Evening star., 1935-05-08
RANDOLPH FLAYS
CRITICS Of CRIME
PROBERS' REPORT
Charge of Improper Motives
False and Misleading,
Says Chairman.
Committee ACTION
DELAYED TO MAY 22
Resentment Expressed in State.
ment Reviewing Work-Police
Association Backs Brown.

Critics Of the report Of the spe-
cial Crime Committee of the House
recommending the immediate dis
miSsal of United States Attorney
Leslie c. Garnett and retirement Of
the Police Departments high COM
mand" were condemned today by
Chairman Randolph in a bristling
statement read at meeting OF the
full District Committee.
Randolph indicated he had become
aroused by repeated statements that
the crime report had been "improp-
erly motivated." Such statements, he
declared, not only are false and mis-
leading" but also "impugn the in
tegrity and honesty of purpose Of
special committee of the House OF
Representatives of the United States"
In the meantime the full District
Committee definitely postponed con-
sideration of the crime report until
Wednesday, May % 1t will then be
taken up as the special order of busi-
ness.
Resentment Expressed.
Randolphs statement to the full
committee follows:
Statements which have been widely
circulated to the effect that the re-
port of the Special Crime Investi-
eating Committee was Improperly
motivated are false and misleading.
aIo; Of fIn Yfniff1o T fool
that it is my duty to Congress and to
the people of Washington to make 1t
clear that there is no basis on fact
for statements of this nature. More
over, such assertions impugn the in
tegrity and honesty of purpose Of q
special committee of the House Of
Representatives of the United States.
I believe that express the sentiment
of the members of the crime commit
tee in deploring and resenting state
ments, the sole purpose Of which Is to
discredit the committee by confusing
the public mind as to the real issues
involved.
"I want to state emphatically that
the report was prepared under the
direction and supervision of the
chairman, VIII CO114CAICo
with members of the committee so
that the report would accurately ex-
press the considered judgment OF the
majority.
Attack Expected.
"It was but natural to expect an
attack upon the committees findings
from quarters adversely affected.
Such an attack would be more impress
sive were it not predicated on the
false contention that this committee
of Congress had been imposed upon
I'm order to believe the baSeleSs
statements that the report was die.
tated by an attache of the committee,
it would be necessary first to believe
that every member of this committee
abdicated his or her solemn obliga-
ton. 1 cannot believe that such an
offensive suggestion will be given
credence by our colleagues in Con-
gress, and I do not believe that it will
be taken seriously by the people of
Washington, in whose behalf the COM
mittee has labored."
Although the names of the critics
of the crime report were not mentioned
in Randolph's statement, one of them
has been Representative Blanton,
Democrat, of Texas. He has described
it as "one-man report"
Pledging confidence and support to
Mai. Ernest w. Brown, the Police
mems Association last night opposed
the recommendation of the commit
tee for appointment of a police su-
perintendent who is not now con-
nected with the department"
Pointing out that Maj. Brown "has
been indirectly criticized in the un-
adopted report of the special COM
mittee investigating crime" the as
sociation set forth its full confidence
in the ability, integrity and devotion
to duty of our present superintendent"
Confidence Extended.
The association extended a vote of
confidence to Maj. Brown and pledged
itself to support him to the utmost
in his efforts to properly conduct and
administer the affairs" of the depart
ment under trying conditions"
The police group replied to charges
by the House subcommittee that the
department is not being properly ad-
ministered," and that there is q lack
of morale and esprit de corps lack
of energy and drive" and that "the
rank and file of the force have been
perfunctory and supine."
1t was resolved by the association
that I'VE feel the morale of the force
is at present as high as can be ex-
pected under the circumstances, cir
cumStances beyond the control Of the
major and superintendent"
Regarding the appointment Of q
superintendent outside the DEPART
ment, the association said: I'VE
know by past experience the de-
moralizing effect of such appoint
ments on the morale and efficiency
of the department caused by the lack
of experience and knowledge of the
appointee."
The associations contention was
that "only a man having broad ex-
perience in police problems can
retain the confidence and respect Of
subordinates and successfully admin
lister the affairs of the department"
mo other action will so lower the
morale of the force as to again sub
ject them to inexperienced leadership
by the appointment Of person not
connected with the department"