Evening star., 1947-05-24
Police 'PoIiticking'
For Callahan S Post
Started Months Ago

Self appointed canQlQalcS 1oi
District police chief began" "politick-
ing for the job last January, even
before Supt. Harvey G.. Callahan's
illness started rumors of his re-
tirement.
This was brought out today as
the Commissioners made a ''rou-
tine" survey of possible replace
ments for Maj. Callahan, who an
nounced yesterday his recovery was
such that he expected to return to
work by July /. Maj. Callahan
begins his 18th year on the police
force Monday. He was sworn in
May 26, 1920.
If an official report shows Maj.
Callahan is able to return to duty
chat will solve the whole prob
lem," said Commissioner John Rus
sell Young.
In the meantime he saw nothing
indelicate in reviewing the field OF
possibilities when a department head
is seriously i'll, Mr.. Young added. II
was a procedure routine and neces-
sary" in an organization as large as
the District Government.
For four months, however, some
police officials have proceeded as
though Maj. Callahan's retirement
awaited only an expected announce
ment from him.
Congress Support Lined Up.
With little regard for secrecy
they have enlisted support of Senate
and House District Committeeman
lined up congressional delegations
from their native States, and gener-
ally organized political camps COM
plete with lobbyists.
Two weeks before Maj. Callahan
began his sick leave February /
every police precinct station in the
District was humming with rumors
that he was planning to retire
July /.
The rtlmors began with an order
by the Commissioners to transfer
three inspectors, move necessitatee
by the retirement of James F. Beck.
EFT, supervising inspector of the first
district.
Scheduled for transfer were In.
spector Ira E. Keck, from the secone
to first district; Inspector Clarence
Talley, from the third to second, anc
Inspector Oscar j.. Letterman, from
the gambling squad to the third.
Never Reached Headquarters.
One informant said the order
which did not bear the customary
recommendation Of the superintend.
ent, never reached police head.
quarters.
The inspectors involved protested
they had been promised other ar.
rangements-that Inspector Letter.
man was to go to the First District
and Inspectors Talley and Keck re.
tain their present jobs.
Upshot was that the order, to have
been effective February /, was re-
scinded by the Commissioners be.
fore January Is. But the rumol
factory already was turning out
choice bits about Maj. Callahan!
prospective retirement.
Several police officials have openly
announced their candidacy for the
top post. Three are known to hav.
sought support of members of the
Georgia, South Carolina and Mis-.
souri, congressional delegations.
Special favors for some congres-
sional leaders were said to include
free washing and greasing jobs al
the police garage and tickets to
athletic events.
Told that Maj. Callahan believed
he would soon return to his desk
Commissioner Young said yesterday
it was about the incest news I'vt
heard in a long time
He said if the Major is able tt
return to duty he will drop any con-
sideration of a successor.
Maj. Callahan neither has beer
ordered before a retirement boare
nor has possible shift in jobs beer
considered for him, Mr.. Young
added