Evening star., 1941-07-27
Keck Reported
Now in Lead for
Detective Chief
Police Report to Go
To Full House
Group Tomorrow

Capt. Ira E. Keck was reported
"out in front" yesterday for selec-
ton as permanent head of the De-
tective Bureau as House investiga-
tors of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment added to their report a
condemnation of alleged "Gestapo"
practices of a special investigation
unit of the department is injurious
to morale.
The revised report of the sub
committee which recently completed
the police investigation will be sub
mitted formally to the full House
District Committee at its regular
meeting at 1O:3 80 am. tomorrow
Final action by the Commits
sioners on a scheduled reorganiza-
ton of ranking police officers
is not expected until after this re-
port is received
Capt. Floyd TruScott, now COM
mander of the 10th precinct, who
previously had been mentioned in
some reports as the choice for de-
tective chief. would be designated
cne of the four new ace detectives
at the pay of a captain. if the latest
tentative program is carried out.
Fowler and Barrett Mentioned.
Others scheduled for the crack
detective posts are said to be Capt.
John Fowler. now commanding the
18th precinct, and 1t. Robert Bar
rett, third precinct, leaving one OF
these positions yet to be filled.
The Commissioners committee as
signed to investigate police admin
istration and efficiency may 60 into
numerous details of police organiza-
tion and methods not covered by
the House Investigators This group,
headed by Mai Beverly c. Snow,
Assistant Engineer Commissioner,
plans to study practices in Clncln-
natl, Cleveland and perhaps other
cities 1t already has received copies
of report OH a recent survey Of the
Baltimore Police Department.
The original House subcommittee
report on police changes has been
increased by addition of several Sec
tons One. it was said. will explain
the sudden closing of the investiga-
ton and the failure of the Subcom-
mittee to take the testimony OF civic
leaders and others who had asked
an opportunity to testify.
Another section, it was indicated,
will urge the Commissioners to re-
quire that all superior and COM
manding officers take full respon-
sibility for orders they issue. Testi-
mony had been given the Subcom-
mittee that some commanding Of
flcers issued orders in vague" Ian
guage so as to avoid responsibility
in event they were not carried out
satisfactorily.
Other Recommendations.
Other additional recommendations
will urge that the courts reduce con-
tinuances in cases in order to eXpe-
dite trials and that the Police Boys
Clubs, founded by Maj. Brown, be
continued as means OF combating
juvenile delinquency.
The investigating committee
named the Detective Bureau as the
weakest link in the department,
but was understood not to have
written into its report any recon-
mendation as TO Who should be de-
tective chief in the projected re-
organization.
Capt. Keck, who long has been
assistant chief of detectives and
now is acting chief, was not blamed
for the past conditions, and his tes-
timony before the House inveSti-
gators was said to have been favor
ably received at the District Build
ing.
The Commissioners are said to
have a high regard for Capt. Trus-
colt and the others found TO have
excellent records. One high Dis
trict official said, however, Capt.
Truscott probably would be more
valuable as an ace detective than
as administrative officer in charge
OF the bureau,
Promotion of Capt KecK to full
rank of captain has been approved
by the Civil Service Commission
and the proposal now awaits action
by the city heads. He now is a
lieutenant with rating as acting
captain.
Schultz Plans to See MahOn.
Meanwhile, Chairman Schultz OF
the investigation subcommittee
planned to seek a conference with
Chairman Mahon of the House sub
committee in charge of the District
appropriation bill to urge that steps
be taken without delay to provide
funds for the appointment of so
CSee KECK, Page B-2)