Evening star., 1951-10-07
Board
To Probe Acts
0fSafety Head
Derogotory Reports
On tombstone Are
Cited by Dugun

AAo ASSOAA, PocV oA1O PlC0CIlIS
is to be reviewed at the request
of Board Member Daniel A. Du-
gan. Mr.. Dugan said he has
heard extremely derogatory" re-
ports on Mr.. Johnstone.
Mr.. Dugan submitted articles
from the Raleigh IN. c. News
and Observer which told of Mr..
Johnstone leaving a safety di-
rectorship in that city to accept
a similar post in Arlington last
May l. One headline read:
Safety Director Under Fire
Here Lands Position in Virginia"
Mr.. Dugan said Raleigh officials
never denied published reports
that an inventory failed to account
for all equipment bought through
Mr.. Johnstone's Office particu-
larly Photographic equipment.
Denies Dugan Charges.
Mr.. Johnstone denied this, how
ever, to reporters who met with
him later in the day to discuss
remarks made at the board meet
ing.
The 44-year-old former Virginia
State police officer exhibited a
news release from City Manager
w. H. Carper of Raleigh. It de-
clares that Mr.. Johnstone ac-
counted for all equipment and
supplies assigned to his Office. 1t
was dated April %, 1951-the
same date of the news story OF
his resignation.
The newspaper clippings SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. Dugan said Mr..
Johnstone became the center of
several controversies" shortly after
being appointed to the safety post
in February, 1850. It was re-
ported that he was restrained
from making arrests and carrying
a weapon by ruling of the North
Carolina attorney generals Office.
Tells of Reports.
4!1r. Dugan said he has received
the following reports of Mr.. John-
stones activities since he was ap-
pointed to the newly-created po-
siticn of safety director:
J. That on July Fairfax
policeman was directed to meet
MIR. Johnstone at the Arlington
Fairfax line on Shirley highway.
Mr.. Johnstone told the policeman
to arrest a Marine whom he said
he had followed from Lorton at
speeds ranging up to IS miles per
hour. The Fairfax policeman re-
fused since he had not witnessed
the offense and Mr.. Joknstone
then Swore out a warrant Tor the
Marine who forfeited Sj5 collat-
eral on a speeding charge.
Mr.. Johnstone told reporters he
did not force the Marine to the
curb but had radioed Arlington
police to set up a road-b;ock in
side the county line to stop "a fast
one" The Marine apparently be-
came suspicious of the unmarked
radio car and stopped voluntarily
while still in Fairfax, Mr.. john
stone said.
Used Cruiser for Trip.
2. Mr.. Dugan said Mr.. john
stone had used the same unmarked
police cruiser to attend a three
day convention in Roanoke.
Mr.. Johnstone admitted this. He
said the cruiser is not regularly
used for road patrol but is as
signed to him for official use. His
attendance at the convention OF
State police chiefs was an official
use, he said.
3. Mr.. Dugan said an Arlington
Ipoliceman's salary increase-au-
lthorized by the County Board
was held up by Mr.. Johnstone.
Mr.. Johnstone said the increase
was provided for on the basis of
merit. When the policeman's ef-
Ificiency report was submitted it
was unsatisfactory and the pay
increase was held up until the de-
|ficiencies were corrected by the
policeman.
Says Police Morale Is Low.
The morale of the police depart
ment has descended since the ap-
pointment of Mr.. JohnStone, said
Mr.. Dugan.
F. Freeland Chew said he also
was aware that department mo-
rale was low.
II do not personally approve Of
a directive given by Johnstone to
make one arrest a day. do not
condone an unmarked car" said
Mr.. Chew.
He said Mr.. Johnstone was
stretching things too far" by or
dering arrest of all persons for
speeding if they exceeded the
limit by five miles per hour.
Il am further of the opinion
that the time is just about here
when a chief of police from our
local force should be appoint% -
and the privileges of operating the
police department left to him."
Mr.. Chew declared.
No Permanent Chief.
The safety director is the ad-
ninistrative head over both the
Police and Fire Departments. A
permanent police chief, who would
serve under Mr.. Johnstone, has
lot been appointed since the re-
;irement of Chief Harry Wood
Yard last Spring.
County Manager Lundberg said
Every question raised by the board
members would be checked, and
lie expected to report at the next
BOARD meeting.
Several policemen were present
Turing the attack on Mr.. john
tone.
Chief Forest Warden Named
.T0cnnh . Koo,oa. s