Evening star., 1940-02-03
Officials Prepare
For Trials Of Brodie
And Leo Murray
Move Clears Way for
Senate Confirmation
Of Hozen on Tuesday

Senute Confirmation
Of Hozen on Tuesday
District officials prepared today
for the prosecution of two members
of the Police Department as an
aftermath to yesterdays agreement
by Senator Byrnes, Democrat, OF
South Carolina to withdraw his
opposition to action on conflrma-
ton of the appointment OF Melvin
c. Hazen for a third term as Dis
trict Commissioner.
Acting on behalf of Pvt. Hubert
(Steve) Brodie, who last November
had been denoted from the rank
of detective sergeant "for the good
of the service" Senator Byrnes had
blocked action on Mr.. Hazen's con-
firmation, insisting that the po-
liceman should be given a chance
to face charges and have a public
trial.
Confirmation Expected Tuesday.
AS a result of a conference yes
terday in the Office of Chairman
King of the Senate District Com
mittee, Senator Byrnes agreed to
withdraw his objection, and confir-
nation of Commissioner Hazen is
expected to be granted next Tues
day.
While agreeing to grant trial to
Pvt. Brodie, Commissioner Hazen
decided that "in all fairness" charges
should be preferred also against
Pvt. Leo Murray, also formerly
detective sergeant, who at the same
time as Pvt. Brodie was denoted
'for the good of the service"
The two are to be tried before
a special civilian trial board, in
stead of the regular Police Trial
Board, according to plans an
nounced by Commissioner Hazen.
The membership of the board has
not yet been selected.
Gasch to Prosecute.
Corporation Counsel Elwood H.
Seal has designated as prosecutor
Oliver Gasch, an assistant corpora
ton counsel, who achieved head
lines last year by his handling of
the case of Dr. Carrie Weaver Smith,
ousted superintendent of the Ma
tional Training School for Girls.
The exact nature of the charges
to be preferred against Pvts. Brodie
and Murray has not been revealed
Commissioner Hazen has asked Mr..
Seals Office to assist the Police De-
partment in drawing specifications.
Mr.. Gasch will be detailed as spe-
cial aide in this connection.
Yesterdays developments involved
Pvt. Murray Unexpectedly, according
to reports at the District Building.
1t was said he had made no demand
for trial.
According to reports, it was Pvt.
Brodie who appealed to Senator
Byrnes to make demands for a trial,
on the grounds that he had been de-
NOTED without any specific reasons
being given. Policeman Brodie is a
native of South Carolina.
Pvt. Murray, now assigned to No.
II Precinct Station, has been a
member of the Police Department
for nearly 80 years and had been
made a detective sergeant in July,
1880.
Pvt. Brodie late yesterday issued
the following statement:
Il have been a member of the
police force in Washington for %
years and a detective sergeant for
is years. In all my long experience
there has been no complaint of my
service.
Asked Reason for Demotion.
when I was denoted in Novem-
Der, I asked the reason for the de-
motion. was told it was for the
good of the service and later that I
had been seen in the company of
gamblers. I demanded an oppor-
tunity to know what was supposed
to be guilty Of and that I be given a
chance to answer. I could get no
further information. Because I was
a South Carolinian, appealed to
| NSAA"CoA oyiAACo dAlu w I6CPIcScllUds
tive Mcmillan, to try and find out
what the charges were against me.
I felt If had been guilty of mis-
conduct I should be discharged from
the service instead of being denoted.
If I were guilty of violating any law
1t seemed to me I should have been
prosecuted.
Il only asked for the opportunity
to answer any charges they have
against me. think every police Of
ficer should be given that oppor-
tunity. am now told I will be given
trial and that is all I ask. have
been told that 1t may mean losing
my job, but I do not mind that.
There is something in life more than
a job and that is the good name
want for my wife and six children"