Evening star., 1948-05-05
Barrett Offers
|nGdnningPro
Comment Withheld
By U. 5. Attorney
After Proposal
By Chris Mothisen

py SUIS mOrHiSeH
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. Barretts 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.
Maj. Barrett assigned Pvt. Thomas
Herlihy 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 a con-
tinuing detail of policemen dates
from an agreement arrived at in
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,
analyze and report on complaints"
He said complaints from the pub
lie could be handled confidentially
by the division, thereby inviting re-
ports by persons unwilling to make
a 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 full and
careful investlgtion.'
Agreement Provisions.
The agreement provided for a
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.
1t. Earl P. Hartman was trans
ferred 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-
tion to his work for the United
States attorney
This entailed the day-to-day
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 1t. Hartman finished his
night inspector tour. he was as
signed to precinct duty ana did not
return to the court work.
Mr.. Fay has not indicated the
extent. Iif 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 Sifted by Mr.. Fay and AS
siStant United States Attorneys
John w. Fihelly and Charles B.
Murray for presentation to the
grand jury.
Inc ldea 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
If a States attorney or district at
torney, rather than that of 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