Milford chronicle., 1933-04-14
PrObers Report On Liquor
Theft Conceal Evidence

inally intended, to general polio
work throughout the State.
Lack OF Discipline Seen
Your committee feels" the re
port states, that there has been
lack of discipline in reference to tn
State Police. AS to the cause of thi
lack of discipline. your COMMITTEES
is not able to definitely ascertain
but is able to advise that certain
rules and regulations, which are th'
first principles of police duties, have
not been carried ont by the State Po
lice" The report points to tho
Penny Hill liquor theft as an exam
pie of this and then goes on to re
cite the history of that case.
Direct evidence as to what Off
Ger participated in the disappear
ance of the liquor has not been
clearly established, the report
states. "and the committee feels
this is Il question to be decided upon
by the ones in proper authority from
evidence obtained by said commit
tee which is now on record and will
be, in due course, turned over to the
proper authorities" The report sets
out that the attorney general has
co-Operated with the committee in
every way i'm the investigation and
it compliments him for the efficient
manner in which his office investi-
gated the Penny Hill mystery.
Make Recommendation
Based on its findings the commit
tee advised the House that:
The committee is of the opinion
that the State Police organization
has outgrown its preceptOrs' plan in
that it has passed from the original
field of patrol duty into the field
of general police duty which Occu-
pies, the committee feels, at least
rs per cent of its time.
The committee feels first that the
State Highway Department as
whole does not understand police
duties and regulations and, second
ly, that the State Highway Depart
ment is of such Importance to the
State of Delaware that the commit
lee feels that highway problems
should occupy all of the depart
nent's attention.
"The committee feels especially
lue to the Penny Hill incident, that
rules and regulations
which are the fundamental princi-
lies of police duties, have either
Deen abused by the officers, or the
department has not adopted rules
.dequate to covering certain class
# cases.
"The committee feels that the |
State Police have grown to such a
,oint where they need a supervising |
ead which is set apart and distinct
rom any existing State department |
r commission. The committee feels !
he State Police in itself is one of |
he most essential departments of
he State of Delaware because of
he service il renders to the people
( the State. We feel that the High
,ay Department should relinquish
lithout question any claim that they
night feel they have over the State
'olice, as the purpose Of the release
/ to be one of constructive effort
o better organize the protective
ranch of our State government,
I'VE. therefore. recommend TO this
honorable body that House Substi- /
ute for House Bill No. 462. intro
uced by Representative Charles T. !
acksOD. be passed by this House as
nder -he bill of Representative
ackson the thought of the commit
ee is most ably expressed. We feel
hat commission set up under the
ead of a police commission, con-
isting of our GOveNOr and two
to be appointed by
i'm aud put the organization on
eparate plane of its own whereby
would not be subordinate to any
ther State or department commits,
ion which place we are of the
opinion the State Police
ightfully belong"
The minority report said the sign
RS could not concur i'm the majority
eport because the investigation dis
lOsed little that was not already
nOwn to the State Highway De-
artment and the Attorney General
n the Penny Hill case. AT these
earrings" the report states, the
vidence adduced was such as would
OF have been admissible at any
ourt proceedings, as a major por- d,
on of the testimony was prevalent.
and mostly hearsay." 1t
tates that questions asked and thei
nswers given were of little value
I reaching a conclusion in the
remisss. 1t expresses the belief the
eople OF the State recognize the
tate Police as an efficient body OF
zen who render valuable service to
le State. I'VE are convinced" the
sport continued. there is nothing
wrong with the State
olice system nor with the Mariner
which it is being managed. How
YER, it has been disclosed by the
yidence that certain members of
he State Police force have betrayed
lie trust and confidence repOsed in,
lem by their superiors and we are
Ire that the further investigation
[ this matter will be completed by
le State Highway Department and y,
le Attorney General to the satis-
Iction of the public"