Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13
The Senatorial Investigation.


The Senate has voted an investiga-
ton of the Police Department and the
district attorneys office. Yesterday q
subcommittee met to arrange for the
investigation and these we're the out
standing developments:
First-A statement from Senator
Blease that he has some opium in his
ONCE safe purchased by somebody
within the last three days not far
from the much-abused dome of the
Capitol.
Second-A statement from Senator
Blease that he will not oppose delay
in investigating the Mcpherson case
until the trial is over, but he wants
to find out Immediately all about the
indictment in the murder of Chinese,
Lee King.
Third-A statement from Senator
Blaine of Wisconsin that Washington
it not city, but "conglomeration
of politics"
Fourth-A statement from Senator
Blaine that the directing heads of the
Washington Police Department are the
most inefficient in the United States.
and that the rank and file of the
department is far above the directing
force of the department.
Fifth-A discussion as to whether
the investigation into the handling
Of the Mcpherson case should not be
postponed until after the trial, with
ensuing debate as to whether the Sem
ate understood what it was doing
when it authorized the forthcoming
investigation and whether, granting
the Senators did know or did not
know, now that they have voted the
investigation, it can be postponed.
washington is used to investigations
and the municipal government has
been investigated so much and so
often that 1t is almost investigations
proof Here in Washington it can be
taken pretty much for granted that
everything from a high windstorm to
q deep snowfall is going to be investi-
gated. And the hides of the various
public officials in Washington have
grown tough. almost callous, to the
darts and jibes that are shot from
the House and Senate floors every day
or so. a. ~
But If Senator Blease has evidence
Of narcotic sales within the fgurative
shadow of the Capitol, why does he not
turn it over to the Federal narcotic
agents, instead of publicly warning the
purveyors Of such stuff that he has the
goods on them-in his Office safe?
If Senator Blaine has reached the
decision in his own mind that WASH
ington's police force is rotten from the
core, why does he not whip the basis for
his decision into shape and present it as
a specific charge to the forthcoming
inquisitorial committee of Senators, in
stead Of publicly warning the heads OF
the Police Department that they cannot
escape him?
The actions and the attitude of the
Detective Bureau In the Mcpherson case
need explanation. Why not get the ex-
PLANTATION first and reserve the mud
throwing until the targets are uncov-
cred? Why waste all this eloquent Will
fication in advance? What earthly good
is accomplished by telling every rookie
on the police force that he is a better
man than his superiors, when such in
formation is founded on nothing more
tangible than loose conjecture?
There are cool heads on the Senate
District committee, and Washington
looks to them to conduct dignified and
searching investigation of the Police
Department, the United States attor-
ney's office and any other persons and
establishments that may occur to them
But Washington hopes that they will
have the investigation conducted in q
manner that will bring credit upon the
United States Senate. The Police De-
partment, of course, viii have to look
out for itself and take its chances.