Evening star., 1951-04-18
Fay Sees Need
For Special Staff
OF investigators
Twilight Zone Cited
As Reason for Move;
Barrett Still Opposed

United States Attorney George
Morris Fay said today he could
see no reason for friction between
a staff Of investigators proposed
for his Office and the police de-
partment.
Mr. Fay appeared before the
House District Committee which
was considering the omnibus
crime bill designed to tighten law
enforcement in the Capital.
Despite Mr.. Fay's assertion.
Police Supt. Robert j. Barrett.
who attended the hearing, told
reporters he still is opposed to
the investigating staff. He said
he still felt such a staff would
be a super police department"
and that Washington has more
police departments than any other
place in the country He men,
toned the park police. White
House police and terminal police.
Cites Checks and Balances.
Mr.. Fay has said that unlike
other Jurisdictions there are no
checks and balances in law en-
forcement in Washington. He said
that. in New York City if en-
forcement officers do not move
against an area of crime viola
tions there is recourse to the
Attorney General of the State.
He said that in Washington
there is a twilight zone where
Federal authorities decline to take
part in a case because they feel
it is a violation of the District
code and the Police Department
holds back because it would in
volve going across the District line
into another jurisdiction.
He cited this as another reason
why a staff of investigators in
his office would be valuable. He
also said that the staff would
work primarily before arrests
where an apparent law violation
involves technicalities. The mem
bers OF the staff; he added, would
do the foot work for his assistant
attorneys.
Promises No Interference.
Mr.. Fay said there would be no
interference with the police "on
my side" and he could see no rea-
son why there should be on the
side of the Police Department.
The proposal before the COM
mittee is to hire chief investiga-
tor and four assistants at cost
which Mr.. Fay put at about
$51 900 a year. He said these in
vestlgators should be trained ac-
countantS or lawyers. He said
that their aid would assure good
preparation of cases necessary not
only for prosecutions but also to
protect the innocent.
He insisted that they would not
cut out the Police Department
and that major investigations
would be done by that depart
ment.
When Mr.. Fay ended his testi-
mony, Maj. Barrett rose from
his place in the audience and
said that the way the plans for
the investigating staff had been
explained before had caused all
the arguments"
Explains Opposition.
He added that it was indicated
the new staff would investigate
murders, rapes, robberies and such
things. land that is the reason
1 took exception"
He added that the amount Of
crime in the District had been
brought out, but not the Clear
ances." referring to cases solved
IN which respect the department
has a good record.
Chairman Davis of the subcom-
mittee which brought in the meas
ure said that the ability of the
Police Department had not been
questioned and that Mai. Barrett
had got the wrong impression.
Maj. Barrett said: II. have no
objections to the five investiga-
tors and want nothing to do with
them. Mr.. Fay should be in
charge of them"
Later. however. he told a re-
porter he still regards such a staff
as super police.