Evening star., 1939-07-28
Police Quiizzed
On Numbers,
Murphy Reveals
F. B. |. Requested
To End Inquiry
This Week

Questioning of certain members
Of the Metropolitan Police Depart
ment at the Federal Bureau of In
vestigation has been in connection
with the numbers racket, Attorney
General Murphy revealed yesterday.
The inquiry probably will be COM
pleted this week, and as far as he
knew nothing unfavorable to the
police department has been uncov-
cred, the Attorney General said.
He said that due to confusion
and misunderstanding about the in
vestigation, which has been going
on for weeks, he had asked the
F. B. I. to conclude its work this
week.
Mr.. Murphy emphasized again yes
terday, as he has done on several
previous occasions, that the investi-
cation is not of the Police Depart
ment itself.
He revealed that two investiga-
tions are currently under way. One
is in connection with the numbers
racket and such cases. The other
Is in connection with Police Court.
Declines to Reveal Source.
The Attorney General declined to
reveal who had asked for the in
vestigations. When it was pointed
out that the District Commissioners
had said they did not request the
probe, Mr.. Murphy replied: That's
right"
To a suggestion that the request
might have come from the White
House, Mr.. Murphy said that was
not correct, and as far as he knew
the White House had no knowledge
of the investigation.
He pointed out, however, that any
citizen could come in and ask for
an investigation.
The Attorney General declined to
comment on the action of the Dis
trict Commissioners in holding up
promotions of IA police officers pend
ing the outcome of the inveStiga-
ton. He said the Commissioners
are not required to hold up the pro-
motions and repeated that the whole
matter will likely be completed by
tomorrow.
Reason for Confusion. q.
In response to a question about
the authority for the investigation,
Mr.. Murphy said he doubted if the
Justice Department would have au-
thority to make a probe of the Po-
lice Department unless some Fed
eral law was involved. The Justice
Department, he added, can investi-
gate only violations of United States
law.
Mr.. Murphy, emphasizing that
there is no investigation of the Po-
lice Department, said the confusion
has apparently-andu UNDERSTANDABLE
been caused by the police or some
one speaking for them. He said the
F. B. 1. wanted the assistance of
some members of the Police De-
partment, and their efforts appar-
emily had been misunderstood.
Mr.. Murphys attention was called
to the reported questioning of Dis
trict policemen on their real estate
holdings, bank accounts and similar
matters. He was asked what con-
nection such questions would have
with the current Investigations.
The Attorney General replied that
he knew nothing about such ques-
tions. If such questions were asked
by the F. B. I. agents, he comment
ed, it was on the theory they would
throw light on the numbers racket
or some such case,
Policemen who have been ques-
toned by F. B. 1. men have said
they were asked such questions.
Some were relieved of further ques-
tioning, it was reported, when they
demanded to have their superior
officers or attorneys present during
the examination.
When informed of the Attorney
Generals remarks, Maj. Ernest W.
Brown, superintendent, said it was
gratifying to learn there has been
nothing unfavorable to police in the
investigation. He expressed the
opinion Washington police are
"above the average" of other cities
In the country "in honesty and eff
ficiency.'