Evening star., 1941-06-18
Police Probe Planned
Bv Commissioners
With Special Board
Development Precedes
D. c. Committee Call
To Consider Inquiry

high-ranking police officers and clti-
zens, under plan announced today
by Commissioners Hazen and Young
This development came shortly be-
fore Chairman Randolph of the
House District Committee an
nounced that the committee will de-
eide. at a special executive meeting
tomorrow, whether to undertake ar
investigation of the Police Depart
ment as urged by Representative
Hebert, Democrat, of Louisiana.
In announcing the plan for the
investigation Commissioner Young
made clear that he and Commits
sioner Hazen had formulated it be-
fore the murder of Miss Jessie
Elizabeth Strieff. He said its pur-
bose would be to discover ways of
improving the efficiency of the de-
partment. The statement was
issued today in the light of sug-
gestions from members OF Congress
for investigation of the depart
ment.
Kelly Suggested as Board Head.
Commissioner Young said it was
his personal suggestion that the
board be headed by Inspector Ed
ward J. Kelly.
Commissioner Young's statement
follows:
Commissioner HaZen and I had
decided in advance of this crime
1.-THE murder of Miss Strieffl to have
an investigation of the Police De-
partment from top to bottom to see
wherein it may be possible to i'm
prove the efficiency of the Police
Department and thought it would
be a good idea to have three high
ranking police officers, as well as a
couple of civilians, to conduct the
investigation. 1t was my personal
idea to have the committee headed
by Inspector Kelly.
I'VE are indeed appreciative of
the concern of Senator Herring,
Representative Randolph, Repre-
sentative Hebert and other members
of Congress over the gravity of the
crime situation, but wish to say that
this decision on our part was not
prompted by any recent situation
but had previously been determined
by us as a wise course to follow"
Hazen Wants Civilian Majority.
Commissioner HaZen suggested
that the majority of the investigat-
ing group be civilians instead of DO
lice officers
Commissioner Hazen emphasized
that creation of the investigating
board would be subject to formal ac-
ton by the Board of Commissioners
and said he would bring the matter
up at the next meeting Of the Com
missioners. which may be held late
today. tomorrow or Friday. depend
ing upon how pre-occupied the city
heads are with budget hearings be-
fore the Senate District Appropria-
tions Subcommittee.
Brig. Gen. Charles w. Kutz. En-
eineer Commissioner. was absent
from the District Building this
morning attending budget hearings.
Commissioner Hazen emphasized
that the plan he and Commissioner
Young had been discussing for the
last 10 days was not intended In
any way to suggest that Congress
should not investigate the Police
Department, if congressional COM
mittees thought such move desir-
able or necessary. He went on:
I'VE had planned to look into the
efficiency of the department before
this crime wave struck us and we
think we can do the necessary, but
If congressional leaders or commit
tees wish to conduct any survey of
police efficiency of their own, of
course that is their right and priv
ilege and we will be glad to CO.
operate"
No Decision on PrObers Yet.
Commissioner Hazen said no de-
cision had been made yet who
should make the investigation. He
said he felt strongly that if the
board consisted of five members, no
more than two should be police Off
GERS. He suggested also that one
of the civilian members might be
some official of the Justice Depart
ment or the Bureau of Investiga-
tion-"not to act as detective but
to give us the advantage of the
knowledge and experience of a
specially-trained person"
Commissioner Hazen suggested
for possible appointment to the
board E. Barrett Prettyman, prac-
ticing attorney, president of the
District Bar Association and former
corporation counsel, and Ringgold
Hart, who served years ago as prin-
cipal assistant corporation counsel
and who several years ago headed a
special board which investigated the
efficiency of the District relief ma
chinery
In calling the District Committee
10 consider an investigation, Chair
man Randolph was acting on the
suggestion made yesterday by Mr..
Hebert for an investigation to de-
termine whether the police force is
adequate, efficient, properly trained
and properly equipped for its work.
Mr.. Randolph himself made no COM
ment on the crime situation here.
Retirements Approved.
Meanwhile, the first major steps
In a shake-up in the high command
have been taken by the Commits
sioners with approval of official pro-
posals for the retirement of three
inspectors, effective August l.
While accepting these retirements
Yesterday, the Commissioners took
no action for the filling of these
positions, although selection of the
successors, according to reports,
awaits only formal action by the
Board of Commissioners. One pos
sible hitch is some civil service diff
ficulty involved in the anticipated
promotion of Capt. Ira E. Keck to be
chief of detectives, which is expected
to be ironed out momentarily.
Retirements, effective August l,
were approved yesterday by the city
heads for Assistant Supt. of Police
l.. T. H. Edwards, Inspector Bernard
w. Thompson, the chief of detec-
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