Evening star., 1951-11-25
A Tough Spot to Be On

The Police Superintendent-designate Robert
" Murray, is the youngest of the higher police
officials considered for the appointment. At
46 ne is described as young man. To Major
Murray, as to all men of that age, this descrip-
ton may appear to be pleasantly f1attering.
However that may be, youth, rather than age,
is desirable on the part of any man who is
called on to fill what is one of the toughest
police assignments in the country-the boss of
the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since 1929, when Major Edwin B. Hesse re-
tired there have been six superintendentS of
police. Their average stay in Office has been
about three and half years. OF these six, four
OF them have left after incidents which involved
the department in public criticism and con-
troversy
Major Henry G. Pratt, who is living in Wash
ington now, succeeded Major Hesse. He lasted
for about two years, being retired for physical
disability following the famous third degree"
Investigations. He was not personally involved,
although Robert ]. Barrett, who has just retired
as superintendent was involved-with an indict-
ment conviction and then exoneration by the
dismissal OF charges against him.
Major Pratt was succeeded by Brig Gen.
Pelham D. Glassford of bonus-march fame
General Glassford lasted exactly year He
resigned in a huff when he attempted to make
certain transfers and reductions in rank not
previously approved by the Commissioners. A
last-minute attempt to patch up his differences
with the Commissioners came to nothing when
General GlaSsford went to bed thought it over
got up at o'clock in the morning, went to his
office and wrote letter of resignation which
he dropped in the mail box and then went back
home and to bed-a free man again.
Gen. Glassford was succeeded by Major
Ernest W. Brown, who is also living in Wash
ip0fo ay,I in 4I,
Brown lasted for about nine years-practically
record During the latter part of his admin
tstration the department was investigated by a
House committee. There was nothing in the
findings to involve Major Brown personally in
criticism, and he went out of Office as highly
respected as when he came in But he was
undoubtedly tired, and presumably fed up when
he applied for and was given retirement because
of i'll health.
Major Brown was succeeded by Edward J.
Kelly, who stayed five years and had rela-
lively successful administration. He was
sick man when he was retired, dying of heart
disease about month after he left Office. Major
Harvey G. Callahan was in office about year
and half. He suffered from fatal illness,
the nature of which he was unaware One of
the tragic elements of his retirement was that
the verdict of the doctors, given to him at his
He died shortly after his retirement.
Major Barretts four years or so in office
were never smooth, and during his admins
tration the Police Department was under al
most continuous investigation. Aggressive, even
belligerent in his defense of the department,
he was at odds with most of the investigators
most of the time. 1t is little wonder that high
blood pressure is one of the ailments which
brought about his retirement
Curiously enough the Washington police
have never been involved in recent times in any
scandal approaching in implications those that
seem to strike the police in other cities through
out the country at intervals. Perhaps its main
difficulty lies in the number of its critics, none
of whom has any real say or responsibility in
running the department.
Major Murray has his job cut out for him.
He ought to have public support, for he needs
it. And his relative youth, at 46, should be a
helpful asset.