Evening star., 1950-06-02
Richitt
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added. they may feel the charges
should be dropped.
Maj. Barrett pointed out that
at least four of his inspectors
were involved one way or another
in the Richitt affair and he want
ed their opinion.
willing to Listen"
Emphasizing that he doesn't
want to upset police morale, Maj.
Barrett declared:
II don't want blood and I don't
have any prejudice. I'm willing
to listen to the advice of others" "
Asked what type of trial board
would be convened if Capt. Rich
lit should be tried, Maj. Barrett
said it would be the usual police
board. He said he had enough
officers not involved to give Capt.
Richitt an impartial trial.
Maj. Barrett said he still hasn't t
seen the Maher report although
he now knows the gist of it. The
District Building, he said, asked
him If he wanted the report
rushed to him by special messen-
ger but he vetoed that in favor of
routine delivery.
Morale Held Higher.
With f1ve-day week legislation
for policemen passed by the House
and pending before the Senate
District Committee, morale in the
department is considered higher
now than at any point since Maj
Barrett took over it's helm, he said.
This obviously Will be considered
seriously by the police officials in
deciding whether charges will be
pressed against the eighth precinct
captain and the two other officers,
Pvt. Ernest M. Reid of No. 3pre-
cinct and Sergt. Arthur B. Germ
hofer. transferred last month from
the third to the seventh precinct
Meanwhile, Maj. Barrett said he
was grateful that the Commis-
sioners released their report from
Mr.. Maher and for "the way I
came out"
Concur in Report.
The city heads whole heart
edly' concurred in Mr.. Maher's
finding that there was no evidence
to support charges made against
Maj. Barrett and Inspector John
R. JefferieS by Capt. Richitt before
a congressional subcommittee in
vestigating crime in the District
last March.
The House District subcommit-
tee closed its book on the matter,
after a two-day hearing precipi-
tated by Capt. Richitt's transfer
from the third CWhite House) pre-
cinct to the eighth. The captain
blamed the transfer on the fact
he had given information secretly
to the subcommittee.
This information included the
charge that Emmitt Warning, re-
puted gambler, had referred to
Mai. Barrett as "the boss" Capt.
Richitt also said that he was
ordered by Inspector Jefferies to
turn in false report on a gam
bling complaint.
Record Alteration Charged.
Mr.. Maher charged Pvt. Reid
with altering patrol signal sys-
tenn book "for the purpose of
lending support to perjurious
testimony"
Sergt. Gernhofer was accused by
Mr.. Maher of making a false state
ment in connection with his duties
and conduct unbecoming an officer
in that he falsely charged a fell
low officer with violating provi-
sions of the police manual.
Representative Davis, Democrat,
of Georgia. chairman of the House
subcommittee said he had not
seen Mr.. Makers report but ex-
pected it would be submitted to
the committee 'in due time" I'm.
til then, he said, he did not care
to comment on the police con-
troversy.
Both Capt. Richitt and his at
torney, Robert Lynch, said last
night they had not seen Mr..
Makers recommendations. Capt.
who is on annual leave
until Monday. was at Annapolis,
where the Naval Academy June
Week events are in progress. The
police captains son, Donald, is in
his second year at the Academy.
The Commissioners announced
yesterday they felt the Maher re-
port embraced disciplinary mat
ters for administrative adjustment
by Maj. Barrett. They referred