Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-04
Department of Justice "Req-
uisitions" Ex-District At
torney, Who Will Appear at
Arrangement Tomorrow.
CRACK FEDERAL AGENTS
CALLED IN FOR PROBE.
Bureau of Investigation Brings in
BEST Men" From Over Country
to Help-Blease Introduces Reso-
luton for Thorough Inquiry of
Local Officials and Police.

Local Officials and Police.
John E. Laskey, former district
attorney and veteran of many
criminal prosecutions, has been
"requisitioned" by the Department
of Justice to conduct the prosecu-
ton of Robert A. Mcpherson, jr.,
young bank clerk accused Of
strangling his wife to death with a
pajama cord.
Laskey will make his first public
appearance in the extraordinary
role assigned him by the Govern
ment when Mcpherson is ar
raigned in Criminal Court tomor-
row under special grand jury in
dictment charging "wilful and
premeditated" murder.
Attorney General Mitchell an
nounced Laskey's appointment as
special assistant" following
conference between the two this
morning at the Department OF
Justice. At the same time some Of
the "beSt men" of the depart
ment's Bureau of Investigation
were called here from various
parts of the country to take part
IN the Federal probe of the case.
While the judicial branch of the Gov
eminent interested itself in the crime
proper, the legislative halls of the Capt.
toll were stirred anew with echoes of
the grand juryS condemnation Of the
police investigation of the girls mystic
rious death. .....s-.s.
- Blease wants Action.
Senator Cole Blease of South Caro-
lima, from whose neighboring State
young Virginia Mcpherson came to the
Capital, introduced a resolution calling
for sweeping senatorial investigation
Of the Police Department, the district
attorneys office and other local au-
tho'ities connected with the alleged
'bungling" OF the case.
A municipal investigation along this
line, launched by the District Com
miSsionerS, met with obstacles at the
very outset today, when two of the
star" witnesses failed to appear. These
witnesses, Foreman Merritt 0. Chance
of the Mcpherson grand jury and Po-
liceman Robert j. Allen, instigator of
the grand jury inquiry. had been sum-
moned as witnesses likely to support
the grand jury'S arraignment of In
Spector Shelby and Lieut.. Kelly, de-
posed heads of the detective force.
These veteran officers have been ac-
cused of inefficiency and other serious
things as an outgrowth of the sensa-
tional developments before the grand
jury.
Mitchell's Announcement.
Attorney General Mitchell announced
the appointment of Mr.. Laskey in the
following official statement, made pub
lie shortly before noon today:
THE department has requisitioned
the services of j. E. Laskey of Wash
ington to take charge of the Mcpherson
case as a special assistant.
THE appointment has been urged
upon him as matter of public service,
and he has accepted 1t on that basis.
Of the District of Columbia, of high
attachments and good Judgment. Hav-
ing some years ago served as United
States attorney for the District, he has
had experience as prosecutor. The
department is satisfied he will deal
with this case in dignified and judi
cial way, without regard to any col
lateral controversies that have arisen"
Mr.. Laskey was in conference with
the Attorney General in the latter's
private office at the Department of JUS
finn tIHic V14nrYiTao TT &c fInHnrcfnnd hn
went over with the Attorney General
the principles involved and he is now
ready to proceed with his new re-
sponsibility.
Allen Refuses to Appear.
Under suspension from his duties as
a policeman and consequently not sub
ject to orders of the Police Depart
ment, Officer Allen today refused to
appear before the special board of
inquiry investigating grand jury
charges of inefficiency on the part OF
Inspector Shelby and Lieut.. Kelly.
Because of his failure to obtain REIN
statement in the department, Allen de-
clared that he has been forced to seek
employment in order that some salary
might be forthcoming. If, however,
he is able to find position and obtain
money, he probably will appear before
the board of inquiry later.
Aliens theories concerning mystery
witnesses" are becoming as mysterious
as the demise of the young nurse, the
cause of whose death he is endeavor-
ing to prove.
Yesterday Allen declared that he had
located such witness. At an aus
picious moment he would reveal the
witness identity and connection, with
the case, he said. Later he denied
that he had knowledge of witness
who could throw further light on the
death of Mrs. Mcpherson, but last
night he again mentioned such per-
son. This morning he again denied his
previous statement.
IF such a witness is discovered, Allen
declared, he Immediately would in
form the Department of Justice and
let its investigators probe the matter.
Pratt Probes Memo Leak"
In the meantime Supt. of Police Pratt
TODAY began an investigation to deter
mine why q third precinct policeman's
memorandum to Capt. w. G. Stott,
commanding that precinct, concerning
a report that the suicide OF local
physician might be connected IN some