Evening star., 1941-06-20

Makeup Of Committee
Discussed; Gen. Kutz
Silent on Attitude
Plans for an investigation of Polio,
Department efficiency were pushed
today by two members of the Boarc
Of Commissioners. while the thirc
continued to withhold judgmen
and declared District executive.
should wait to see what action may
be taken by the House District Com.
mittee.
Commissioners Melvin C. HaZer
and John Russell Young held briei
conference before they went to Cap
itol Hill hearings and discussed
tentative arrangements for creation
of a board OF inquiry to investigate
police efficiency from top to bot
tom"
Brig. Gen Charles w. Kutz, thu
Engineer Commissioner, said h,
felt the Commissioners should take
no action, at least until the meet
ing of the House District Commit.
tee scheduled for Monday.
Commissioners Hazen' and Young
discussed the question of who woulo
conduct an inquiry, but announced
no decision.
Commissioner Young recalled that
the Commissioners asked some weeks
ago for reports and recommends
tions on the physical condition of all
police and firemen IS years old or
older. AS a result of this step, de-
cisions have been reached to retire
three police inspectors and other
policemen and a number Of firemen
several nigh-ranking officials.
Commissioner HaZen said his view
was that the inquiry would not be
trial" but rather more or less
cold -blooded appraisal of what is the
efficiency of the department ano
what can be done to strengthen it.
Gen. Kutz told reporters nothing
was said to me about the plan fol
an investigation until yesterday
morning, except what had read the
day before in the papers" He saio
the Commissioners had only few
minutes before going to hearings al
the Capitol.
Asked whether he thought an in
vestigation ought to be made, Gen
Kutz replied, Il don't want to be
pressed for an answer just now. We
are taking steps, one at a time, and
taking them in order. If I answer
your questions now I might be dis
closing our plans"
Favors Best Force Possible.
When reporters asked Gen. Kutl
if the retirement Of three police in.
spectors was step in a suggested
program his answer was no. He
added: Il believe the District should
have the best Police Department
and Detective Bureau that condi-
tions warrant"
At another point in the press
interview, Gen. Kutz said he be-
lieved the study, If ordered by con-
gressional committees or the Com
missioners, should be designed to
see If the Police Department and
the Detective Bureau need strength
ening and if so how. He said 'it is
not question of money, but OF
efficiency"
Asked If this meant that he was
dissatisfied with the Police Depart.
ment efficiency he replied, Il am
not prepared 10 say"
An inquiry by the House District
Committee into the police situation
here was asked two days ago by
Representative Hebert, Democrat, OF
Louisiana to determine the eff
cheney, training and equipment OF
the police.
Chairman Randolph said Mr..
Hebert's request would be the "spe-
cial order of business" at the COM
mittee's regular weekly meeting
Monday at 10 am.
Pay Bill Reported.
At the same time 1t was indicated
that in view of the crime situation
here the House will not be asked
Monday, the next District day, to
consider a bill on its calendar pro-
viding eventual pay increases of
about $500 q year for police and
firemen.
Despite this development, the
committee filed a favorable report
on the bill with the House, in which
it said: 1T Is the opinion of the
committee that If an effective and
worthwhile organization is to be
built up and maintained, considera-
ton should be given to the need
for adequate compensation"
The report also declared the
Police and Fire Departments of the
District should set the standard
not only in the quality of the police
and fire service, but in the re-
muneration for men engaged in that
service, and it Is with the hope of
attracting the class of men essen
tial to the highest efficiency in the
two departments that this bill is
presented"
Other Bills Reported.
The committee also filed reports
with the House on three bills il
approved Monday. One provides for
the reorganization and co-ordina-
ton of recreational activities here
under supervision and control of a
board Of seven members. Another
would increase from $3.50, 900 to
$500, 900 the authorization for con-
struction of a new building for the
recorder Of deeds now being erect
ed at Sixth and D streets NV. The
third would place additional safe
guards around confidential infor-
nation In the records Of the Board
of Public Welfare relating to public
assistance clients.