Evening star., 1926-04-29
HEADLEY CASE, CALLED ''CRIME,"
FEATURES ID. C.. AFFAIRS PROBE
Denoted Officer Takes Stand-SheIby Says Treat.
| ment Was ssMonstrous'' Error-Winesses AS
cured Protection From Superior's Retaliation.

ley was by direction from Commits
sioner Fenning himself.
When Capt. Headley was asked by
Mr.. Houston what he felt was the
cause for this demotion Mr.. Blantor
again urged protection Of Capt. Head
ley. Mr.. Houston stated: This com
mittee Is investigating acts of Mr.
Fenning as District Commissioner
Here is a worthy officer denoted at
Mr.. Jennings request. l am not sat
isfied to let it stop there. We ought
to go to the bottom Of it,
Holds Fenning Responsible.
When Mr.. Blanton stated that he
holds Fenning responsible" Mr.
Houston continued: "Mr. Fepning
undoubtedly had the power to denote
any officer. We must ascertain
whether he used the power of demo.
tion without just cause and determine
the cause" Other questions asked
Capt. Headley showed that 1t is
doubtful whether the Commissioners
could denote any other officer. Mr..
Gibson supported Mr.. Houston's po.
Fsition, but said: I'VE are not anxious
to embarrasS Capt. Headley If we can
get, the Information elsewhere" Mr..
I1OuSIUH cldlCo IIAal lC WdlitCN kL1C
subcommittee to call Inspector Evans
and, if necessary, to recall Commits
sioner Fenning.
Mr.. Gilbert said: IT shall insist on
Capt. Headley giving the reasons, II
we cannot get them elsewhere Mr..
Fenning denied, in answer to ques
tons by me, any participation in this
demotion. 1t is said that 1t was for
the good of the servce,' which means
anything from splitting on the side
walk to murder, and we ought to
have it narrowed down.
Inspector Shelby then was called.
Aid to Police Head.
Inspector Shelby said he was person.
nel officer and administrative aid to
the major and superintendent OF
metropolitan police. He was required
to read the official record of Inspector
Headley, and he verified for the COM
mittee that boththis record and that
of Inspector Evans were official and
prepared under his direction. He was
also required to read the official rec
ord Of Edwin B. Hesse, major and
superintendent of police. 1t was en-
phasized by questions that Maj. Hesse
has had no service as q patrolman, did
not come up from the ranks, but was
successfully clerk In the Police De-
partment. clerk in the Fire Depart
ment, chief clerk in the Police Depart
ment and then assistant superintend-
ent of police by direct order Of Con-
gress in an appropriation bill.
Mr.. Bowman brought out that after
comparison of the splendid" record of
Capt. Headley with that Of Inspector
Evans. the committee was surprised
to find Headley denoted and Evans
promoted.
Inspector Shelby paid tribute to In
spector Evans as one of the most
efficient police administration officers
I ever came in contact with"
Mr.. Houston questioned whether
there was any friction during their
long years of service between Mr..
Headley and Mr.. Evans. Inspector
Shelby replied that there was little.
but not of a serious nature, and said:
Most of us had friction with In.
spector Headley." but he paid glow
ing tribute to Capt. Headley as an
efficient officer with his heart in his
work, a love for the service and OF
unquestioned integrity.
inspector Headley was man who
was positive in his ideas. firm in his
convictions and courageous in their
expression" said Inspector Shelby. II
have never known Inspector Headley
to be silent on q subject so near his
heart for such length of time as the
long period. of silence that he has
maintained from the time of his de-
motion until his appearance before
this committee tonight. / have never
heard him utter a word Of criticism of
any superior officer or any associate
in public or in private. No member
of this police force could have stood
up under the blow administered to In
spector Headley with the same cour-
age and fortitude as was evidenced
by him. l have known Inspector
Headley since before my appointment
to the police force"
He was asked by Mr.. Houston
whether he believed Inspector Head
ley was denoted for the good of the
service or at the request of some one
else, and replied: II do not know;
there is nothing in the record"
Holds Department Is Efficient.
Questioned by Mr.. Bowman regard
ing the situation in. the Police De-
partment today, Inspector Shelby said
that it Is "a very efficient and we'll
administered Police Department" He
was asked by Mr.. Bowman if. he had
any recommendations to make to
Congress through the committee for
improvement of the department, and
after some hesitation, replied: None
at this time, but I am willing to sub
NIT some views in writing later"
Mr.. Houston emphasized that the
purpose Of the investigation is to find
what legislation is necessary or de-
sirable to improve the service, and
administration of District affairs in
any and every respect and stated that
this subcommittee welcomed sugges.
tionS.
MIR. Gilbert asked, What is Mr..
Jennings attitude towards the Police
Department and officials? What is
his conduct? What sort of results
does he obtain-I want to get at the
real facts" Mr.. Blanton protested
again that Inspector Shelby should
be and must be protected by the COM
mittee. Following a suggestion from
Mr.. Houston, Mr.. Gilbert reframed
his questions. Inspector Shelby re-
III