Evening star., 1946-02-24
Long, Explosive
Hearing in Gill
Case Indicated
Investigators Weigh
Defense Plea to
Drop One Charge
By julio Edwords

repeated oDJectlonS gave lndica tior
yesterday that the hearing involv.
ing Howard B. Gill, suspended
superintendent of penal institutions
will be long and explosive.
Tempers fared frequently during
examination of charges Mr.. Gill
failed to obey instructions to report
November 80 on the November "a
escape OF five prisoners from the
District Jail and to stay away from
hearings of board investigating
the jailbreak.
appearing to support their case
Tor removal of Mr.. Gill, two mem
oers OF the Board of Public Welfare
were questioned for three and a
nall hours before board of INQUIRY
ADJOURNED the hearing to 9 am
tuesday with plea for more
progress"
Il thought 7 was making prog
ress." remarked Defense Attorney
John j. Wilson, who had spent most
OF the time firing questions at Edgar
Morrls, chairman of the Welfare
Board, and A. Harding Paul, a
member. He drew a laugh.
Ask Dropping One Charge.
The Board of Inquiry took under
AMUSEMENT defense motion to
eliminate the charge that Mr.. Gill
tailed to report as ordered on the
ground the instructions were given
by the institutions committee of
the board and not by the Welfare
Board as stated in the written
charge.
Mr.. Morris testified the Institu-
ton Committee instructed Mr.. Gill
November 26 to report on the ESCAPES
by November 30 and to absent him
self from hearings of the groups
investigating them. On November
%, the Institutions Committee told
Mr.. Gill to submit his report in
writing, he added. On November
80, Mr.. Gill submitted report on
structural defects at the Jail. but
failed to submit the report on the
escapes, Mr.. Morris declared.
Under cross-examination, he said
that Mr.. Gill told the board he
could not submit the report until
the jail break inquiry was COM
pleted, but did answer the uues-
tions asked him. He also agreed
that Mr.. Gill told the Institutions
Committee what he knew about the
escapes at the meetings on Novem-
Der 26 and November %.
Isn't it fact that Mr.. Gill also
submitted a written report to you
on December ~" Mr.. Morris asked.
Didn't Have Report.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Chester H. Gray, representing the
Welfare Board, objected that no
such report had been mentioned in
direct examination. The Board of
Inquiry over-ruled him on the
grounds that it might show the good
faith of the defendant.
Mr.. Wilson then demanded the
corporation counsel produce the
report, but Mr.. Gray said he did
not have it.
L am utterly surprised that this
report is not here" Mr.. Wilson COM
mented.
When Walter M. Bastian, chair
man of the Board of Inquiry, sug-
gested the attorneys get together
and bring all necessary documents
to the next session, Mr.. Wilson called
for all minutes of the Board of Pub
lie Welfare since 1887, all minutes
of its Institutions Committee. all
documents submitted by Mr.. Gill to
the board and all memos from the
board to Mr. Gill.
Now he is being utterly unreas-
onable," Mr.. Gray shouted.
Mr.. Morris said he was unable to
Identify a report shown him by Mr..
Wilson as the report filed with the
Welfare Board.
Il received a report. I don't re-
member when it came to my atten-
tion," Mr.. Morris said.
WAS the report satisfactory?" Mr.
Wilson asked.
Il said I received a report. I don't
know what report you are talking
about" Mr.. Morris replied.
The report you are talking
about" MIR. Wilson yelled.
Report Not Satisfactory"
"The Institutions Committee de-
cided it was not satisfactory. I don't
recall the date Mr.. Morris an
swered. o
Mr.. Gray explained that he in
tended to bring up the report in
questioning witness who knows
more about it.
Don't tell me Mr.. Morris doesn't
know about it" the defense attorney
retorted, while the chairman raped
for order.
Another controversy arose when
Mr.. Wilson asked if the alleged in
of Mr. Gill ever had
been discussed by the Board of We'll
fare prior to the escapes.
Must answer that?" Mr.. Morris
queriec
The defense attorney contended
he had right to ask the question
to ascertain whether a charge that
Mr.. Gill lowered morale among the
custodial staff at the Jail antedated
the jailbreaks and whether Mr.. Nor
ris bore any personal animosity to
the defendant.
Mr.. Gray pointed out that the
witness already had said he thought
Mr.. Gill was "a fine fellow"
yes, and I said he was damning
him with faint praise" said Mr.. VIII
son. !
1--WE heard your comments. You
made them loud enough Mr.. GRAY
said shortly.
Question Not Permitted.
The Board of Inquiry sustained an
objection to the question on the
ground 1t was beyond the scope of
the direct examination and pointed
out to the defense attorney he could |
recall Mr.. Morris to the stand as his
own witness.
In reference to the instructions
given Mr.. Gill to stay away from the
hearings Of the group investigating
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