Evening star., 1951-11-24
MurrayP Plans
MorePreciinct
Visits Mondav
Will Be Sworn In
On Friday; Barrett
Leaves Hospital

VII iIuuys OuITSCt
Leaves Hospital
Acting Police Chief Robert vi
Murray was to continue his "getl
acquainted" tour Of the precincts
Monday as plans were advanced
to provide him with a new assis-
tant superintendent.
Meanwhile. former Police Chief
Robert ]. Barrett was released
from Emergency Hospital after
II days of treatment and diagnosis
OF ailments which brought about
his retirement for physical dis
ability.
The former chief of detectives.
who will be sworn in as major and
superintendent of police next Fri
day, has begun a precinct-by-
precinct tour to get better ac-
ouainted with members of the
uniformed force. He has served
In plain clothes for 10 years.
Storm May Retire Friday.
Action by the Police and Fire
Retirement Board yesterday after,
noon probably will result in the
retirement of Inspector Walter T.
Storm as assistant superintendent
on next Friday. November 80, in
stead of December 81. as originally
/. planned.
Inspector Storm. who has been
on sick leave since October Is.
was expected to be retired for
physical disability. The board is
submitting its recommendation
to the District Commissioners and
did not announce its decisions.
1t seemed probable. however,
that the board would follow the
recent findings of the Board of
Police and Fire Surgeons that
Inspector Storm be retired be-
cause of disablement from high
blood pressure and a heart con-
dition.
Covell Goes Along.
Formal approval by the Com
missioners would enable Chief
Murray to take Office along with
his newly-chosen assistant in the
departments No. 2 job, Inspector
Howard v. Covell.
Inspector Covell yesterday ac-
companied Chief Murray on Wis
) its to No. l and No. 2 precincts.
The new superintendent told
the men he does not want them
to feel he is a stranger because
his last assignment was with the
detective bureau.
Chief Murray declared the uni
formed force is the first line of
defense" in the successful dis
charge Of the departments duties.
Despite talk of low morale in the
wake of recent changes. the speak
er said. he is personally convinced
that Washington has one of the
finest forces in the country.
Aid Pledged to Probers.
If anything is wrong, however,
now is the time to correct it.
Chief Murray said. The men
were aware of the fact that the
superintendent has pledged his
cooperation with the Senate Dis
trict Crime Investigating Sub
committee.
The chief told the uniformed
men to "go out and do your job
without fear or favor, and I'll back
you 100 per cent.
II want you to keep in mind
that you must cooperate with the
citizens and be courteous to them.
You must hold their respect and
confidence"
The top executive plans to visit
all precincts within the next few
days, Chief Murray told newsmen.
The first visits were timed at
roll call to meet men of incoming
and outgoing shifts. Chief Muir
ray and Inspector Covell met the
men individually as they left the
roll calls, shaking hands and ex-
changing greetings.
More Retirements Rumored.
Rumors continued at headquar-
ters that additional retirements of /
senior officers will follow. These
could not be confirmed through |
the individuals mentioned, how
ever. although several officials are
approaching retirement age. or
have physical ailments which may
soon terminate their active duty
Maj. Barrett's retirement on
half pay becomes effective next
Friday. Mrs. Barrett told report
ers her husband was feeling weak
when he left the hospital, and his
physicians ordered him to remain
in bed for some time and rest.
Changes in the Police Depart
ment will be discussed tonight
by Commissioner F. Joseph DON
ohue in his weekly Report to the
People" broadcast over Radio
Station WWDC at 7 pm.
After a flve-minute talk, the
Commissioner will be questioned
for 10 minutes by reporters who
have been covering recent de-