Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-05
SECRET DISCUSSION
/. TO SETTLE DOYLE
CASE IN PROGRESS
Attorneys Conference With
Commissioners and Pratt
Seen as Peace Move.
ALL PRINCIPALS REFUSE
TO DISCUSS PROCEEDINGS
Policeman Allen Dismisses Counsel
- and Will Conduct Own Defense
Before Board.

An eleventh-hour attempt to settle the
case of Capt. Robert E. Doyle is re-
ported to have been made today, "a
hours before the suspended commander
of the eighth precinct was scheduled
to face Police Trial Board on q charge
Of INSTRUMENTATION growing out of his
outspoken defense Of Policeman Robert
J. Allen.
The supposed peace negotiations
were cloaked with utmost secrecy and
we're carried on in series OF con-
ferences between the District Com
missioners, T. Morris wampler and
Chapman w. Fowler, attorneys for
Capt. Doyle; Maj. Henry G. Pratt.
superintendent of police. and Corpora
ton Counsel william W. Bride. While
none of them would reveal the nature
of the discussion. it was learned that
1t concerned a letter which Capt. Doyle
is said to have written to Mai. Pratt
similar to the one involved in the peace
oYertures of several days ago, which
collapsed. In this letter, which was
drawn for Capt. Doyle's signature, 1t
was pointed out that the oficer had no
intention to show any disrespect to his
superior officers or the department in
his report defending Allen.
Conferences Held Secretly.
All of the conferences we're held be-
hind closed doors and were halted
abruptly shortly after 1880 O'Clock.
when the Commissioners were called
away to the Budget Bureau.
The negotiations, however, we're to
~ r - -
Commissioners return.
THE conferences started at about $40
o'clock this morning, when Doyle's two
lawyers visited Maj. Pratt. Shortly att
erward the police superintendent went
to the ONCE of Corporation Counsel
Bride, and the two subsequently went
into conference with the Commissioners.
Fowler and Wampler awaited the OUT
come in Pratt's ONCE, where they re-
mained until the police superintendent
returned, after 1880 o'clock.
After the conferences Pratt declined
TO discuss the purpose or to reveal any
phase OF the discussion, referring all
INQUIRIES to his counsel, pointing to
Corporation Counsel Bride. Bride as
we'll As the Commissioners were silent.
Deny Peace 0vertures.
Capt. Doyle's attorneys also, refused
10 CCmmBIlb OH ,LItO PuApOoC Va NASA@@
visit to Pratt, but denied they had made
any peace overtures
IF any peace negotiations are under
way," Fowler declared, "Mr. Wampler
and I know nothing of them"
In the meantime, Policeman Allen,
who also is scheduled to face the Police
Trial Board tomorrow, dismissed his at
torneys, H. Ralph Burton and Tench
T. Marye and announced that he would
make his own defense, as counsel Is
unnecessary in view Of the refusal OF
the Commissioners to grant his request
for a civilian trial board.
Allen, however, declared he intended
to make a vigorous fight against the in
subordination charge preferred against
him by Mai. Pratt. although he had ht-
tie doubt as to the outcome OF the case
before a trial board composed OF police
officers.
The policeman's decision to plead his
own case followed the action OF Capt
Louis j. Stoll, chairman Of the Police
Trial Board. in denying the request
of his attorneys for permission to ex-
anime members of the board on their
imnartiality and fitness to try the case
In a letter to his attorneys, the police
man said:
l"It is perfectly clear that any decision
which may be reached by the board
must be based upon an Interpretation
of nv letter to Mai Henry G. Pratt,
and in my opinion it is perfectly useless
to appear before that board If it Is con-
stituted of police officials, particularly
when they absolutely refuse to permit
an examination upon their voir dire
a right which is accorded to every per-
son in either civil or criminal cases and
one which the courts have repeatedly
stated is a matter OF right.
"A Understands Aliens Action.
In making Aliens letter public. At
torney Burton said there was nothing
he and Marye could do but accede to
Aliens request.
"I understand quite fully" Burton
said, "how Allen feels about his case,
especially after the constant refusals
on the part of the District officials to
go one step out of their way to assure
an impartial trial. There is, of course,
request he makes, but we will hold our
| selves in readiness to advise him when
ever he wishes, as we would not allow
whatever we could"
| In view of Aliens decision to appear
before the trial board without counsel,
! 1t is likely that he will plead his case
before the regular board, since police
| trial rules require that challenges shall
be made 4S hours in advance of the
trial. The regular board is composed
Of Inspector Stoll and Capts. William
@. Stott and o. T. Davis. Capt. Stott
! (Continued on Page 2, Column 10