Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-11

Doyle was wrong IN saying that AL
len was justified in making that state
ment," declared Mr.. Lynch. In con-
doning a wrong done by one Of his men,
Capt Doyle did wrong himself"
Mr.. Lynch commended that Doyle went
beyond comment on Aliens letter when
he referred to petty animoSities" in the
Police Department. He said there was
nothing in Aliens letter to justify such
a reference, and that Capt. Doyle'S let
ter indicated that he believed there
were such animoSities in the depart
mant.
At the conclusion of argument by
counsel, Chairman Stoll announced
that prilna facie case had been made
by the prosecution, and overruled the
motion of Attorney Fowler to dismiss
the charges.
Then a procession of character wit
nesseS for Capt Doyle started. Among
those called, all Of whom testified to the
high character and reputation of Capt.
Doyle were: Merritt o. Chance. Wis
dom D. Brown, Rev. DR.. Moses r. Low
ell, pastor of the Mount Pleasant Con-
gregational Church. of which Capt.
Doyle has been a member for IS years;
John J. Odenwald, o. j. MeMoll and
Frank c. Daniel, principal of the Nc
Kinley Technical High School.
Same Board Tried Allen.
The trial started at 1910 o'clock
The trial board room was crowded with
spectators, among them number OF
relatives and friends of Doyle. These
included his wife and son, Robert En-
NETT. ir., and Merritt o. Chance, for
rner postmaster of Washington and
foreman of the grand jury which re-
turned an indictment for murder
against Robert A. Mcpherson.
At the outset of the trial Inspector
Stoll announced that he understood
the trial board as constituted for Aliens
trial last week was acceptable. There
was no objection from Doyle's attorney.
Attorney Fowler waived the read
ing of the charges against Capt. Doyle
and the suspended officer and Maj.
Pratt then were sworn by Chairman
Stoll. Pratt, the complainant, was
the first witness.
Prosecutor Lynch showed Maj Pratt
O copy of newspapers quoting Aliens
statement that he proposed to investi-
gate the United States attorneys ONCE.
After Mai. Pratt admitted having read
the article, it was submitted in evidence.
Pratt testified that after reading the
article his first move was 60 ADDRESS
communication to Capt. Doyle. Coun-
sci for the accused officer objected, con-
tending the article spoke for itself. The
prosecution next introduced Maj. Pratts
communication TO Capt. Doyle ordering
him to make an investigation OF Aliens
statement to determine whether the
policeman had been correctly quoted.
DoyIe's Letter Introduced.
Can't. Doyles reply to Maj. Pratt was
next introduced as evidence, followed by
Aliens letter of explanation to his com.
Inanding officer, which Doyle ADVISED
the police superintendent was SEX
explanatory"
Pratt explained that after receiving
Doyle's report he returned 1t TO the
captain directing him to make comment
and recommendations in accordance
with the police manual. Two days later
Pratt said, Doyle handed him the report
containing comment and recofnmenda-
tions, in which DOYLE defended Alien.
1t was this report on which the charges
of characterization were preferred
against Doyle.
Pratt said he had always considered
DOYLE an excellent officer. Fowler asked
81 Pratt considered the captains report
disrespectful to him personally, but
Prosecutor Lynch objected to the ques-
ton.
Fowler attacked the person who drew
the charges, claiming he had included
in them the statement that Doyle In
his report meant disrespect TO MAJ.
Pratt after the police superintendent
had admitted that Doyle, in submitting
the report, had prefaced 1t with a re-
mark that he meant no dlsrespect 10
the superintendent.
Prosecutor Lynch replied that the
theory in drawing the charges was not
based on personality and argued tnat
the person who framed them meant
the Office of major and superintendent
of police and not Pratt individually.
WampIer Asks Fair Trial.
Attorney Wampler declared that the
toerson who drew the charges did not
say SO because the phraseology used
was that disrespect was meant toward
ssMai. Henry G. Pratt and not Henry q.
Pratt as major and superintendent OF
Lynch commended that If there were
doubt about construction OF the specln-
cation alleging disrespect, he had the
authority to amend it and would 90 So
Jumped to his feet, Wampler declared:
we don't want to be brought into
court on one charge and be laughed at
when we are charged with something
else. All we want is fair trial"
did you consider Capt. Doyle guilty
of disrespect to you and OF lnsuooroina-
ton personality" asked Fowler.
Mai. Pratt started to answer when
Prose n,tor Lynch interrupted, declar-
ing It y as 'innmaterial" whether Pratt
considered that Doyle had been diSre-
spectful to him personally or TO rim IN
his capacity as superintendent OF ponce.
Lynch's objection was overruled and
Pratt was directed to answer.
Mo- he replied, Il did not feel al
fronted. l did not think he meant any
disrespect to me-"
Mr.. Fowler then referred to Maj.
Pratt's communication to Doyle, ask
ing for a report upon Aliens conduct:
He asked Pratt whether he considered
Doyle's reply complied with the m
structions from the superintendent
Pratt said he did not consider that the
letter complied with regulations
Considered Letter PrejuIicial.
did you consider the letter disre-
spectful to the Police Department."
asked Mr.. Lynch.
IT considered it preiudicial to the
good order of the department., in that
Capt. Doyle went beyond the case and
wrote things which had no bearing
upon the question, apparently uphold
ing the disrespectful act Of a sub
ordinate" Pratt answered.
Fowler asked whether there was
anything unusual in the forwarding by
Capt. Doyle to police headquarters OF
Aliens letter, merely rdorsing it al
"Self-explanatory."
In some cases that is satisfactory,
replied Pratt.
did he comply with. the regulations
up TO that point?" asked Fowler.
yes" was the reply
Fowler wanted to know whether Maj
Pratt considered his letter to Capt
Doyle as complaint" or an inquiry.
IF Allen was quoted correctly in thu
newspaper article, it became com
plant" replied Mai. Pratt. ut was al