Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-22

Making his first bow to the public of
Washington since his selection as the
new superintendent of the metropolitan
police Brig. Gen. Pelham D. Glassford
pledged loyal service to the District in
brief talk last night before 1900
members of the Board OF Trade at the
Willard Hotel.
/ Grover A Whalen, general manager
of one of the country's largest retail
stores and former police commissioner
of New York, who was principal
speaker of the meeting. urged the Ma
ton to look to the future with conf
dence in an early return Of prosperity.
He cited the importance of country
wide planning by industry for the fu-
ture.
A defense Of the grand jury as an i'm
portant link in the judicial system was
made by United States Attorney Leo A,
Rover, who saw in the inquiSitorial
body protection for the individual citi-
zen against possible overzealousness on
the part of prosecuting officials.
"Two-fisted American"
The new Washington chief of police
who assumes his duties November 16,
was introduced by George w. Offutt,
president of the trade body, as a red
blooded, two-fisted American" who had
risen to the rank of brigadier general in
the wartime Army at the age of IS.
President Offutt at the same time
paid tribute to the 80 years of service
| rendered by Maj. Henry G. Pratt re-
firing superintendent of police, declar-
ing that the Board of Trade had re-
tanned its faith through his long career
here.
Assuming his full share Of response
bility for conduct of affairs of the po-
lice Gen. GlasSford asserted that the
efficiency of the department depended
upon the ability of the man at the head
of the organization.
Pledges Himself to Duty.
Remarking that the District Com
miSsioners had appointed him because
they had confidence in him, Gen. Glass
ford pledged himself to duty. honor
and the city of Washington para
,phrasing the West Point pledge.
Mr. Whalen, who is a member of the
Tammany Society, praised President
Hoover for some of the efforts being
made to overwhelm the forces Of de-
preston.
President Hoover, he said, wisely has
moved to mobilize the Nation to save
the citizen who is willing to work but
unable to find employment to carry him
through the period of depression. The
President also has acted wisely to bring
about formation of the national banking
pool to relieve frozen credits.
Mr.. Whalen said signs of improveA
nent now could be seen in economic
conditions and declared the end Of the
depression is not far away. Lack of
public confidence constitutes the worst
problem today, he said. urging that each
citizen become an optimiSt and give full
support to the Government.
Defends Grand Jury System.
Taking cognizance of questions being
raised by groups as to the need of re-
tanning the grand jury as an important
element in the judicial system today,
United States Attorney Rover said the
ancient inquisitorial body should be
retained, because it is the best system
of protecting the individual from the
possible overzealous acts OF the gov
eminent prosecutor.
It would be unfair to the citizen and
place too great burden of reSpon-
sibility on the district attorney, he said,
to leave to his Office the decision as to
whether accused persons should be
brought to trial
Mr.. Rover pointed out that even
now, with the grand jury in operation,
his offlce receives on an average 600
petitions a month for warrants for
the arrest OF persons, CWo-thlrdS OF
which applications are rejected for
lack of sufficient evidence to warrant
trial, in the opinion of the prosecuting
official.
Objects to Criticisms.
Mr.. Rover also discussed the dis
qualification of several of the grand
juries here in the past two years,
due to the finding of ineligible persons
sitting as members Of the juries.
Objecting to the criticisms made
against court officials for this con-
dition, Mr. Rover said that apparently
it had never occurred to these critics
that perhaps prospective jurors in each
case were asked proper qualifying ques-
lions and failed to answer them cor
rectly or failed to pay proper atten-
ton to them.
Declaring that the court machinery
was at the mercy of the honesty of the
prospective jurors, Mr.. Rover commended
that no system of selecting jurors would
! prove successful unless the persons
called for possible jury service are not
honest or attentive.
MI. Rover also defended the Jury
Commission, urging that its members
should be paid to devote full time to
this work.
Punishment Is Rapid.
Regardless of grand jury difficulties
of the past, which he said can be cor
rected by proper application Of careful
attention, Mr.. Rover commended pun