Evening star., 1939-07-22
Detectives Reported
5purning Questions
OF F. B. |. Probers
Feel Federal Agents
Are Merely Fishing for
Chance information

A number of Washington detec-
tives were reported today to be re-
fusing to answer personal" ques-
tions put to them by Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation agents who
are probing into Police Court pro-
cedure and police participation in
the prosecution of felony cases.
In the absence of Police Chief
Ernest w. Brown today, high off,
cials Of the department refused TO
comment on the investigation. 1t
was learned. however that the probe
is encountering increasing opposi-
ton from members of the force who
feel the agents have nothing def
mite to 60 on and are merely fish
ing for chance information.
Two Detectives Appear.
At least two detectives. Capt.
Floyd Truscott and Acting 1t. Rob-
ert Barrett. appeared for re-exam-
ination with their attorneys. In
both cases, it was said, the agents
announced they would not question
the officers in the presence of law
yers. Acting 1t. Barrett was repre-
sented by Attorney Charles Ford
The investigation began several
weeks ago when agents began to
delve into Polio Court records, with
special attention to nolle PROSE-
cases and prosecution records.
The inquiry then branched to Of
f1cers who had helped prepare the
cases and to their records.
Many Questioned.
More than so detectives. lieuten-
ants and captains, and at least one
inspector. have been questioned in
the last few weeks.
The questions directed at police,
it was said, related in many ways to
their financial affairs. One leuten-
ant was asked about his bank &C
count and about mortgage on his
home. Another high police official
was quizzed concerning ownership of
summer home on the bay and if
his wife was employed
The questions, it was said were
even extended to the ownership Of
personal jewelry worn by the officers.
Several officers who would not be
quoted directly admitted they had
declined to answer questions which
seemed to them of too personal
nature.
No Desire for Controversy.
No statement was forthcoming to-
day from the Department of Justice
on these new developments, but it
seemed certain that the inquiry
would be pursued along the present
lines despite the attitude of the
Police Department.
Attorney General Murphy was
away over the week end, but pub
lished reports of the irritation of
police officials over the long drawn
out inquiry had been brought to his
attention. He was understood to feel
that his position in the matter had
been made clear and that no further
comment was called for. It was
emphasized that there is no inten-
ton of engaging in controversy with
the Police Department.
The Attorney General has in
sisted all along that members OF
the police force were being ques-
toned solely in an effort to throw
light on Police Court conditions
that are under scrutiny.
The exact nature of the court
probe never has been disclosed by
the department, the Attorney Gen.
eral having declined to go beyond
the statement to newspapermen
that certain situation" was being
looked into. 1t has been no secret
that the Department had interested
itself in charges against Police Judge
Hobart Newman.
Meanwhile, the District Commits
sioners were withholding their in
dorsement of list of IA depart
mental promotions until they can
be sure the investigation does not
implicate any of the men named on
the list.
Commissioner George E. Allen
emphasized, however, that none of
the IA men is implicated, so far as
is known.
The investigation has occasioned
considerable resentment and ill-feel-
ing between questioners and ques-
toned, it was said. One of the
agents interviewing local officers is
himself former member of the
force, detectives said.
At first, the officers were sum.
moned to the Justice Department
directly from their homes, but more
recently the policemen were sent te
the r. B. I. by their superior officers
| ul1n had received lists Of the mer