Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13
BOARD IN STAPLES
CASE LAYS PLANS
Will Relieve D. c. Heads of
Responsibility of Passing
on Jury Report.
Continued From First Page }

CAOALi EAASe 4 o8OJ
board have any definite plan Of pro-
cedure In mind they have not dis
closed it to either the Commissioners
or Corporation Counsel william w.
Bride, who solicited their services In
this so-called civic duty. One of the
first questions to be settled, however,
IS whether the boards sessions are to
be open to the public, or held behind
closed doors. District officials want
to put stop to the "whitewash" gossip
which usually follows the exoneration
OF a policeman, and for this reason. 1t
is believed, the board will conduct
public hearings. AS a matter Of fact,
the Commissioners went outside the
government to pick an in
vestigating board because the reaction
to nearly all police trials Is said to be
a frame up" If the off1cer is dismissed,
and "whitewash" If he is vindicated.
-Four voluminous stenographic trans
cripts Of the Staples trial in 1929 have
been collected for the use of the in
vestigating board. It Is likely that the
members will review this testimony to
familiarize themselves with the case
before conducting any hearings. Other
wise, without this background, District
officials realize the board would have
difficulty in proceeding.
Bride Conceives Idea.
The idea OF an investigating board
composed Of lawyers exclusively was
conceived by Corporation Counsel Bride
because he wanted his ONCE excused
from taking any part in the inquiry
The prosecution Of the Staples case
was conducted by Brides office, and he
felt this prior association might lead
to a charge Of prejudice in the present
proceedings. Brides Office, however
will conduct the prosecution, If any
members OF the police force go before
the extraordinary civilian trial board as
result of the findings Of the board OF
lawyers.
Although the Commissioners an
nounced their intention Of creating the
civilian trial board more than q week
ago, actual steps to select its personnel
will not be taken until tomorrow after
noon at o'clock, when the presidents
of the five major civic and trade or
CARNATIONS get to gether to suggest o
slate of potential candidates. The
meeting was called by the Commission
ers in an appeal to the five organiza-
lions to aid them in finding the type
of men they want to serve on the trial
board.
Invitations were extended to George
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Board OF Trade; Harry King, president
of the Washington Chamber Of Com
merce: Mark 1,ansburgh, president Of
the Merchants and Manufacturers As.
ISOLATION; DR.. George c. Havenner,
president Of the Federation Of Citizens
and DR.. George H. Rich
ardson, president of the Federation Of
Civic Associations. The last named Is
q colored organization.
The Commissioners intend to ask
these men to suggest the outstanding
members in their respective organiZa-
tons who might serve on the proposed
trial board as o civic duty. From the
combined list, i've will be selected.
Department of Justice investigators
are understood to have uncovered
quiry so wide In extent as to dispute
the contention that brutality has &C.
Cured in isolated instances only.
While the department itself may not
feel authorized to draw conclusions on
this point, the grand jury undoubtedly
will have available O mass Of data on
which to base special report to the
court on administrative aspects Of the
thir6-degree problem.
Work TO End Inquiry.
Director j. Edgar hoover OF the bu.
reau Of Investigation, In charge of the
probe, is said to be reluctant to attempt
to single out certain police officials for
criticism. It Is the duty OF his bureau,
he holds, to investigate criminal acts
and present legal evidence In connec-
ton herewith to the court authorities
for prosecution.
Under present plans, the last appear
Ance Of Director Hoover and members
Of his stan at the grand Jury room VIII
take place Wednesday. The greatly en-
larged corps Of investigators was work.
Ing feverishly over the week end 70
complete the inquiry by tomorrow or
Tuesday.
The exact number Of cases in which
indictments will be sought by United
states Attorney Leo A. Rover has not
been announced. It Is said final de-
cision on the number to be presented
will not be made until the agents have
concluded every angle Of their probe.
The investigators were to continue their
work today without interruption.
II the grand jury should decide b