Evening star., 1950-03-24
Senators Defer
on DC.
SubversiveCurb
Session Scheduled
For Today Cancelled
By Subcommittee
By Don 5. Warren

A move to strengthen control
over subversive activities in the
National Capital was to be con-
sidered later at a closed meeting
of the District subcommittee of
the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee. The meeting originally
was scheduled for today but was
later cancelled
There was no official word of
the subject of the first closed
door hearing held yesterday,
All witnesses, committee men,
bers and their clerks were sworn
to secrecy. But it seemed appar-
ent that control of Red" activi-
ties here was the general subject.
While officials consistently re-
fused to talk there was some indi-
rect continuation. This was based
partly on the character and as
signment of subpoenaed wit
nesSeS.
Wherry's Request.
1t was apparent also that the
special executive hearings had
been scheduled at the request of
Senate Minority Leader Wherry,
who is member of the Senate
subcommittee handling the Dis
trict's 1851 supply bill.
Last Friday. near the close Of
the open, routine hearings on the
District bill, Senator Wherry made
sudden request for consideration
of a subject which he declined to
identify. He told reporters then
he had IAN intense interest" in an
item in the pending District
budget but could say nothing about
it until the facts had been
checked"
At that time, Senator Hill, Dem
ocrat. of Alabama, subcommittee
chairman, said the hearings, about
to be closed, would be kept open
for inclusion of the subject Sen
ator Wherry wanted to raise. The
subject still was not revealed.
Police Officials Summoned.
The pieces began to fit together
late yesterday when two police
officials, answering official sub
poenas, were closeted for several
hours with the Hill Subcommit-
tee-behind locked doors.
They were Detective Sergt.
James K. Hunter. now in charge
Of the Police Departments SUBJ
versives Squad, and 1t. Roy Blick.
in charge Of the Vice Squad.
Both appeared under subpoenas.
Neither would say why, except
that, under reporters questions, it
was developed that these officers.
instead of being investigated.
were being asked for information.
Police Supt. Robert J. Barrett
refused to comment on the reason
for the appearance of 1t. Blick
and Sergt. Hunter before the sub
committee.
Subpoenas were served on them
directly instead of by the usual
channel through the police chiefs
Office, it was learned.
File Called Complete.
Speculation at headquarters was
that the appropriations group is
considering the possibility of en-
larging the Police Department
facilities for investigating sub
versive activities here.
Another possibility was that the
Senators are seeking information
on Communist activity here con-
tanned in the files of the special
police squad. This information
was said to be as complete as any
comparable file in the East.
That some kind of an investi-
CATION was being conducted be-
came apparent when reporters
spotted an official stenographer
coming out of the hearing room.
A transcript of testimony was be-
ing made.
Senator Wherry, like other
members of the Senate group,
said he could make no statement.
Il can't tell you anything now"
he said, land I don't know If I
will be in a position to say any
more later.
II don't think this (subject) is
going to affect the District Ap-
preparation bill"
Others Dodge Questions.
Chairman Hill and other men,
bers of the District subcommittee
shook off all reporters questions
about the session yesterday.
Senator Hunt. Democratic, Of
Wyoming, departed from this only
to announce plans for the session
originally set for today.
In the pending District budget
for the fiscal year beginning July
/, there are requests for funds
for the hire of Al additional en-
ployes of the Police Department.
All of these would be officers ex-
cept for several clerical workers,
most of whom would relieve uni
formed men of clerical work.
A still larger increase in the
police force had been requested
last fall by the Police Department,
but this was shaved down by the
Commissioners in consideration of
the revenues expected to be avail
able in the 1851 fiscal year.
The department had asked for
an outlay of $7,815,000 for all
police services. The city heads
sliced 100000 off this total, as
they made corresponding cuts in
requests of other District division
spending plans.