Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-26
Justice Department
COnfers With the
Local Officials.
REPORT OF BEATING
PROBE FORWARDED
Maj. Pratt Recommends
Civilian Board Try
Four Officers.

Commissioner Luther H. Reich
eiderfer. president of the Board
OF Commissioners of the District,
IN his fight for a complete inves-
tigation of the Washington Police
Department, has asked the aid of
the Federal Government.
Determined that such an inves-
tigation shall be conducted along
the most sweeping lines and that
It shall be removed beyond any
possible suspicion of influence,
Commissioner Reichelderfer and
Corporation Counsel william w.
Bride, went to the White House
last night, where they laid the en-
tire situation before President
Hoover and asked his support.
This was Immediately given when
the President arranged for con-
ference between District and De-
partment Of Justice officials. This
conference is being held this aft
ernoon with the prospect that the
most thorough-going investigation
Of any branch Of the District gov
eminent will be initiated in the
Immediate future.
President Hoover, it is under
stood, is in thorough sympathy
with the request OF the Commits
sioner and Mr.. Bride for Depart
snent Of Justice assistance. It is
understood that the President
communicated with Department
Of Justice officials asking that the
department give the request Of
che District officials all possible
consideration.
Il Commission Gets Report.
The ofaciai Police Department re-
port On the charges OF brutal treat
ment OF 4 prisoner at the first precinct
following hts arrest Saturday was de-
uvered 10 the Commissioners today.
The report transmitted today deals
0nly with the case of James Henry
Harker, who charges that four nrst
precinct policemen beat him into con-
tossing to a burglary. Since that case,
however, several others have been
brought to the departments attention
and are nov being investigated. Two
more were brought TO the attention OF
The Star today.
loco Available for Probe.
The Commissioners we're advised by
District Auditor Daniel j. Donovan that
there is fund OF $1,000 available for
use In an outside investigation Of the
case under the current appropriation.
This Is part Of a 81, 600 appropriation
for use In cases of emergency, riot, pes
thence and the Ike. The last clause
OF the appropriation reads: PROVIDED
Nnak the EfII14tLdSE Vi COSAAAAAASeASA-
ers shall be suficient voucher for the
expenditure Of not TO exceed $1,000
for such investigations as they may
deem necessary"
The report on the Harker case, signed
nv Maj. Henry c. Pratt, chief Of police
was delivered at the District Building
this morning by Assistant Supt. William
s. shelby. II notifies the Commits
sioners of the suspension OF Preeincs
Detective James Mostyn and Pyts. W. =.
Groores, william r. Lafiin and William
r Burroughs on Harkers charges. ano
recommended that CoTpor alton Counsel
William w. Bride be instructed 10
draft charges against these men. and
that the charges be placed before a
trial board composed exclusively oil
men having no connection with the Pc
lice Department.
Also. a stack Of afidayits accom-
uanied the report containing state
lnents from % members OF the COM
n1and at the first precinct, from Pvt.
Edward r. Daniels, fourth precinct
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