Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-05
Group Dlgesting Report on
Crime Urges Interstate
Detective Force.
CITIZENS ADVISORY
BODY IS ADVOCATED
Commissioners Unit Wants Sharp
Curb Put on Habitual Grim.
inals' Parole.
BY DON S. WARREN.

Ed CdDlloIlilcIl Vi permanent ClIl-
zens' Advisory Committee on Crime,
development of a small interstate
body Of detectives. and revision of the
system of police promotions and rat
lngs were recommended to the Com
miSSioners today by a committee
named TO digest the crime report re-
Gently drawn up by a subcommittee
of the House District Committee.
Other high lights in the draft re-
leased today by Commissioner Hazer
are recommendations that:
Stringent restrictions be set up
against the release on parole of
"habitual criminals
Precinct captains be held def
initely responsible for what hap
pens in their districts, even though
headquarters units are co-operat-
ing.
Complete rewriting of the Dis
trict criminal code, and study of
the Districts minor criminal pro-
cedure-that is. cases prosecuted
by District officials as distinguished
from the United States attorney.
No Raid "Tip-off" Found.
The Commissioners committee
found there was no "tip-off" in the
now famous unsuccessful gambling
raid at III B street southeast. The
committee made no recommendation
regarding Capt. Joseph Morgan, but
said it appeared he had been "un-
diplomatic" in a statement he Is re-
puted to have made to them that
some one remarked to him This men
were grafters, all except one. and that
that man was too dumb
The Commissioners committee con-
sisted of Corporation Counsel E. Bar
rett Prettyman. Assistant Engineer
Commissioner Howard F. Clark and
George w. Offutt, chairman Of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
The body was directed to review
the full report Of the House Crime
Committee, as we'll as the report
made by Inspector ThaddeuS R. Bean
(who retired July y, on the fifth pre-
in that precinct.
No individuals Considered.
After the committee was named
some three months ago. Commissioner
Hazen said he was not asking this
committee to deal in recommends
tionS as to individuals. At the time
it was reported Hazen was planning
to transfer Capt. Morgan to desk
duty.
The recommendation for Citizens
Committee on Crime differs from the
proposal of the House Crime Com
mittee, which urged creation OF an
official commission, instead of a citi-
zens' advisory group. Prettyman and
his associates said the duty Of the
proposed advisory group would be to
study constantly all phases OF law
enforcement in the District through
both Federal and local agencies, to
formulate suggestions for improve
ment, and to promote coordination
between the several branches.
If such a committee did no more
than serve as an interested check
upon law enforcement agencies. with
unofficial sources of information and
suggestions, it would be worth while, .
the committee said.
Precinct Laxity Claimed.
The Commissioners we're told there
should be "a more compelling re-
sponsibility" upon precinct captains.
Our impression from our interviews
with police officials" the committee
said. lis that there is decided feel
ing that the mere reporting of a sit
uation to headquarters is a clearance
for the precincts" The committee
said this should not serve to relieve
a captain from maintaining law in his
precinct. This was applied particu-
larly to gambling places, diSorderly
houses, illegal liquor sales and vice
on the streets
AN inability to cope with known
law violations indicates lack of capac-
ity which a captain should have.
Such inability should be deemed
cause for demotion for the good of
the service" the Commissioners were
advised. I'VE believe a drastic change
in this attitude would increase police
efficiency"
The proposed interstate detective
force. which would involve co-opera-
ton by Maryland and Virginia, is
designed to deal with serious crimes
affecting the different jurisdictions
and to eliminate handicaps nov faced
because of lack of coordination.
IL Men Asked for Force.
The committee suggested four Dis
trict detectives be qualified as officers
in Maryland and Virginia and that
four from the two States be given full
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