Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-23
MAI. PRATT'S ACTION
TOUCHES OFF DEBATE
ON SENATE FLOOR
Continued from First Page }.

do not know whether the Senate cares
TO take any action or not. / do not know
whether we can take any action or not,
but think the country has reached a
very serious and dangerous condition
when the chief of police of the greatest
Capital City in the world can demand a
report from a subordinate officer and
then, when he gets the report turn the
officer out for characterization because
the report did not suit him. My notion
is that this man Pratt Is coward, a
moral coward If not a physical coward
He wanted to turn out this man Doyle
and he wants to turn out this boy Allen.
but he especially wanted to get rid OF
Allen. He did not have the manhood 70
turn Allen of. think he is afraid OF
him, so he goes and asks Doyle to make
a report as I believe for the purpose OF
getting Doyle to state something that
he could use as an excuse to turn
Allen off; but when Doyle refuses to be
his stool pigeon, refuses to be his tool
then he takes advantage OF the Situa-
ton and gets mad and loses his head
and not only turns of Allen, but Doyle
as well, which 1 say was a dirty, cow
ardly, contemplate act on the part OF
any man and especially man who is
chief OF police. Senator Blease declared
he could not present things to the sub
committee of the Senate "if the wit
nesses who are to testify are to be told
If you testify we will turn you out Of
your job or we will punish you in some
other way"
Bring Pratt to Book" -
Senator Blease declared that, there
49, ID. - A-4~-
this man Pratt to book. II that Is not
done other crimes will be perpetrated
II there Is q man at the head Of the
department who Is willing to stifle
testimony or hold an ak over a mans
head and tell him that II en- testifies
he will cut it of, no body Of men can
be kept together working for the best
interest Of the city which they are
supposed to safeguard under such
conditions"
Senator King, ranking Democratic
member Of the District committee, took
the floor when Senator Blease had fin-
ished and, after pointing out that the
entire police situation had already been
referred to Senate subcommittee for
investigation, said:
"They have this entire matter in
charge and II Mr.. Pratt or any other
offlcials have been guilty of delinquency
1t seems to me that the attention Of
the committee should be brought to
the same. 1 do not think we ought to
endeavor TO try these cases here in the
Senate. am sure the Senator from
Kentucky, Mr.. Sackett, and his fine
committee will take cognizance Of the
statements made by my friends and If
any Of the off1cers OF the Police De-
partment have been denied justice or
nat ho uJilI
obtain all the facts"
Senator Walsh of Massachusetts,
Joined in the debate to say that he APP
proved Of the statement of Senator King
as to the necessity for an investigation.
I'm my judgment" said Senator
Walsh, there must be some hones
officials in the District of Columbia.
Undoubtedly there are some who should
be reprimanded, but want to protest
against trying oticials here without a
chance to be heard"
Senator King added that he comes in
contact with q great many District
officials during his service on the Dis
trict committee and had found most
OF them conscientious. He declared,
taken by and large they compare
favorably with of1cials OF any other
CITY,"
Senator Overman Of North Carolina
interrupted to ask Senator King what
he thought of the suspension OF Capt.
Doyle after 40 years Of faithful service.
Matter Up to Committee.
Senator King replied that he did not
want to pass judgment on that case.
Senator King declared that Maj. Pratt
was not his choice for chief of police,
but that he should be heard as to the
reason for the latest developments.
II object now to trying any Of these
men here" Senator King said.
Why appoint a subcommittee If after
appointing them we bring the matter
here on the floor?"
Senator Overman said he agreed that
an able subcommittee had been ap-
pointed and that he thought it should
90 to the very bottom of the situation,
recalling that the Police Department
has been under fire in both branches
of Congress for several years.
Senator King recalled that Repre-
sentative Gibson and a subcommittee
of the House investigated the District
government during the past two years
and that he did not believe 1T revealed
a condition that was 50 reprehensible."
Senator King concluded by declaring
that he was very proud Of the govern
ment of the District Of Columbia" con-
sidered as whole.
Senator Blease replied by declaring
that he was ashamed Of the administra-
ton OF law.
Refers TO Dreyfus Case.
While Senator Blease was making his
speech, Senator Helm, Democrat, Of
Alabama, asked the South Carolina
Senator If he had read newspaper ac-
counts of the inquest held by a coroner's
jury yesterday into the death of Mrs
Dreyfus, in which the jury found a
verdict of accidental death. Senator
Blease said he had not had an oppor-
%.xx,f 30 ~ 70