Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-10
Board Plans Considered.

Board Plans Considered.
The District Commissioners today
resumed consideration of their plan to
create an extraordinary board of
civilians to pass upon the report Of
the grand jury recommending the re-
instatement of former Policeman Orville
Staples and punishment of those re-
sporsible for his dismissal from the
force, but failed to take any definite
action.
For two and half hours the Gem
miSsioners discussed the plan with Cor
poration Counsel William w Bride de-
voting their time chiefly, It was
announced to the legal and actuarial
problems involved in the appointment
of the proposed civilian board Names
of prominent men who will be solicited
to serve on the board also were dis
cuSSed, but no indication was given as
to those under consideration.
Daniel E. Garges. secretary TO the
Board of Commissioners, who was dele
gated to advise the press of the develop
ments at the conference, said it was
unlikely that the personnel of the board
would be selected before the early part
of mex. week. 1t is the intention of
the Commissioners. it was said, to de-
termine whether the men wanted on
the board will serve before their names
are made public.
Powers Undetermined.
The Commissioners last Saturday an
nounced their plan to create the special
civilian board, but thus far have not
definitely decided whether it will be
composed Of either five or three men,
oers. Neither has a decision been
reached as to whether the board will be
constituted as an inquisitorial or trial
group, although enough information
leaked out the conference to indicate
that the Commissioners prefer a trial
board if they can find a basis for pre-
ferring charges against some one in
volved in the Staples case
The grand jury urged the dismissal
of Policeman Joseph H. Hunt of the
second precinct for the part he IS al
legged to have played in the framing
of Staples, and he probably will be Sc
lected as the victim. Hunt, however.
will be willing victim, because he has
demanded, through counsel, an imme-
date trial and an opportunity to de-
fend himself against the charges Of the
grand jury.
ing the Commission is what charge to
place against Hunt in order to get his
case before a Trial Board
The Commissioners have been adj
vised that charges could be drawn.
based on the grand jury's findings, If
members OF the jury can be persuaded
to testify as the complaining witnesses.
Some of the members of the proposed
civilian board. - least, are to be drawn
from the ranES of the citizens associa-
lions. This was indicated when the
Commissioners called on Secretary
Garges for a list of the various civic
bodies and their officers, and he
promptly furnished it.
Issue Special Bulletin.
In a special bulletin sent to all
precincts today by Maj Pratt, District
Commissioner Crosby conveyed to the
police an assurance that the Commits
sioners will support every man who
properly and firmly performs his duty
and expressed confidence that the
morale of the force will be heightened
when the guilty, If there be such" are
punished.
The bulletin, at Gen. Crosby's request
contained the text of the letter which
President Hoover sent to the Depart
ment of Justice, sanctioning the Gov
eminent inquiry. Commanding officers
the bulletin to all members of their
commands for two consecutive days.
Text Of Crosby Letter.
Gen. Crosby's letter follows:
My dear Maj. Pratt:
Il wish to again publish to your force
the statement Of the President of ALL
gust 81, for 1t expresses my views in
our present difficulties far better than
can, and I know expresses the views
of our representative citizens.
Il realize the lowering of the morale
the present investigation is causing,
but wish you to assure the police force
that every man who properly and firmly
performs his duty will have my sup
port as we'll as that of the other Com
miesioners. 7 know the good men of
the force, and they constitute the vast
majority, wish to see this investigation
pushed without fear or favor and de-
sire the elimination of the unfit as
earnestly as do We and do all good
citizens.
with the clearing up of the allega-
lions now persiSting against the police
and with the punishment of the guilty.
if there be such, the confidence Of the
public in the department should be
restored.
IT have shown this letter to the other
Commissioners and they most heartily
indorse it."
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