Evening star., 1948-05-05
Barrett Offers
FayPo|iceAid
Probe
Comment Withheld
By U. S. Attorney
After Proposal
By Chris Mothisen

BY Chris Mothisen
United States Attorney George
Morris Fay, who expressed con-
Germ recently about the under
manned investigative staff of his
office, today could have for the
asking, on two hours notice, as
many police investigators as he
might need-for a limited pur-
pose.
Police Supt. Robert j. Barrett
offered the assistance yesterday in
connection with the study of the
Washington gambling industry
which will be made by a special
grand jury to be impaneled May IT,
Withholding comment on the
proposal, Mr. Fay said he had not
had time to study Maj. Barrett S
proffer Of a special police detail or
his request that he be permitted to
testify before the grand jury.
Recalls Dwindling Staff.
A month ago, Mr.. Fay asked Mai
Barrett for at least two additions
to the permanent detail in his Office.
He was assigned one new man and
was promised further study of the
problem by the superintendent.
At that time, Mr.. Fay recalled the
investigative staff once had con-
sisted of 1t. Joseph w. Shimon and
six other policement but had dwin-
died over a period of years to 1t.
Shimon and Pvts. John H. McHale
and Milan G. Dooley.
He explained that, although the
established complement and the
work load justified a larger increase,
he was seeking the minimum of two
additional investigators because of
the shortage of office space
Mai Barrett assigned Pvt. Thomas
Herlhy to Mr. Fay's Office.
Pvt. Duley subsequently left for
two weeks military training leave,
but since has returned.
No Provision for Force.
There is no provision in law for
a standing inveStigative force for
the United States attorney here
The present arrangement for con-
tinuing detail of policemen dates
from an agreement arrived at in
September, 1910, among United
States Attorney Edward M. Curran,
now Judge Of District Court, the
then Supt. Ernest w. Brown and
Commissioner John Russell Young.
AS explained by Mr.. Curran at
that time. the function of the new
division would be to investigate,
anaIyze and report on complaints. .
He said complaints from the pub
lie could be handled conf1dentially
by the division thereby inviting re-
ports by persons unwilling to make
public record by approaching
police.
Further, he said 1t would serve
"the very important function of
checking on complaints and fur
nishing a safeguard to prevent citi-
zens from being charged with crime
in doubtful cases without a full and
careful investigation"
Agreement Provisions.
The agreement provided for
lieutenant and six privates. De-
tective Sergt Shimon was placed
in charge of the detail as an acting
lieutenant
The investigators were authorized
to work AS plain clothesmen.
1t Shimon remained in the as
signment through the years, but
there were changes in the detail.
For one reason or another, the men
who left it were not always re-
placed.
Last October, 1t. Shimon ap-
peared in uniform for the first time
in a number of years when he was
given additional duties by Maj.
Barrett.
It. Earl P Hartman was trans
fcrred from the post of police liai-
son officer at Municipal Court to
a night inspector assignment. 1t.
Shimon was directed to take over
1t Hartman's court tasks in addi-
ton to his work for The United
States attorney.
This entailed the day-to-day
checkup on policemen appearing in
court to assure their presence when
needed and their return to regular
duty on completion of their testi-
mony.
Hartman on Precinct Duty.
When Ut Hartman finished his
night inspector tour. he was as
signed to precinct duty and did not
return to the court work.
Mr.. Fay has not indicated the
extent. if any, to which 1t. Shimon
and his assistants will participate
in the gambling investigation.
1t has been understood the gam
bling data which has come to the
United States attorneys Office was
to be sitted by Mr.. Fay and As
slstant United States ATTORNEYS
John w. Fiheuy and Charles B.
Murray for presentation to the
grand jury.
4. The idea of providing the United
States attorney here with investi-
gators arose from the circumstances
which, by the nature of the District,
found him handling cases which
elsewhere would be in the province
of a States attorney or district at
torney, rather than that OF a Fed
eral prosecutor
If suggestions Of possible police
involvement in gambling activities
crop up during the current investi-
cation, the prospect of policemen
being called on to investigate other
pcllcemen would opportunities an