Evening star., 1935-03-12
MOTHER OBJECTS
At TCR|ME HEARING
TO POLICE ACTION
Says Precinct Officer Acted
as "Judge and Jury"
During Dispute.
PROSTITUTION CONTROL
LAWS ARE ADVOCATED
Capt. E. ]. Kelly Asks Heavier
Fines and Jail Term to
Curb Vice.

Charges that Detective Robert j.
Maghan, third precinct, had acted as
"a Judge and jury" in handling a case
involving her son and two other boys
were made before the special Crime
Committee of the House today by Mrs.
Mary Parks Morley, 1910 Twenty
third street. ',..
Mrs Morley appeared before the
committee at her own request and
described in minute detail the action
of Detective Maghan and the parents
of the two other boys in an effort to
settle housebrekaing charges against
all three boys.
She testified that although the
three boys confessed to breaking into
and robbing a sporting goods store,
her son and one of the other boys
were the only ones arrested.
Il feel an injustice has been done
me with regard to my son, due to
the fact that one of the boys in
volved was not arrested" declared
Mrs. Morley. Il also feel an injustice
has been done because was the only
one caller on to pay for the damage,
and not the parents of the other
boys"
asked to Return Later.
The committee was unable to hear
Mrs. Morley's complete statement be-
cause roll call in the House forced
an abrupt termination of the hearing.
and she was told to return later in the
day.
Capt. Edward ]. Kelly of the third
precinct completed his testimony by
voluntarily urging more drastic law
to control prostitution in the District.
He suggested that the present S25 fine
be increase to 500 for the first Of
Tense. $500 for the second offense.
and mandatory jail sentence of
year for the third offense.
Without such a penalty, Kelly de-
elared, it will be impossible to control
prostitutes, who, he said, will continue
as such unless forced to find some
ot1er occupation through heavy fines
and jail sentences. Kelly explained
ne had made particular efforts to
keep such women out of his precinct,
put, he added, he occasionally encoun-
tered them on Connecticut avenue.
would Hold Prisoners,
Repeal OF a section of the District
code, relating to warrants of commit
ment and detainers also was urged by
Kelly. who explained that it only
served to aid the criminal element bv
paving the way for release of suspects
In serious crimes in advance of COM
pletlon OF an investigation. That sec
tion ne said permitted "Springing a
prisoner" and its effect on law en-
forcement was very bad"
Kelly was questioned about a COM
plant received by the committee from
Frederick w. M Raymond, who
claimed three policemen attempted to
eject him from a house at 1878 New
Hampshire avenue, where he had been
living
Kelly told the committee he had
made an investigation and learned
that two of the officers involved were
members of the Traffic Bureau and
the other was member of the park
police force. Inspector B. A. Lamb, in
command Of the Traffic Bureau. he
explained. is now making a thorough
inquiry into that case.
Says He Discouraged Demand.
Kelly pointed out that j. Y. e. Al
len. an attorney, had called on him
and demanded that officers be sent to
the house to eject Raymond, and he
told the lawyer that the case was
civil affair and not one for the police
to handle. Despite that the three Off
GERS. without his knowledge, he de-
clared, attempted to eject the man.
He explained it was just another case
OF officers not attached to his pre-
cinct taking action to which he had
objected.
Previously Kelly had urged that all
traffic officers assigned to duty in his
precinct be placed under his COM
mand instead of the Traffic Bureau.