User:Rpullmanrr/Raymond Wellington Pullman

Raymond Wellington Pullman

Major Raymond Pullman-  Police Chief of Washington D.C. (1915-1920)

Assumes Duties as Washington DC's Chief of Police

Being the youngest Police Chief of Washington DC at that time, Major Pullman took up his duties as Chief of Police at the age of thirty-two. He started his command on April 1, 1915. He succeeded Major Richard Sylvester. During his term of office some of the most difficult problems in Washington's history to that date confronted the youngest Police Chief. World War I came and presented significant problems of public protection. A triple murder, the first in Washington's history, was committed. The case was cleared up although it involved complications with China. A madman murdered a girl, terrorized Washington and was captured by the police under Major Pullman's guidance, in a week's time. Radicalism broke out and these forces attempted an assassination of the Attorney General of the United States. Prohibition became law and in its aftermath brought bootleggers and lawbreakers to be accounted for.

Early Years

Although born in Virginia, Major Pullman lived practically all his life in Washington, his parents having removed to this city from their farm in Fairfax County when he was two years old. He was graduated from Business High School in 1903, having been Captain of Company E of the High School Cadets, editor of the Business High School paper and publisher of the first issue of the Orange and Blue, the school's annual. After graduation he was for a time a teacher in the Jefferson and Greenleaf schools. His first business experience was in the advertising and business office of a local printing company, where he remained about six months, leaving to take a position as a reporter on a Washington paper. Later he was chief of publicity and in charge of the office of information of the U.S. Forest Service under Gifford Pinchot. He handled the publicity for the White House conference on the care of dependent children during the last Theodore Roosevelt administration, directed a syndicate letter describing the duties and manner of administering governmental departments, and was Washington correspondent for several large out-of-town newspapers.

Appointment a Surprise

Major Pullman's appointment to the position of Superintendent of Police came as a complete surprise to members of the force, his name not having been mentioned in connection with the position until his name had been decided upon by the District Commisioners as successor to Major Richard Sylvester, retired. It was urged by disappointed candidates for the position that Major Pullman's lack of police experience would mitigate against him, not knowing he had long displayed an interest in civic and police affairs and had studied police systems of this and other countries, and today his superior officers look upon him as having made an excellent commanding officer. In his administration he succeeded in largely increasing the size of the force, which, it is stated, was the smallest of any large city in the world. He also succeeded in getting increased pay for members of the force. Having served as Captain of high school cadets, Major Pullman possessed knowledge of the military side of life which enabled him to take an active part in military matters while World War I was in progress. He held frequent conferences with men high up in war counsels and, it is stated, valuable suggestions he made were adopted, one of them being the protection of the District water supply.

Studied Traffic Problems

Early in his police administration Major Pullman gave increased interest to traffic problems, working to reduce street accidents, and succeeded in interesting his entire command in such problems. He revived the practice of holding frequent meetings of his officers, and made effective numerous changes in administrative methods. Major Pullman also revived target practice in the department, anxious to have every member of the force able to take care of himself in case of emergency, planned a course of instruction in first aid work and imparted information on methods of having his men keep physically fit. It is believed no other police official in this or any other country gave so much to his official duties as did Major Pullman. He was constantly in communication with officials of the department, seldom relinquishing his work until long after midnight and frequently answering calls after retiring. On occasions of public functions, big fires or interesting investigations of police problems, he was much in evidence, working with his men and taking part in the work of questioning prisoners in more important cases.

Fought "dry" law violators

Major Pullman waged a relentless war on violators of the liquor and gambling laws, and appointed a vice squad to look after instances of immorality. The work of this squad was supplemented by the Woman's Bureau, a branch of the service which has operated in an effort to protect young girls and women. Throughout the period of World War I Major Pullman taxed his physical condition to the limit. He was up early and late, and, it is stated, spent as much time assisting agents of the federal government as he did to his own department.

Was Growing in Popularity

Criticism at times poured from all sides on the head of the police department. He passed through it all, maintained his position, and was in the prime of his administration, with a growing popularity, when death came. National attention was attracted when Dr. Theodore T. Wong and two assistants, representing the official educational delegation from China to the United States were murdered in January, 1919. Major Pullman sent detectives to New York, brought back the murderer, and worked for several days before securing a confession. The confession and evidence gathered by the police department secured conviction. Durung this work Major Pullman was assured of the cooperation of the Chinese legation, thus avoiding the thin ice of international complications. The vigorous attacks of the police department upon the bootlegging traffic brought praise from many quarters and blame from a few. Some criticism was made for the placing of too many policemen on the "anti-booze" cordon around the city of Washington. It became know at a later date, although it was not generally circulated, that the strength of the "bootleg cordon" and anti-whiskey runners' guard was exaggerated and that the numbers were overestimated. Major Pullman did not deny the reports, but it was declared at the time, by men in positions to know, that no serious defect was felt by the placement of the guards on the roads leading to the District. The criticism could have been swept aside in an instant, it was declared, by the production of actual statistics showing the number guarding the District line.

Fist Woman Policeman

It was under the administration of Major Pullman that Washington saw its first women policemen. Mrs. Mina C. VanWinkle was placed in charge of a bureau for the particular attention to the prevention of crime against women. The idea since has been followed in many large cities throughout the country. The automobile also came into its greatest prominence as an aid to police work during Pullman's administration. During the race riots and the chase for the "maniac" streets were combed by automobiles. Under Howard Fisk an automobile auxiliary of the police department was organized, and from police headquarters machines were directed to every section of the city on the slightest disturbance, from the centralization points at the various precincts. Major Pullman entered police work with a theoretic knowledge of police administration. During his term he added practice to theory, and took up the scientific study of social conditions.

Home Defense League

Crime prevention formed of the basic topics of his work. This was principally evidenced in the formation of the Home Defense League for the auzilliary protection of the city during WWI. This branch was also called into service during emergencies following the war, and it was under this branch that the automobile squadron of the police department was organized. During pressing emergencies he was at the scene of trouble. He worked often until midnight and 1 o'clock in the morning, and followed up with an early appearance at police headquarters. For his men and the public, evidence of his thoughtfulness was brought to the front several times. When Congress was considering a raise in pay for the policemen, it was Major Pullman who was its strongest supporter.

Falls Victim to Double Pneumonia Youngest Police Chief Loses in Desperate Fight for Life

Major Raymond Wellington Pullman, youngest police chief in the history of Washington, lost a vigorous fight with double pneumonia and died at 8:05 o'clock last night. At his deathbed were his parents, a few friends and Drs. Wilbur H. Brandenburg and Henry F. Sawtelle, Mrs. Mina C. VanWinkle, head of the Women's Bureau of the Police Department, was at his home, 55 Ivy Street SE, at the time.

Louis Brownlow, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Pays Tribute to Raymond W. Pullman

"If there ever was a man who sought to serve his community it was Raymond W. Pullman. I have never known a man in public life who was as sincere and conscientious in the conduct of his office as was Major Pullman. During the long months in which the United States was at war Major Pullman, regardless of his own comfort, worked night and day with his men in protecting government officials, guarding federal property and in performing countless other tasks incident to the war. Its is doubtful the head of any police department ever faced in five years problems such as were placed upon the police department of the National Capital during the war and in the days that have followed. And through this trying period Raymond Pullman directed his men in a way that will stand out in the history of the Washington police. His death is a distinct loss to the police department and to the city, which he served so faithfully. A courageous officer and efficient administrator, a loyal friend and a Christian gentleman, has gone to his reward."

Major Raymond Wellington Pullman was buried in uniform at Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C..