The Washington times., 1929-10-18
SIMMONS,
HOLIDAY
()N)OB

While Commissioner Sidney
+. Taliaferro defended the in
! tegrity of his administration in
letter to the Sackett subcom
mittee probing the local gov
ernment, the departments over
which Taliaferro has charge
were being quietly investigated
by two influential members of
the House, it was learned to-
day.
The investigation is still going
on. with number of institution
and offices still to he visited. The
primary purpose of the visits - 10
obtain data for hearings on the next
District auprOpriati tiOn bill, but there
is no disinclination on the part OF
the two representatives to turn
over any pertinent facts to the
Sackett subcommittee.
Simmons and Holiday
The visitors are Representatives
Robert G. Simmons of Nebraska
and William p. HOLIDAY of Illinois.
They are, respectively. the chair
man and ranking Republican MEM
ber of the House Appropriations
Committees subcommittee on the
District of Columbia.
Simmons and Holiday have
visited the workhouse at Lortor'
Va. the District Jail. Gallinger
Hospital and other District institu'
tions. They are studying plans,
loI fn~
ment and mOderniZation OF the Ja1I
and improvements to the work
house.
Il think we both know all that
is necessary about the Police Depart
ment," Holiday said" I'VE have the
greatest confidence in the rank and
file of Washington's Police Depart
ment, but we cannot say as much
for the men who have been in charge
OF administrative matters for the
past several years"
He revealed that Simmons and
himself had been opposed to the
selection of Henry G. Pratt to be
superintendent of police and Lieut..
Edward Kelly to be chief of the
homicide squad, because of rumors
which clung to their records.
Rap For Dougherty
EVERY time we suggested this
or made any other suggestion to
Commissioner Dougherty," Holiday
stated. "he would throw up his hands
in the air and say. What can l
do about it?' That has been his at
titude all along. in all police mat
ters."
Holiday strongly favors the
addition of a scientific squad to
the bureau of Identification for the
purpose Of assisting detectives In
the solution Of murder mysteries,
particularly when appearances may
point to suicide.
Under the present arrange
ments." he said, ''it is necessary to
call on men in other Federal depart
ments, and they are unable to give
the prompt attention these cases
require. The Identification bureau
Of the Police Department needs a
criminologist, a chemist, a ballistic
expert and a physician.
II have heard of numerous cases
In which the scene of a crime was
disturbed hv policemen before the
investigation began, here in the
District of Columbia. There seems
to be a jealousy between the pre-
cinct detectives and the head
quarters man. with no strong guild
Ing force to set them right and to
lay down rules which must be
observed"
Holiday said he inquired Of the
Scotland Yard executive who accom-.
panied Macdonald about the meth
ods used by the London detectives.
Likes London System
"In London. | was told" Holiday
said, "that the policeman has moth
ing whatever to do with the investi-
cation of a crime. He either dis
covers the crime or Is summoned
After looking over the ground he
Immediately telephones headquarters.
He. remains on the scene until the
detectives arrive, turns over such
data as he has collected, and goes on
about his business. We need such
a system here"
Holiday added commentator for
Inspector William S. Shelby. with
whom he mad a recent interview.