Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-20
SENATE PRObERSi
AWAITING REPLIES
OF D. c. OFFICIALS
Ask Justice Agent Be AS
signed to Aid inquiry Into
Local Government
CALL ON MAJ. PRATT ID
FOR REPORT ON ALLEN
House Will Be Ready to Act on
Reorganization Proposals
in December. -

The Senate subcommittee investi-
eating the police department, district
attorneys office and other local
agencies is awaiting receipt of answers
to the letters sent out Friday to several
omcialS, calling for certain information,
before taking any further steps.
1t Is probable the subcommittee will
nave another meeting when all of these
replies are received. One letter was to
the Department of Justice, asking If an
agent OF that department could be
assigned to the subcommittee to inquire
as to what basis there may be for the
general charge Of ineficiency In the
local government. set forth In the
investigating resolution.
Pratt Asked for Report.
There were three other letters mailed
70 local oflcials, calling for informa-
ton on SPECIFIC questions raised In
the resolution. One of these letters
was addressed to Supt. of Police Pratt,
asking for report on the suspension
several weeks ago Of Policeman Robert
j. Allen, who conducted an independent
probe into the death of Mrs. Virginia
McPherson, after the detective bureau
had concluded it was suicide. Allen
since has been restored to duty.
Another letter was to the district
there was delay in handling of indict-
ments growing out of the death of Lee
King. Chinese, who was found shot
on the street last Summer. Another
letter called for report on the issuance
o. permits to carry weapons In the
District during 1929.
Ready to Act In December.
The House will be ready to act
promptly in the December session upon
proposals for reorganization of the Dis
Tlct government, including especially
change In the Police Department.
Until the new session In December.
which Is the flrst regular session Of the
Seventy-first Congress. the House can
not act because the District committee
has not been organized.
The Gibson subcommittee of the Dis
trtct committee. however, which has
been conducting a comprehensive sur
vey OF many agencies of the Distric,
government with the cooperation OF
the United States Bureau of Efficiericy.
has authority to file a report on its
hearings and studies already made.
Chairman Gibson has been working on
this report for some time, and has an
nounced that 1t will contain recon-
mendations for thorough reorganiza-
ton of the Police Department with pro-
visions for making the police force of
the National Capital model for the
entire country.
Representative Gibson has repeatedly
announced his intention of introducing
bill for this proposed reorganization
Of the Police Department.
Representative Holaday. Republican
Of Illinois. who is a member of the sub
committee on the District budget of the
House. appropriations committee. has
also announced that he intends to In
troduce q bill for establishment Of
special bureau of experts for scientific
detection of crime
Chairman Simmons Of the subcon-
nittee on the District budget and Rep
resentative Holiday have during the re-
cess Of Congress been making personal
surveys of MANY activities of the Dis
trict government and viii be ready f.
cooperate with. the House legislative
committee on District affairs am
through their own appropriations com.
nittee In correcting any unsatisfactor-
conditions that may be found and ir
developing q more efficient municips'
administration.