Assigned.
Acting Chief of Detectives Ira
Keck today announced assignment
of men recently promoted in hi
bureau. They were sworn in by In
spector Beckett shortly before Cap
Keck's announcement
Detective Sergts. Irving Lubor
and Rubin Nichols will join the rob
berry squad, replacing Paul Ambros
and Howard Smith, respectivel!
who retired; George Cook will b
attached to precincts Nos. 6 and II
taking the place of Charles Can
non; Elwood Groves replaces Henr
Jett on the auto squad, and Fran
White replaces Tom Sweeney on tn
clothing squad. All men replace
have retired.
Sam M. Scott, promoted from pri
vate to precinct detective, will kee
his present assignment on the pub
lie relations squad.