Evening star., 1951-11-11
'Donohue Urges
Barrett 10 Reply
To Police Quiz
Discipline to Follow
Failure to Comply, He
Warns in Broadcast
By Miriom Ottenbero

Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue last night broadcast a personal
appeal to Police Chief Robert j.
Barrett to set an example for his
men by answering the controver-
sial financial QUESTIONABLE.
At the same time, Commissioner
Donohue fatty warned that failure
of Maj. Barrett or any other po-
licemen to send in the question:
naire "of necessity must result in
disciplinary action for willfully
disobeying an official order"
Even before the combined ap-
peal and warning, it was becoming
apparent that last weeks police
revolt against the QUESTIONABLE
was fading out below the rank of
superintendent.
Some Questionnaires Filled Out.
Arnold Bauman, counsel of the
Senate District crime subcommit-
tee and author of the disputed
QUESTIONABLE, said some of the
questionnaires already had been
received by his Office. He expressed
confidence that the majority of
the policemen who received the
first batch sent out will turn them
in by the Tuesday deadline.
A number of ranking police off,
cials, including Inspector Clarence
H. Lutz. head of the Policemen's
Association. disclosed yesterday
they are answering the question:
naire.
A policeman who also is a no.
tary public said he had notarized
approximately 25 of the lengthy
forms in the past few days. 1t was
revealed earlier at the District
Building that approximately so of
the questionnaires were circu-
lated in the first group. Mr.. Bau-
man has said that ultimately $50
policemen will get the question:
naires.
Public Hearings in Prospect.
In another development, pros
poets were growing for public
hearings by the Senate District
crime subcommittee in December.
A subcommittee member, Sem
ator Welker, Republican. of Idaho
told The Star from Idaho yester-
day that its better to have a
hearing or abandon the thing en-
tireiy." ss
Il can't see much difference ;,e-
tween this questionnaire and Ges-
tapo methods, remarked Sena-
tor Welker. who last week called
the questionnaire "witchhant."
Chairman Neely, reached in
West Virginia. refused to com-
ment on the demand for a hear
ing. He said he would return to
Washington in two or three weeks,
however. Another member, Sena-
tor Butler, Republican, of Mary
land will return from Europe De-
cember and Senator Welker said
ne would be here in 10 days.
Predicts Compliance.
Commissioner Donohue, in
broadcast interview over Station
WWDC. predicted that only an
enthusiastically small" number of
policeman will fail to return the
questionnaires.
/ When reporter raised the oues-
tion of Mai. Barrett's possible dis
pleasure with policemen who
signed the questionnaires. Com
missioner Donohue promptly prom
ised them protection by the Com
missioners.
mo one is going to be hurt by
complying" he added.
Mr.. Donohue preceded his di-
rect appeal to Maj. Barrett by
praising his record and expressing
faith in his integrity.
Share Belief in Honesty.
II share his belief in his own
honesty and in that of the great
majority of the men of his COM
mand," he went on. Il believe that
he Is as anxious as I am to prove
that the many charges and in
nuendoes directed against the de-
partment are false.
Il urge him-you, Bob Barrett
to take the opportunity now.
personally. to bring this inquiry
to speedy conclusion by publicly
announcing your own intention
of signing the questionnaire and
by so doing. set the example for
your men to follow"
Reached at home after the
broadcast, Maj. Barrett said he
was sick in bed and had not heard
| it. He said he would find out
about it from his lawyers. Asked
If he would sign the QUESTIONABLE
in the light of the Commissioners
appeal, he said. mo comment"
Austin Garfield. one of Mai.
Barrett's attorneys, said the law
Iyers had not yet decided whether
to advise Maj. Barrett to answer
the QUESTIONABLE. He also raised
(see POLICE. Page A-60