Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-13
HESSE TO PROBE
PR|VATE'S CHARGES
Asks Report on Statement
That Men Shield Comrades
in Duty Neglect.

Policeman R. j. Allen of the third
precinct, who created a sensation at
spec'-' meeting of the Policemens' AS
sociation last night by charging that
policemen themselves, in some instances,
are responsible for existing conditions in
the department by failing to report vio-
lations of law and regulations by their
fellow officers. likely will be called be-
fore Maj Edwin B. Hesse. superintend-
ent, to explain his statements.
Lieut.. F. S. w. Burke of the police
administrative staff, who attended the
meeting, was directed by Maj. Hesse to-
day to prepare a report containing the
substance of Aliens remarks. The SUI
perintendent said he would be guided In
his action by this report.
Aliens charges were made in connec-
ton with his own analysis of the cause
of ,ditions, which have brought crit
icism on the department, and he cited
one instance where he had been pres
ent at the inf1iction of corporal punish
liceman said he attempted to interfere
mind his own business.
Charges Men Are Silent.
Many of you have seen policemen in
flict corporal punishment on prisoners
and have seen brother officers intoXicat-
ed and not reported it," Allen declared.
He then explained that the reporting of
brother officers guilty of offenses against
the department was duty of honor.
Maj. Hesse said the only account he
had of the meeting was what he read
in the newspapers and verbal reports
made to him by several men. IF these
reports are correct" he declared. Il in
tend to get an explanation from Allen"
The association met in special session
at No. precinct station ostensibly to
administer a verbal spanking to the
newspapers that have headlined the
transgressions of the group of officers
responsible for existing conditions.
Calm and cool-headed veterans of the
department carefully steered the asso-
citation from such a course, however,
and instead the policemen proceeded to
discuss. seriously and very intimately at
times, methods which they themselves
might adopt to curb the derelictions of
their brother officers. Various Sugges-
tions were made. but the association ad-
journed without approving any definite
course of action.
Aliens charges made him exceedingly
unpopular. Sergt. George B. Wheelock
of the sixth precinct sought to correct
the impression oy declaring that in his
many years experience as policeman
and desk sergeant he had never OBJ
do
scribed. Others rose to deny Aliens
statement. Then by vociferous aye
and nay vote. the association expunged
Aliens statement from its records as
we'll as other remarks inciden to it,
Warns Men.
Patrick S. Torney. president of the
association. warned the members at the
very outset of the meeting that they
should go straight" if they want an
increase in pay. You men go back to
your precinct and try and persuade your
brother officers to do better Perhaps
in the near future Congress may maxi,
the police manual more drastic. We
don't want that DONE
While 1t had been rumored through
out the department that the special
meeting was called to take the press 10
task for "magnifying" conditions in the
department. the first intimation that
this was the purpose came immediately
after the association voted to permit
newspaper men to listen to the proceed
ings. Sergt Wheelock warned the as
sociation that the press could make or
break a man.
Lieut. Burke also suggested that the
men not be critical of the news
papers. because it is their function 10
print news. pointing out that a police
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