Evening star., 1936-12-01
Inquiry Unwarranted on
Basis of Charges, Mrs.
Norton Says.
HOUSING AND RENTAL
INVESTIGATIONS SOUGHT
House Chairman Has Reached No
Decision on Action-Now
Working on Program.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Stan Correspondent OIL ( Star

JERSEY CITY, December l.
Alleged Communist-inspired deman
for an investigation of the Washin'
ton Police Department today col.
fronted Chairman Norton of the
House District Committee as she con-
tinued work on her legislative program
for the coming session of Congress.
She also has been urged to have her
committee conduct an inquiry into the
housing and rental situation in the
District.
Mrs. Norton revealed that the de-
mands for an investigation Of the
Police Department came chiefly from
representatives of an organization be-
lieved to be allied with Communist
forces in the United States. She said
the complaints came from various
sections of the country, and charged
enforcement and prosecution officials
with failure to take proper action
against policemen who. in the last Is
years. were alleged to be responsible
for the death of more than 80 colored
persons.
A Communist paper recently pub
lished story holding Mrs. Norton as
well as United States Attorney Leslie
c. Garnett and Police Supt. Ernest W.
Brown responsible for the conditions
Refers Complaints to Maj. Brown.
Mrs. Norton referred all of the COM
plants to Maj. Brown, who reported
that every case in which a police
officer had been involved in the death
Of colored person had been "passed
on" and closed. He also told Mrs
Norton it has been the policy of the
department to take proper action
against policemen when they are
found to be at fault"
Maj Brown also pointed out that
1t is unreasonable" for any one to
attempt to hold himself as well as
other officials responsible in cases that
occurred long before they took Office
Mrs. Norton said she would not
make any move for an investigation
of the Police Department. and pointed
out that, personally, she feels such an
inquiry would accomplish little. In
this particular case she does not be-
lieve an investigation is warranted on
the basis of the charges in the com.
plants.
No decision has been reached yet
by Mrs. Norton on the requests for
an inquiry into the rental and hous-
ing situation. She is inclined to be-
lieve something should be done" to
aid victims of profiteering landlords.
but doubts whether a congressional
inquiry is the proper remedy.
Rent Control Bill Lost.
Rent control legislation was intro
duced at the last session of Congress
and ANONYMOUSLY defeated in the
House when it was finally called up
after series of ilibusters designed to
prevent its consideration.
Lawyers tell me-" Mrs. Norton
said. that even if Congress should
enact legislation designed to fix and
control rentals in the District it would
be held unconstitutional
THE rent situation is one of those
matters that will have to be taken up
at our first committee meeting. Until
then I don't believe anything can be
done"
Mrs. Norton is devoting considerable
attention to her legislative program
and expects far better results then In
the last Congress in view of her plan
to abolish standing subcommittees,
where 81 bills died from inattention at
the last session. Special committees
will be created to consider various
bills and Mrs. Norton will make an
effort to select chairmen Of these
groups known to be in sympathy with
the legislation.