Evening star., 1926-04-29

The deYnotion of Inspector Albert j.
Ha>dley by, order OF CommissioneI
Fenning on June 10, 1925, after ~
Eesrs Of service, was called "the most
monstrous administrative crime In the
history of the Police Department" by
Inspector W. s. Shelby, administrative
assistant in charge Of personnel mac
ters at police headquarters, at the
hearing last night before the Gibson
subcommittee OF the House District
committee, in the caucus room OF the
House ONCE Building.
That he has a bill to, correct the
s'antiquated" insurance law of 1SVl,
but has been ordered by Commits
Sioner Fenning not to give II TO any
member Of Congress was testified Dy
r. NJ. Baldwin. jr. superintendent or
insurance of the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Baldwin was ordered by the sub
committee to deliver that bill to it.
Were Inquiry High Spots.
These were high spots In a three
hour inquiry last night before TINS
subcommittee. which is investigating
not only guardianships and admins
tration of municipal affairs by Com,
missioner Fenning, but Is instructed
TO INQUIRE into "any Irregularities or
conditions that require further investi'
CATION or corrective legislation by the
Congress-" This subcommittee was
definitely instructed by formal motion
at the full committee meeting yester-
day to report as promptly as possible
any remedial legislation tnat the men,
bers decide is desirable.
These two District upderofhcials
we're assured by the subcommittee and
a blanket assurance was given to all
other District officials or employees that
no punishment or retaliation by any
superior official would be allowed In
consequence of any testimony they
might give at the request OF the. SID
committee and that the. full District
committee and Congress itself would
protect them.
The subcommittee last night decided
that it might recall Commissioner Fen.
ming, who Is now a witness before the
House veterans committee which is
inquiring into remedial legislation IN
guardianship cases. 1t was arranged
definitely that Chief Justice Walter L.
Mccoy of the District Supreme Court
will be the principal witness at the
hearing Saturday morning. The COM
mittee also announced its intention OF
holding an executive session this
morning and hearings tonight and to-
AAAO1~
prominent District officials and mem
bers of the bench and bar was an.
nounced to be summoned or recalled
as witnesses.
Garges Takes Stand.
Daniel E. Garges, secretary Of the
Board Of Commissioners, was the nrst
witness, under oath, last night. He
was questioned closely regarding what
transpired in the board meeting when
he read a motion handed him by Com
missioner Fenning for the demotion
and transfer Of Inspector Headley
which became an order when approved
by the board. In reply to question
from Representative Blanton, Demo
rrat, Texas, Mr.. Garges admitted that
Commissioners Rudolph. and Bell
stopped In disgust" the reading of
the order. It then was explained that
there is an arrangement between the
District Commissioners that each is
responsible for certain departments
and that his recommendations almost
invariably are approved by the full
board. In reply to a question from
Representative Bowman as to the
reason assigned for the demotion and
transfer, Mr.. Garges said that it was
''in the interest of the good Of the
service" and done on the recommenda.
ton Of Acting Supt. Evans.
Mr.. Blanton had Mr.. Garges read
the official record Of Inspector Evans.
Charles P. Gore, a policeman, who
had ordered a colored chauffeur to
move Commissioner Jennings car
from prohibited parking space on New
York avenue between 14th and 18th
streets, was called by Mr.. Blanton
and questioned fully regarding that
incident, his later visit to Mr.. Fenning
In his Office, and his being summoned
by Inspector Headley, then in charge
Of traffic, early that same afternoon
and told to consider yourself severely
reprimanded' by order of Commits
sioner Fenning. Since that time Off.
GER Gore has been twice transferred
and taken off the traffic squad for pre-
cinct duty.
Will Protect Witnesses.
While Officer Gore was on the stand,
Representative Houston said that
''any District employe called by this
committee should feel free to testify
and have no fear of reprimand or
punishment by a superior officer" Mr..
Blanton supplemented this by saying
that the committee viii stand behind
the witness and Congress will stand
behind the committee"
Chairman Gibson then called Capt.
Headley and as he came from the
rear OF the crowd he was given an
ovation.
In reply to a question. Capt. Head
ley said that on July he will have
been in the service of the Police De-
partment 80 years. Under direction
OF the committee, he told his story OF
L. se.s. t. l..
complaint about Officer Gore shortly
after Mr.. Fenning had come into
office, and this was about June II.
In q week he himself was denoted
and sent to ''Bloodfield" without any
warning or suspicion that such a blow
might fall. Replying to questions, he
testified that he had established and
built up the Traffic Bureau without
any expense to Congress. By the de-
motion his salary was reduced $720
a year, including an allowance of $480
by Congress for maintenance of an
automobile. He testified that for this
there was mo excuse and no reason"
Mr.. Blanton stated: That's the
case and hope every member of this
committee will help me to put him
hack where he belongs" He was
interrupted by another salvo of ap-
plause.
VIII Get Lower Annuity.
In a series of questions by Messrs.
Blanton, Bowman and Houston, 1t
was put into the record that by virtue
os the demotion and having served
Sss years, when Capt. Headley retires
g will be at a lower annuity and that
tnts means a great deal to his family.
A physical examination six weeks ago
showed him in perfect condition.
1t was explained that in his demo-
ton advantage was taken of clause
written into the law in 1916, follow
ing the Boston police strike, which
was designed by former super
;ntendent of police, the late
Mai. Raymond Pullman, to give au-
thority for demotion and transfer of
one particular officer. 1t was estab-
lished by questions of Mr.. Bowman
that privateS in the police force can