The Indianapolis times., 1934-03-08
State Safety Director Is Not
an Able Executive,
Charges GreenIee.
MAKES BITTER RET0RT
Appointment Made as Favor
to Van NuyS, Claims
MCNutt Aid.

ment. this afternoon by Pleas
Greenlee, McNutt patronage Secre-
tary.
Bitter criticism Of Commissioner
Feeney came from Mr.. Greenlee IN
the wake of an interview in The
Times yesterday in which Mr..
Feeney charged that partisan poll
tics Is preventing him from perfect
ing the state police force.
Although he exonerated Governor
PaultV. McNutt and did not name
Mr.. Greenlee as the one to be
blamed, the patronage secretary felt
H. was he al whom the statement
was directed, and today accepted the
challenge.
Al Feeney has caused more trou-
bic and embarrassment for this ad-
ministration than all other ap-
pointees combined" Mr.. Greenlee
declared.
No Executive, Says Pleas
He is constantly wrangling with
the chiefs of his various depart
ments, and certainly that isn't the
Vay to build up a competent force.
Appointed head of the police de
partment and state fire marshal, he
had no experience either as po-
uceman or fireman. Now feel that
he is no executive. He has broken
all the administration rules regard
ing purchase of supplies and the
like. and usually sides against us IN
any controversy.
Only recently he wrote to Robert
Estill, Lake county prosecutor, and
apologized for Estill getting into a
fight with Captain Matt Leach.
He has fought with Leach, Glenn
Smith, head of the fire marshalS
office. and Karl Burkan Of the
identification bureau.
appointment Was Favor"
I do not know what the Cover
nor has in mind for Mr.. Feeney in
the future. but I do know that my
acts have been with executive ap-
proval
L am a Democrat and intend to
remain loyal to my party. Mr..
Feeney says he is a Democrat, and
that was one of the qualifications
necessary for him to get his present
appointment.
In fact, the Governor put him IN
as a personal and political favor to
Senator Frederick Van Nuys.'
The Greenlee-F -Feeney fight mere
" went into another round with the
latest outbreak. the feud between
the two being of months standing.
Republicans Issue Statement
Republicans we're quick to capi-
talize on the situation and this att
ternoon Don B. Irwin. state chair
man. issued a statement on the
controversy from G.. o. P. head
quarters at the Claypool.
Citing Commissioner Feeney' S
contention that there was nothing
but politics in the police force when
he took it over, Mr.. Irwin pointed
out that it was then under Secre-
tary of State Frank A. Mayr Jr., a
Democrat.
Referring to the Governors say
ing that the Feeney interview was
"unwarranted and inopportune a.
this time" Mr. Irwin said:
If any one is permitted to differ
with our Governor. may 1 disagree
with Mr.. McNutt's statement that
the commissioners protest against
political interference is 'unwar-
ranted and inopportune at this
time.
Relieves II Timely"
To the contrary. in view of the
Dillinger disgrace, 1 believe it most
timely, and if political conditions
within the state police force are
anything like they have been in
state departments and state institu-
tionS, particularly our penal institu-
tions, then the commissioners pro-
test was certainly warranted.
The commissioners drive for
state police force free from political
activity Is commendable and I am
amazed that Governor McNutt
should have the audacity to turn
him down. The state may rest as
Sured that the Republican party
stands ready to aid any plans to
give Indiana the kind of police
force the state needs"
Governor McNutt. who left yes
terday for a speaking engagement
in South Carolina and business in
Washington. was very irate when
the Feeney interview was called TO
his attention.
Governor Is Irate
Words will not permit me to ex-
press how I feel about that sort of
thing" he said. ''Al Feeney has
had a free hand and there is not
a word of truth in the contention
that he has been interfered with" ="
Mr. Greenlee admitted that he
ordered two state policemen to
take part in a faction fight in Sui
livsn county. but said one was on
each side and Mr.. Feeney refused
10 fire the man against the McNutt