Evening star., 1951-10-30
Grand Jury Question:
Barrett at Length;
Captain Is Rebuked
Prosecutor Upbroids
Loyton for Incomplete
Report on Gomblino

Police Chief Robert J. Barrett
underwent prolonged questioning
today by the District grand jury
investigating organized gambling
as a prosecutor openly expressed
dissatisfaction with report SUBJ
mitted by police on gambling con-
ditions here.
Assistant United States Attorney
Alfred Hartman emerged from the
grand jury room to rebuke Police
Capt. John Layton. head of the
pawn squad, for the inadequacy
of the report which had been Or
dered several months ago by Mai.
Barrett and assigned to the cap
tain.
Within earshot of newspaper
men, Mr.. Hartman warmly told
Capt. Layton that while Il am
not accusing any one in the Po-
lice Department of shirking his
duty" he considered the report
only about one-tenth completed.
He said it contained no specific
information on the names or ad-
dresses of suspected gambling
places. no automobile license
numbers and no telephone num-
berS.
Captain to Be Called.
Capt. Layton. who also has been
standing a watch outside the
grand jury room ever since the
inquiry got under way in August,
said the report had been discussed
with high police officials and it
was determined that if the police
report went into too much detail
they might flush the quarry"
When Capt. Layton told Mr.
Hartman he knew the specific in
formation desired, the prosecutor
said the officer would be called as
a grand jury witness.
IF you know these things, that's
fine and dandy" said Mr.. Hant-
man. IF you don't, just say you
don't and that's all right"
Although the chief prosecutor
Assistant United States Attorney
John W. Fihelly, had described
this weeks proceedings as routine,
Maj. Barrett remained closeted
with the jury for the entire MORN
ing session.
County Policeman Suspended.
In Prince Georges County,
meanwhile, Police Chief F. Allen
Richards announced that he had
suspended Pvt. Carl Keech, one
of the witnesses last week before
a county grand jury investigating
the gambling situation.
Chief Richards said Pvt. Keech
was relieved of duty for conduct
unbecoming an officer" then ex-
planned the action was based on
the complaint of a Patuxent River
tavern owner.
According to Chief Richards,
Pvt. Keech was accused of offer
ing to see to it that slot machines
could be operated in the tavern
without fear of the law. All slot
n'ere outlawed in Prince
George on September l. The COM
plainant was named as Wordy
Savoy, colored, who owns a tavern
at Cedar Haven.
Hearing Set for November l3,
\ Chief Richards said Pvt. KeechI
will be given a hearing before the
County Commissioners on Novem-
Der 13. A member of the depart
ment for five years, he has been
stationed at Upper Marlboro.
Maj. Barrett told reporters heI
did not know why he was recalled
as a witness and that if he did he
would not divulge the reasons.
I'm not answering any ques-
tions." he stated firmly.
The grand jury already has in
aicted two of Mai. Barrett's bet
Ser-known policemen and one
former member of the depart
ment. These are Inspector Albert
I. Bullock. Sergt. Robert G. Kirby
of the homicide squad and James
3. Lowry. a former policeman. All
were charged with conspiracy to
violate the gambling laws