Evening star., 1936-05-13
PROPHECY TRAILS
Of
HOUSE HEARINGS
Schultz Gives as Reason In.
ability of Members to |
Attend Tomorrow.
QUIZ NOT EXPECTED
BEFORE NEXT SESSION
Elwood Street, Capt. Barnard and
Col. Peak Were Among Those
to Be Questioned.
BY JAMES E. CHM.

Collapse of the proposed investiga-
ton of charges of political intrigue
and irregularities in the District penal
institutions was predicted today by
Chairman Norton of the House Dis
trict Committee.
Mrs Norton's prediction followed an
indefinite postponement of a hearing
scheduled for tomorrow by special
subcommittee of the District Commits
tee which two months ago started an
"undercover" check-up of complaints
about conditions at the Lorton Re-
formatory and the Occoquan Work
House.
Members Unable to Attend.
Representative Schultz, Democrat, Of
Indiana. chairman of the special sub
committee, said he called of tomor-
rows meeting because some Of the
members, as well as several witnesses,
would be unable to attend. Schultz
planned to have the subcommittee
question Elwood Street, director Of
public welfare: Capt. M. M. Barnard.
general superintendent Of penal insti-
tutions, and Col w. L. Peak, superin-
tendent of Lorton.
Schultz said the subcommittee would
not meet next week because he would
not be in Washington and that it is
likely no further efforts would be made
to question the penal institution OFF,
cials until the next session Of Con-
greSs, in January.
Mrs Norton, however, is satisfied the
investigation will go no further. She
said she called on Schultz for report
of the results of his subcommittee's
"undercover" inquiry thus far, but he
told her it was not yet prepared.
Leak Charged.
Mrs. Norton is irked because sha
has not been kept in touch with de-
velopmentS and first learned through
the newspapers of the subcommittee;
plans to question officials of the penal
institutions. She insisted there had
been premature publicity" in connec'
ton with the subcommittee's Active
ties and announced her intention te
find the source of the leak"
The investigation. it was said, cen,
tered on reports of political intrigue
to prevent Col. Peak from becoming
general superintendent of penal in.
stitutions upon the retirement of Capt
Barnard. Capt. Barnard is of retire.
ment age but is on an indefinite ex'
tension by executive order.
An effort was made some month,
ago to remove Capt. Barnard to max,
way for Harold E. Donnell. superin'
tendent of Maryland penal institu'
tions. 1t was blocked by the Com,
missioners, however. Since that time
| 38 civic and veterans organizations
have indorsed Col Peak for the posi-
ton.
Wants News of Progress.
Mrs. Norton said she had called
on Schultz for a report because
she doesn't know how far the SUBJ
committee has gone with Its inquiry
and, Furthermore. as chairman of the
full committee, she is entitled to b
kept advised of the developments.
The subcommittee was appointed a.
an executive session and Mrs. Nortor
indicated that steps would be taken to
keep its activities secret until q re,
port and recommendations are acted
on by the full committee. She fear,
that some official might be unjustll
injured by making public at this timi
the results of the inquiry.