Evening star., 1951-11-13
Maj. Barrett Agrees
To Answer Proper
Questions Of Quiz
Continued From First Page. }

tC bar the Commissioners tenn.
porarily from carrying out theil
directive to police to answer ths
QUESTIONABLE.
Many Queries Called Irrelevant.
Judge Kirkland said he dis.
solved the restraining order be-
cause he lacked jurisdiction al
this time. In the same opinion
however, he questioned whether
the Commissioners had the au-
thority to issue their order to po-
lice and he termed many of the
questions in the QUESTIONABLE ir-
relevant and immaterial.
After mentioning the court ac-
ton. Maj. Barrett went on:
However, and forgetting that
part of my disagreement with my
superiors. I am impressed with the
fact that there may be some peo-
pie in the District who might pos
Sibly harbor some suspicion that
am involved in some sort of cor
ruption or that I am attempting
to hide behind the protection of a
court order in order to avoid facing
an inquiry into my financial and
private affairs, thereby lending
credence to their suspicious"
Reiterates Pledge.
Maj. Barrett wrote the Commits
Sioners that he did not intend to
be insubordinate and reiterated
his pledge to answer questions
when called before the crime COM
mittee at its public hearings.
Maj. Barrett went into Emer-
gency Hospital last night for OBJ
Servation and tests, starting today.
Maj. Barrett's trip to the hos
pital gave some credence to re-
peated rumors that he is plan
ming to retire soon for physical
disability. Early last month, he
vigorously denied such rumors and
said he was feeling fine. Retire.
ment on physical grounds would
have to be recommended by the
Board of Police and Fire Surgeons.
1t was a member of this board
who arranged for the majors hos
pitalization.
Writ Hearing Opens.
In another angle of the police
QUESTIONABLE controversy, Judge
Kirkland held hearing on sus-
pended Pvt. Ray SWank's in
junction suit to prevent the Po-
icemen's Association from using
Its funds to finance the legal fight
against the questionnaire
The hearing was adjourned As
minutes after it got started to let
the Barrett attorneys go to the
District Building to meet with the
Commissioners. It was to resume
at las pm. Attorney James j.
Laughlin. representing Pvt. Swank.
announced Mr.. Bauman would be
one of the afternoon witnesses
along with officials of the Police
mems Association.
Inspector Clarence LutZ, presi-
dent of the association. called as
a witness by Mr.. Laughlin, testi-
fled that Pvt. Swank has failed
to pay his dues for three months
and is not in good standing to
vote.
Tells of Visiting Bauman.
Inspector Lutz testified that be-
fore notices were sent out for the
November 2 meeting at which the
association voted to pay the legal
bills. the inspector visited Mr..
Bauman to ask if it were true
that 1900 questionnaires were
going out to policemen. He said
Mr.. Bauman refused to answer.
Mr.. Bauman has since revealed
only $50 questionnaires would be
issued.
When Mr.. Laughlin, referring to-
Inspector Lutz, said he wasn't act
ing in good faith, Judge Kirkland
interjected:
who do you mean wasn't act
ing in good faith? Mr.. Bauman?"
Inspector Lutz also testified
that when he visited Mr.. Bauman
he had stenographer with him
take notes on the conversation,
but Mr.. Bauman said there would
be no stenographic report.
Writ Hearing on Today.
Just before the court hearing
started the Barrett attorneys filed
answers for Mai. Barrett and In
spector Lutz. The Lutz answer
said the association meeting
at which the funds were voted
was called at the demand
of more than a substantial
majority of the membership be-
cause grave constitutional ques-
tions involving the membership"
were involved. Maj. Barrett's
answer denied emphatically that
the meeting was called because of
any pressure from him.
Earlier, DIR. John A. Reed, chair
man of the Board of Police and
Fire Surgeons, said he would visit
Maj. Barrett today or tomorrow
and might have several other doc
tors examine him. He said Maj
Barrett's physician on the board
DR.. G. Louis Weller, jr., felt Maj
Barrett was i'll enough to warrant
hospital observation and tests.
II understand Maj. Barrett has
been complaining he hasn't been
well for over month";" DR.. Reed
added. From a psychological
standpoint, it is unfortunate to
go sick at this particular time. ]
don't know yet what's wrong with
him but DR.. Weller ordered him
off duty last week end"
Lawyer Issues Statement.
Mr.. Ford said DR.. Weller had
rot consulted with him about Maj
Barrett's disqualification and 81
have to rely on what the doctor
said" Mr.. Ford issued this state.
ment last night:
This morning Austin Canfiels
(another of Maj. Barrett's attor
neyS) and I had an appointment