Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-08
GIBSON D|SCLOSES
SECRET PROBE OF
D. c. POLICE FORCE
Bureau of Efficiency Has
Been Making Inquiry
During Summer.
NEWS OF INVESTIGATION
is COMPLETE SURPRISE
Certain Persons" in Department
Are Said to Be Affected
by Findings.

tlOll VI IIle HOIlCS department has D6eu
conducted during the Summer by the
United States Bureau of Efficiency, act
ing under instructions from the Gibson
subcommittee of the House, it was dis
closed today.
The news of this secret probe, the
ramifications Of which are said to af-
feet certain persons" in the depart
ment, is expected to create a sensa-
ton in police circles. where no inkling
of the inquiry has been permitted to
circulate.
First word of the investigation was
given The Star today by Representative
mittee, over long-diStance telephone
from his home in Brattleboro VT.
Asked if the committee planned to
resume its inquiry into conditions in
the local Police Department as result
of the recent turmoil over discipline,
Chairman Gibson replied:
The inquiry already Is under way.
1t has been continuing investigation,
lasting all Summer. I expect to return
to Washington early next week to take a
personal hand in the situation The
committee will make public all the facts
disclosed, and we shall pursue the in
quiry without fear or favor
1t was learned authorjtatively today
that the investigation has been and is
being conducted by experts of the Bu-
reau of Efficiency, although officials at
the bureau refused to comment on
Chairman Gibson's statement or to dis
cuSs the probe for publication.
Inquiry Is Secret.
1t was known, however, that the in
quiry has been carried forward with
the greatest OF secrecy, with view to
keeping those under surveillance in ig-
norance of the fact that they were
being investigated.
It appears that the study is nearing
completion, for preparations are said to
be under way to submit report on the
| findings to Chairman Gibson within the
next few days. 1t probably will be for
warded to the Vermont Representative
at his home in Brattleboro.
There were indications that the re-
port of the bureau would be directed
more at administrative phases of the
department than at personnel; that the
report would concern efficiency rather
than corruption. These were purely
surmises, based on intimations that the
bureaus inquiry had produced valuable
results, but that its report would not
contain sensational matter from the
standpoint of the press.
Hesse Welcomes Probe.
Although unaware of the undercover
investigation of the department, Maj.
Edwin B. HeSSe, superintendent, de-
clared that he welcomed an impartial
probe.
THE records of our department are
open for inspection" declared the
superintendent. They speak for them
selves"
But" Maj. Hesse added, eff there
must be criticism of the police. would
like to have more of the constructive
KIND. 1 want to build up, not to tear
down.
Maj. Hesse pointed out that the de-
partment had made every effort to carry
out the instructions of Mr.. Gibson be-
fore he left Washington in June to
rid Washington of its gambling houses
before his return. I'VE have been plug
ging away persistently. but not spectac-
ularly," said the superintendent Every
one of the places listed in the report
turned over to ne by Mr.. Gibson has
been raided. Some of them have re-
opened, however. 1t we will get them
again. That is about all we can do
under exiStin' conditions.
Il told Mr. Gibson at the time that
there were 200 or more gambling houses
f1ouriShing in Washington, and that it
was difficult to close them and keep
them closed without additional legiSla-
tion and greater degree of co-opera-
tion from the courts. I told him, too.
that few hours after the police raid
and close gambling house it reopens.
He is familiar with the situation"
Old Board Still Sits.
Maj Hesse also announced that the
new Police Trial Board, created bS the
commissioners yesterday in response to
his urgent pleas. would not be formally
organized until next Friday. In the
meantime, the old board, which the
Commissioners decreed should pass out
OF existence today, is making arrange
mentS to dispose of the cases in which
1t has taken testimony
The old board will sit at the sixth pre-
c1nct station next Thursday morning to
clean its calendar. According to records
in the Police Department this board
will have to dispose of eight cases be-
sensational hi-jacking case involving
Policeman Edward M. Taylor, who is
now under suspension
The new board, composed of Inspector
Louis j. Stoll and CaptS. Guy E. Bur-
lingame and w. G.. Stott, with CaptS.
T. r. Bean and Fred NJ. Cornwell as
alternates. will hear its first case Fri
day. Inspector Stoll, the highest rank
inc officer. will serve as chairman.
Maj. HeSse sees in the new board the
of strong. virile body"
Capt. Burlingame has been described
by the superintendent as the most
hard boiled" officer in the department.
Capt. Stott also has a reputation for
being hard boiled" when the occasion
warrants. Inspector Stoll. however. is
reputed to have calm demeanor and
even temperament. and he was placed
on the board, it was said. to act as a
sort Of balancing influence"
Expect Increased Discipline.
Maj. Hesse as we'll as other admins
trative officials of the department are
confident that this new trial board will
have a tremendous influence in bring
ing about the desired increase in
efficiency and discipline. The old board
was criticised for being too lenient and
permitting the continuance of num-
Der of cases, but the officers on the new
body were chosen. it was
said because they are not likely to
have lerient inclinations in cas4s where
the guilt of policeman is positive.
On the, other hand, police officials do
not expect the new board to be kept
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