Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-06
New System Designed as
Substitute for Police Gun
dercover" Agents.
PLAN TO BE LAID BEFORE
COMMISSIONER LUCKETT
Believes Informers Cooperating
With Police Would Overcome
Grand Jury's Objection.

Mai. Henry G. Pratt. superintendent
nt police. announced today that he
would seek the use of special informers
Of the Federal Prohibition Bureau in
gathering evidence against Washington
hootleggers and "Speakeasies" as sub
stitute for the departments own paid
"undercover" agents, who are virtually
TO be discarded as a result of recent
ruling of United states Attorney Leo A
Rover.
The plan is to be laid before Prohibi-
tion Commissioner Doran by Harry M
Luckett, chief clerk and property officer
of the Police Department, who has
been delegated by Mai. Pratt to assist
him in developing a new and effective
prohibition enforcement spy system
In the District. Luckett went to Doran's
ONCE this morning TO discuss the
scheme. but finding him out made ar
rangemens for a conference this after
noon.
Would Overcome Objections.
Mai Pratt pointed out that the Pro-
hibition Bureau employees special in
formers, under contract. to assist pro-
hibition enforcement officers. and he
believes that their use in the District
in cooperation with the liquor squads
of the Police Department, would over
come the objections raised by the grand
Jury. United States Attorney Rover and
others to the paid police informer
The Prohibition Bureaus informers.
II was explained. have virtually the
status of Federal agents. since they are
employed under contracts approved by
the prohibition commissioner and the
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
These contracts can be terminated or
extended at any time
The contracts signed by the prohibi-
ton bureau informers bind them to
observe all laws and regulations gov
erning the conduct Of Federal officers.
The compensation is limited TO $3.50
for the period of the contract in order
to avoid conflict with civil service rules.
Only Practical Solution.
Maj. Pratt thinks the use Of the
Federal informers is the only practical
Police Department in enforcing the pro-
hibition law in the District, since
Rover's opinion has seriously handi-
capped the liquor squads in procuring
the evidence required for the issuance
of raiding warrants.
II Prohibition Commissioner Doran
agrees to the plan. Maj. Pratt explained,
Federal funds Will have to be used to
pay the informers, as the Police De-
partment lacks an available appropria-
ton for such a purpose. For the same
reason, he said. the department could
not adopt suggestion that its own
informers be placed on a per diem
status, instead OF paying them by the
case. The department has used its
contingent fund TO pay informers in the
past. but when it is necessary to create
special positions as would be required
If the informers were employed under
contract or on q per diem basis. police
officials are confident that legislation
would be required
Mai. Pratt said it was his intention
10 continue to use new members of the
force as "undercover' agents until their
identity becomes known to the liquor
sellers, but that in the course of time
the department would be absolutely
dependent on the Federal informers or
persons not connected officially with it.
Representative Gibson of Vermont,
chairman OF the special subcommittee
Of the House District committee. con-
ferred with Maj. Pratt today in the
latter's ONCE in the District Building.
Mr.. Gibson said his mission was of a
personal nature and did not concern
in any way the study his committee is
making of the Police Department.