Evening star., 1935-03-18

(COnClDueO tTOIIl TuoU dSS''
due entirely to negligence and care
leSsness"
The whole Bean-Blanton contro-
yersy. Brown insisted, has been
stirred up as the result Of "rumors. "
He explained that the public had nc
knowledge of the exchange of letters
between himself and Blanton and
that the case was gradually de-
veloped through these rumors.
Brown also admitted he heard nu-
merouS other rumorS-runors, he said
to the effect that the Crime Committee
was out to get" United States At
torney Leslie C. Garnett, Inspector
Burke and himself.
Brown Takes Stand.
The start of the hearing was de-
layed 20 minutes due to the absence
of Chairman Randolph Representa-
tive Schultz finally called the COM
mittee into session.
AS soon as Maj Brown took the
witness stand Fitzpatrick called his
attention to a report on traffic acci-
dents in the District during 1884 cal
endar year.
Fitzpatrick told him information
had reached the committee that vari-
Gus precincts had covered up" a
number of accidents Brown explained
that he had learned the data was not
complete due to neglect and not to
attempt to cover up"
The cases involved were minor and
not major accidents" Brown eX-
planned.
The official report of the Police De-
partment showed 1862 accidents in
the year, whereas Fitzpatrick declared
the total should be over 10000 Fitz-
patrick asked him to explain how
2.700 accidents could go unreported,
and especially one precinct which
failed to report 900 accidents.
Nothing but absolute careleSsness, ="
replied Brown.
A memorandum sent to the force
by Inspector L. I. H. Edwards, assist
ant superintendent and personnel Of
flcer. was introduced showing that a
oheck-up disclosed there were 2,720
more accidents than were sent to
headquarters.
Brown Makes Statement.
Fitzpatrick next called Browns at
tention to the correspondence between
Brown and Blanton relating to the
so-called "gentleman's agreement"
Brown requested he be allowed to
make a statement regarding the case
and this was granted
When I was appointed superin-
tendent October %, 1882, that left the
position open as assistant superin-
tendent," he began. Shortly after
ward the late Representative Wood,
former chairman of the House Appro-
priatlons Committee, urged me to pro-
mote Inspector Bean to fill the va
cancy in the assistant superintendent
which I left I took the matter up
with former Commissioner Crosby and
he felt that the position should not be
filled because of economy reasons. AS
result promoted Capt. B. A, Lamb
to the rank of inspector and left the
assistant superintendent'S job vacant.
"A year ago, another member, for
mer Representative Collins of MiSsiS-
Sippi, told me he wanted Inspector
Davis to get the position as assistant
superintendent and he. as a member
of the Appropriations Committee, was
going to see that the item went in the
appropriation bill so that Davis could
get the position.
Edwards Volunteered.
Inspector Edwards later told me he
would step down and let Bean take
the position because Bean contem-
plated retirement and he wanted him
to get the increased retirement pay
as a reward for his many years Of
service"
II told Edwards I would like to do
something for both Bean and Headley,
but that I could not accept his sug-
geStion. Bean was senior to Head
ley in point of service.
Later I heard that the Appropria-
tionS Committee planned to abolish
the position of micro-analyst. In
spector Burke and l called on Chair
man Cannon of the subcommittee in
charge of District appropriation bill to
stress the Importance of that job.
While at the Capitol I saw Blanton.
He told me the position of assistant
superintendent would be restored and
said numerous people, both Masoas
and Catholics, had come to him in the
interest OF Headley.
II told him I was going to recon-
mend Inspector Bean because it had
been my policy to recommend the
senior officer from the point of serv-
ice
He asked me who would be next
in line and I said Bean.
He said, Fine
Il next talked to Blanton about the
micro-analyst and he said, I will do
what I can about it.
Fitzpatrick asked him if he got the
position.
mo- replied Brown.
Promotion Popular.
II had no conference with Blanton
and on May 1 I made Bean an
assistant superintendent. There was
never a more popular promotion in