Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-01
Political Pressure to End
Differences and Avert
Trial Disclosed.
SENATOR WATSON NAMED
AS INTERESTED IN MOVE
Lawyers on Each Side Deny Start
ing Negotiations and Also Caus.
ing Their Failure.

Strong political pressure has been
exerted to adjust the controversy be-
| tween Maj. Henry G. Pratt, superin-
tendent of police, and Capt. Robert E.
Doyle, and thus bring about dismissal
OF the charges Of INSTRUMENTATION
against the suspended commander OF
the eighth precinct, it was disclosed
today, when the secret negotiations COL
lapsed. The name of Senator Watson Of
Indiana was injected into the case as
one OF those interested in an amicsble
settlement of the case.
| Reasons for the failure of the me-
gotiations as we'll as the source of
their origin differed radically. Chap
man w. Fowler. one Of the attorneys
for Capt. Doyle, insists that the over
lures to bring about a settlement orig
mated in the Office Of the corporation
counsel while Corporation Counsel Will
liam w. Bride. supported by Robert e.
Lynch, one of his assistants. who was
assigned to prosecute Capt. Doyle.
maintain that the suspended police
oh1cer's attorneys initiated the pro-
ceedings. Each side also blames the
| other for the failure Of the negotiations.
Demanded Apology.
Fowler declares that the CORPORATION
counsels office demanded that Capt
Doyle apologize for his letter to Mai
Pratt before an agreement would be
reached to drop the prosecution, while
Corporation Counsel Bride denied that
this was correct and declared that the
police officers attorneys insisted on the
inclusion Of two paragraphs in a letter
to be sent to Maj Pratt which were OBJ
| Jectionable to him.
At any rate, both sides are in agree
ment that all negotiations are of and
that Capt. Doyle will face the Trial
Board Wednesday as scheduled
1t was revealed in the series Of ex-
plantations that the first DEVELOPMENT
in the negotiations occurred Saturday
night when William Mex. Hutchinson,
a reporter for news service, tele-
phoned to Capt. Doyle, quoting SenS
tor Watson As desirous or having ths
| days later. Fowler said, Capt. Doyie
called Senator Watson on the telephone
from Fowler's Office and told him thar
he meant no diSrespect Ia his superior
oflcers or the department In his letter
to Mai. Pratt. and was willing to say
so. but that he had no apology to make
to the police superintendent.
Fowler and Lynch Confer.
The next development was a meet
ing later on Monday in the District
Building between Fowler and Lynch
| when the former called for a contin-
uance of the trial of Capt. Doyle II
was at this meeting. Fowler said, he
told Lynch. in substance, that it was
unfortunate that two such good ON
GERS as Maj Pratt and Capt. Doyle
should butt their heads against q stone
wall"
AS a result of this statement, q series
of conferences followed between Fowler
and T. Morris Wampler, another OF
Doyle's attorneys, and Corporation
Counsel Bride and Lynch, his assistant
Fowler declares that Lynch extended
| an invitation for the first conference
which later resulted In the drafting OF
letter to be sent to Mai. Pratt which
was to have formed the basis for a
withdrawal of the charges against
declined to accept this letter because
the first and last paragraphs did not
state the facts"
The text Of this letter, addressed to
Maj. Pratt. follows:
Intentions Discussed.
MY attorneys, Chapman w. Fowler
and T. Morris Wampler have Just re-
ported to me that during a conference
between them and the corporation
counsel, and his assistant. Robert E
| Lynch. the question OF my intentions
| In writing my letter to you OF the twen-
! tieth instant was a matter of discussion
Il wish TO advise you that when
wrote the reply to your communication
Of the nineteenth instant there was nc
intention on my part to show any dis
respect to you, my superior ofr1cerS OF
the department. / now Specincally
deny such an intent. I realize that
any act or word upon my part which
would show disrespect for you, any oi
my superior officers or to the depart.
ment would not be conducive to the
good order and discipline of the de-
partment.
my past record corroborates the
statement that have always striver
to conform to the rules and regulations
Of the department and have always
believed in and practiced strict dis
cipline and the utmost respect for my
superior off1cers.
whenever my purpose or intention
in doing any act becomes matter OF
discussion and CONNECTION, am always
glad to emphatically state that which
was in my mind, and I am glad to bt
able to positively and emphatically in
form you as above"
Objects TO Two Paragraphs.
This letter was to have been signed
by Capt. Doyle. The corporation coun-
sells office refused to accept 1t, how
| Continued on Page 2, Column IL