The Times

TO ADVANCE POLICEMEN SOON.
Examination Reports to Be Hurried Through This Week.

The Civil Service Commission. at the urgent request of Major Sylvester. has made a special order for the immediate correction of the examination papers of the fifty odd applicants who were recently examined for appointment on the police force. The results will be made known in a few days. There are about forty-five appointments to be made before July 1. There appears to be a lamentable dearth of good material from which to make the appointments, considering the great number of men who are seeking the positions. Hundreds presented themselves before the Board of Police Surgeons. but of that number less than sixty passed the physical examination and are now anxiously awaiting the result of the mental test. There were about a dozen men on the eligible list before the recent examination. and of that number about six have been selected for immediate appointment. it is understood. After an applicant has passed both the physical and mental examination and has been placed on the eligible list. a further weeding out process is resorted to. There is probably no police force in the country where greater care is exercised in the selection of men than in Washington. Not satisfied with the affidavits as to character which are filed with the application papers and which are supposedly from friends of the applicant. an investigation is made by the police on their own account. The name of the prospective appointee is sent to all of the police lieutenants in the city, with the request that they furnish Major Sylvester with a memorandum of whatever they know regarding the party, whether favorable or otherwise. One of the headquarters' detectives is also assigned to the task of looking up the record of the applicant. to find if he has ever been in trouble or involved in any questionable escapades. The chances are that the Superintendent of Police will know all about the affair when the papers are finally placed before him to pass upon the fitness of the applicant for appointment. It is the desire of Major Sylvester to announce the new appointees at as early a date as possible. so as to permit of their being properly equipped and uniformed and ready to go on duty as full-fledged policemen on the first day of July. In addition to the six that will probably be announced today it is believed that about a dozen others have been about decided on, and only their final reports are being awaited. It is understood that the slate for promotions has about been made up. and if it meets with the approval of the Commissioners it may be announced either today or tomorrow. Major Sylvester has guarded very closely the secret as to who the fortunate officers are, but knowing that he has always been guided by the fitness of the men for the positions in which he places them. it is not a difficult task for one acquainted with the personnel of the department and the records of the individual members to get a pretty fair idea of those who will draw larger salaries after the first day of next month. The most important positions to be filled are those of the two captaincies. Should both of the men for these positions be selected from among the lieutenants, with the additional commander of the Tenth precinct. there will be three vacancies in that rank, which will be filled from among the sergeants. There are three new sergeants also provided for in the appropriation act.