Evening star., 1946-02-11
Citizens Honor
Col. Kelly for
40 Years Work
Officer Called Most
Honest-to-G Goodness
Cop D. c. Has Knowr

Cop y. (. Hus Known
Col. Edward j. Kelly, retired
superintendent of the Metropolitan
Police Department, heard himself
eulogized at a testimonial mass
meeting in his honor at noon today
as "the most honest to- goodness
cop that Washington has ever
known"
The words of praise were spoken
before hundreds of citizens as
sembled in the Departmental Audi
torium by William e. Leahy, direc-
tor of District Selective Service and
one of the Capitals most prominent
criminal attorneys, who has served
scores of clients arrested and
brought to trial by Col. Kelly and
his police force.
Others who paid tribute to Col.
Kelly included Chief Justice Bolitha
Laws of District Court and Mai.
Harvey Callahan, successor to Col.
Kelly. Music was provided by the
Metropolitan Police Department
Band and a musical skit, barking
back to the days of 1906 when Col.
Kelly joined the police force, was
presented by the Roosevelt High
School chorus.
Leahy Traces Kelly Career.
Mr.. Leahy, tracing Col. Kelly's 40
year career as a police officer, told
the packed auditorium that Col.
Kelly's fate was sealed at birth.
First, he was a good Irishman,
and then his father was cop before
him and a good one, too. The
Kellys breathed the atmosphere of
the cop"
The speaker paid particular trib-
ute to Col. Kelly as IAN assiduous,
persistent, preserving, tireless detec-
tive who never allowed, himself to
be drawn off the trail by false
scents"
He has solved some Of the most
crimes ever committed in
this District" Mr.. Leahy said, "and
some of them presented only a cold
and helpless start when he began
their solution, with no clues to work
from and no information to guide"
Mr.. Leahy pointed to the success
sion of concentrations which have
been heaped on Col. Kelly during
his long career as eloquent express
sion of his ability.
Individual citizens, associations
OF citizens, corporations, his superior
officers, the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia, even the
President of the United States and
their Britannia majesties have each
and all alike put their names to the
convincing proof of Col. Kelly's ex-
ceiling efficiency, indefatigable in
dustry, unimpeachable honesty and
tested dependability." Mr.. Leahy
said.
Callahan Included.
The public tribute to Col. Kelly
opened with music by the Police
Band and presentation of colors by
the Police and Fire Post of the
American Legion, after which Rabbi
Norman Gerstendfeld delivered the
John A. Reilly, president of the
Second National Bank, chairman of
the Arrangements Committee and
officer at the mass meet
ing, told the assemblage the meeting
was being held to honor two great
public servants-Col. Kelly and Mai.
Callahan
This is good-by to Col Kelly and
welcome to his successor" Mr.. Reilly
said.
Justice Laws paid tribute to both
Col. Kelly and Maj. Callahan as a
fine combination, pointing out
that both were "of the fine Irish
race - as many other courageous
and fine chiefs of police throughout
the country"
The jurist expressed apprecia-
ton for their service for our court"
adding, II asked them for co-opera-
ton, and received more co-opera-
tion than I asked or expected"
McCarran Praises Colonel.
Congratulations were offered by
many distinguished personages, in
cluding Senator McCarran of Ne
vada and Arthur Clarendon Smith
former president of the Federation
OF BuSineSSmen'S Associations, who
knew Col. Kelly in his early days.
The testimonial, prepared by John
T. O'Rourke, editor of the Washing
ton Daily News, was presented by
John A. Reilly, president of the
Second National Bank, chairman of
the Arrangements Committee, and
presiding officer at the celebration.
The testimonial follows:
From the citizens of the District
OF Columbia on the occasion of his
retirement from the Metropolitan
Police Department on February /,
1916.
you have faithfully served this
Capital City since October 8, 1906,
as member of its police force,
bringing to your life work courage
and intelligence.
Career Is Tribute.
Rising from the ranks to the post
OF superintendent, your career is a
tribute to your fidelity and ability
and to the democracy which you
have served so well.
Though the normal problems of
your Office were made doubly difii-
cult in the years just past by the
extraordinary dislocations of war,
your efficiency and humanitarian ap-
proach crowned your administration
with success.
ITO racial problems, to problems
OF civilian defense, and other un-
usual difficulties during this time,
you have brought wisdom, tolerance
and patience as in the past.
"AS mark of gratitude and af-
fection, we salute you"
Policemen and
A~.1I@ CL:.LC,-