Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-28
CROSBY D|SCLOSES
NEW POLICE PLAN
Foreign Agency viii Take
! Charge of Prisoners in
New Headquarters.
tcontinued From First Page)

Commissioner ReicheIderfer, Corpora
ton Counsel Bride, Maj. Pratt ano
other police off1cials.
ct naturally want to hear all sides
of the case" he declared, before max
I win not tolerate brutality on the part
of any police officer or offlcial.
II will do everything in my power to
assist the Department of Justice in its
investigation. and will insist that every
oficer guilty of inhuman treatment of
prisoners be removed from the force"
Stressed Courtesy.
'"The most important part of my in
vestigation will be to find out whether
the higher officials approve or condone
such methods. 1 feel that the police
force as whole, however, certainly
does not"
Unfailing courtesy was laid down by
Gen. Crosby when he became Commits
Sioner as the cardinal principle of a
policeman's creed, and he finds 1t dim
cult to realize that Washington police
men are charged with its violation, and
it grieves him even more because the
alleged beatings occurred in his alb
sence, forcing Commissioner Reichelder-
fer to deal drastically with a particu-
larry disturbing situation.
The first details of the third degree
scandal were given TO Commissioner
Crosby by the writer, who boarded his
homeward bound train in Pittsburgh
early this morning. Copies Of The Stal
describing the alleged beating of Har-
ker and the subsequent sensational de-
velopments also were given the Com
missioner and he read the accounts
with visible Amusement.
II am sorry this thing had to hap
pen he said. And I am also sorry
it happened while was away"
But" he added philoSophically, II
suppose it would have happened any
way"
The first intimation that Gen.
Crosby had that the Police Department
was under investigation came last night
when he picked up a newspaper in Chi
cago and read a brief Washington dis
patch telling Of the action Of President
Hoover in demanding the severe pun
1shment of the Washington policemen
who have "overstepped the law and
humanity in treatment of criminals
Train Due at 3:15 Today.
The Pennsylvania train on which
Commissioner Crosby is returning 10
Washington is scheduled to arrive at
3:l5 this afternoon. Because Of the
GSElOuouSSS VI Tie pOitCt SltudlAOH AS
plans to go to the District Building
this afternoon to get frst-hand infor-
nation about the storm that has
brought an unhappy ending to his
otherwise enjoyable vacation.
Il can't understand why any police
man viii beat prisoner" Commission
er Crosby said, when he knows that
such tactics will cost his job his re-
spect in the community, in fact every
thing that Is important to him IN life"
Commissioner Crosby said, too, he
could not comprehend the action of
any police oficer in trying TO shield
another officer guilty of brutal treat
ment, unless it be for the honor Of the
force.
This statement recalled to Gen.
Crosby's memory an old story which
went the rounds OF the Army years ago,
and he cited it as an illustration of
the present situation IN Washington.
An Army sergeant marched a COM
pany of men before a court martial
board" he said. and when asked the
purpose Of bringing the entire COM
pany, the sergeant replied To testify
70 anything the captain wants US TO
say"