davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-11-10
BRIG. GEN. BERNARD L.
ROBINSON,
Engineer Commissioner.

In my opinion the order as
issued was within the authority
of the Board of Commissioners
The board is now under no re-
straint from the court in the
issuance of such an order or the
enforcement of it. To my mind
there has been no violation of
that order by any members of
the police department to date.
The 10 days are not up yet.
/ also feel there is just one
major issue involved, and that is
plain honesty in government. The
people have a right to demand
it, and through their proper rep
resentatives to demand proof of it.
The Senate of the United States,
by resolution, directed one of its
committees to investigate crime in
the District of Columbia. A Senate
committee is the proper agency
to make such an investigation
when they feel there appear
to be grounds for it.
This board has been assured
there is no major hookup with
crime. We do feel this is the proper
occasion, and that the Senate
committee is the proper body to
make an investigation.
1t is not only in the interest OF
the people of the District, but
| it is also in the interest of the
police department that the ques-
tionnaires be answered so the de-
partment can free itself of any
taint of possibly unjust charges
or enable itself to get rid of any
rotten apples in the barrel if such
exist.
COMMISSIONER DONOHUE.
I joined with Gen. Robinson tt
deny the request for three reasons;
First, the corporation counsel
our legal adviser, advised me be-
fore the order was signed that il
Evening star., 1951-11-10

The Republic of 1ndonesia has
entered into a contract to pur-
chase the Walsh house, 2020
Massachusetts, avenue NV, and
will use it as its chancery here.
That was learned last night
from an Embassy official, who said
steps will be taken to improve
the property as soon as the trans
fer is completed. The contract of
sale was signed yesterday after
noon by IndoneSian Ambassador
Ali Sastroamidjojo. The price was
reported to be more than $500. 900.
The large mansion, a Washing
ton showplace in its early years,
was built by Thomas F. Walsh,
father of Evalyn Walsh Mclean.
1t has been occupied by the Wash
ington Chapter of the American
Red Cross for the last decade,
rent-free. The chapter used the
Evening star., 1951-11-10
French Troops Take
Key Wet Mini Town
BY the Associated Press

HANOI, Indo-C China, Nov. 10
French Union troops broke out of
their North Indo-China defense
perimeter today in their first
major offensive in 13 months and
drove southwest of Hanoi to seize
100 square miles from the Com
munist-led Wet Mini.
Gen. Jean de Lattre de Tassigny
told a news conference that
French paratroopers dropped this
morning southeast of Choben
principal town in the target area
80 miles southwest of Hanoi. A
later headquarters announcement
said Choben had been occupied by
paratroopers who met only feeble
resistance.
AS the paratroopers drove on
Choben, from the southeast, three
|regimental combat teams Slashed
down from the northeast in an
effort to trap the Wet Mimi de-
Tenders in a pincers movement.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
President Takes
|Buffeting From,
Florida Weather
BY q stoff Correspondent Of The Sta,

KEY WEST. Fla. Nov. 10
President Truman today kept an
EYE cooked to the East where the
sun is supposed to shine-and said
that he hoped the summer"
weather he had been hearing
about soon would put in an ap-
|peararlce.
The President has adopted a
fine facility. for rolling with the
punch, so to speak, in his long
political career and that is stand
ling HIM in good stead here where
the weather has given him a real
tossing around in his vacation
plans.
The White House has had no
further word on President Tru-
mans world appeal for peace
Wednesday night. The cavalier
reception by Russia was exactly
what was expected. There will be
more to say, however, by Secre-
Itary of State Acheson in Paris.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Nelson Asks Dismissal
OF Gaming Indictment
BY District Court

Charles E. Nelson, reputed chief
tain of a s6 million interstate
numbers syndicate, yesterday
afternoon asked District Court to
dismiss a gambling conspiracy in
dictment recently returned against
him and Is others.
A motion attacking the indict-
ment was filed through Attorneys
Leo A. Rover. Clarence G. Pecha-
eek and A. Gwynn Bowie in behalf
of Mr.. Nelson. his wife. Mrs. Vir-
ginia Madge Nelson and Mrs. Eliz-
abeth Brady. Mrs. Nelson and
Mrs. Brady, a bookkeeper at Mel
sons North Beach place known as
Uncle Billie's," are co-defendants
in the indictment.
Nelson's motion contends that
the grand jury which, returned
the indictment was illegally Sc
|lected and impaneled. It asserted
that two of the three jury COM
|missioners who selected the grand
jury had not taken the oath o1
office after reappointment.
1t added that counts in the in
dictment were $50 vague and
indefinite as to make it impossible
for the defendants to avail them
selves of their constitutional
privileges. =
Filed. with the motion to dis
miss was another motion asking
District Court to require the
prosecution to set forth the
charges in greater detail.
Evening star., 1951-11-10

property as a center for its edu-
cational services. The top floor
has been occupied by the Wash
ington Workshop. Inc. an organ
ization which sponsored classes in
sculpture, dancing and other arts.
Tenants have been notified to
vacate.
Having frontage on Massachu-
settS avenue, Twenty fifth street
and P street. the property con-
tains $4,000 square feet of land
area.
Sale was made by the American
Security & Trust Co.. trustee
under the will of the late Carrie
B. Walsh, widow Of Thomas F.
Walsh and mother of Mrs.
Mclean.
The Indonesian government
purchased its Embassy at 270O
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Cold Confines Acheson
To Embassy in France
BY the Associoted Press

PARIS. Nov. 10.-United States
Secretary of State Acheson is con-
fined to his rooms at the Ameri-
can Embassy with a heavy cold.
it was announced today.
A spokesman for the Secretary
said Mr.. Acheson had to cancel
a scheduled appearance tomorrow
at Armistice Day services in the
American Cathedral and social
visit to President Vincent Auriol.
Evening star., 1951-11-10

violation of constitutional rights,
a witness must first be asked q
question. refuse to answer it and
then be disciplined for not an
swering it.
Commenting on the ruling
Austin E.. Garfield. one of Maj.
Barrett's attorney, said:
I'VE now have a clear express
sion of the court. as matter of
law. that the Commissioners had
no power whatever to command
the police officers to sign the ques-
tionnaire."
Inspector Clarence H. Lutz, head
Iof the Policemen's Association
was scheduled to meet with Mr.
Garfield today. The Policemen S
Association had voted unani-
mously to support Maj. Barrett
lin his revolt against the question
naire. ..
Lutz to Answer Quiz.
However. Inspector Lutz said,
"as far as I'm personally con-
cerned. I'm answering the ques-
tionnaire."
"As far as the Police Associa- :
tion is concerned, Well have to be
guided by what Mr.. Canfield and
Mr.. tCharles) Ford decide" he
added.
Inspector Robert 8. Bryant said
only THE COMMISSIONER orders
speak for themselves" and In
spector Oscar J. Letterman said
IF and when orders are issued to
me. shall obey them"
Inspector Archie M. Winfree de-
clared: II haven't completed mine
yet. A lot of that data is terribly
hard to get. You just have to wait
"a while"
A spot check of foot patrolmen
brought little comment. One. who
didn't want to be quoted by name.
said:
I'm willing to answer any ques-
|tions, as long as / don't have to
hire a lawyer to understand what
they're asking. They're not going
to get any money out of me to
fight this thing. I got nothing
Ito hide"
Sequence Of Events.
These events preceded the
Judges action yesterday:
/. Wednesday. October 81 -
Commissioners order all police to
answer crime subcommittee's aues-
tionnaire. I'D
Q. Thursday, November 4 -
Group Of police hire attprneFs to
battle Commissioners order.
8. Friday. November 10 Maj.
Barrett files suit to contest the
Commissioners order. Policemen's
Association votes to uphold the
police chief.
4. Sunday - subcommittee
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Professor
Admits BurgIaries
By the AssoGoied Press

SANTA BARBARA, Calf, Nov.
10.-Debonair DR.. Gwynne Nettler.
IA sociology professor by day,
pleaded guilty yesterday to
charges that he was a burglar by
night, then threw himself on the
mercy of the court.
HE was led astray by the emo
ton bred in him by a sordid love
affair."" declared the professors s
attorney in asking for probation.
DR.. Nettler, who was called the
best-dressed professor on the San
ia Barbara College campus, was
jailed after a comely divorcee. Mrs
Francine Schaeffer, turned over
to the authorities a signed account
of DR., Nettler's second-story ac-
tivities.
Trapped by the letter. the 80
year-old professor confessed every
thing yesterday and waived his
preliminary hearing. He is charged
with three counts of burglary and
one of carrying a concealed
weapon.
"A great mind has gone astray,
said DR.. Nettler's lawyer. w. P.
Butcher, because of DR.. Nettler's
high intellectual qualities he has
an insight into his problem and
the ability to redeem himself
Nevertheless. Judge Ernest
Wagner ordered the professor to
submit to a psychiatric examina-
ton, results of which will be an
nounced when he comes up for
probation hearing November 26.
DR.. Nettler said he gave Mrs.
Schaefer the signed statement so
she would have a hold on him
and be sure of his love.
Many of the professors former
students. obviously on his side
crowded into the courtroom.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Donohue to Discuss
QUESTIONABLE in
Broadcast Tonight

Commissioner F. Joseph
Donohue will discuss the po-
lice QUESTIONABLE issue on his
weekly broadcast over Radio
Station WWDC at 7 pm. to-
day. b..
Mr.. Donohue will be ques-
toned by Miss Harriet Grit
fiths, reporter for The Star,
and Thomas Winship, Wash
ington Post reporter.
Evening star., 1951-11-10

sources threaten to call recalci-
trant police to public hearing to
answer questions orally.
5. Observation-Disclosures call
Maj. Barrett on the carpet with a
view to suspending him for insub-
ordination. Action postponed,
pending outcome of suit.
6. Observation-Disclosures Tru-
man issues executive order making
District police income tax returns
available to the crime suhcommit-
tee.
z. Thursday-Judge Kirkland
|dissolves his temporary restraining
order. making it necessary for
police to answer QUESTIONABLE.
Evening star., 1951-11-10

was a valid and proper exercise o1
our authority, and has so advised
us again today.
Second. this action isSuing the
ORDER was a full acceptance of q
public responsibility. The COM
mittee was authorized to inveSti-
gate into crime and law enforce
ment in the District. A natura,
corollary is the all-important
question of the integrity of mem.
bers of the Police Department.
Even counsel for Mai. Barrett
said there was probably some
corruption in the department, as
corruption is human failing
found in any human institution
So part of our public response
bility is to operate to the limit
of our ability with any request OF
the committee that is within oul
legal right to do.
Third, out of some experience
of my own, it seems to me that
we are Straining at straWS be-
cause no one denies the right of
the Senate committee to call $50
men. who we are told received
questionnaires. before the COM
and under oath have them
every one of the questions.
1t seems to me we were doing
what we should do for the Senate,
for the people, and for the Police
Thos e who would
suffer if the questions are not
answered would be policemen who
are honest, but who would then
be submitted to unnecessary pub
lie questioning.
COMMISSIONER YOUNG.
All the Commissioners, am GER
tain, and all the parties interested
in the question of the pending
Senate investigation of crime
conditions in the District, are
unanimous in striving to ascertain
whether any members of the
Police Department have been un-
faithful to their trust.
To this end I approved of the
original action of the Commits
sioners directing the members of
the Police Department to answer
the QUESTIONABLE.
However, as I read Judge Kirk
lands opinion today. I understand
1t to mean that the Commissioners
were without authority to issue
the original order. I feel that in
asmuch as a Federal judge has
ruled on the question, that the
Commissioners should accept that
ruling.
In his opinion, Judge kirkland
states as a general proposition
that a policeman cannot restrain
enforcement of an apparently law
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Statements on Police Quiz Controversy

The Senate District Crime
Investigating Committee queS-
tionndtre sent to some members
OF the Metropolitan Police De-
partment UdS upheld by the
Commissioners yesterday. They
refused to alter an order that
the QUESTIONABLE must be
ansWered. The Commissioners
uote tDaS 2 to 1 on the issue.
The remarks OF the Commits
StonerS setting forth their UiewS,
and statement by Austin F.
Garfield, attorney for Maj.
Robert J. Barrett, superintend-
ent OF police, toho had fought
the QUESTIONABLE, folloU:
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Deputy's Penny Saves
Driver From Jail
By the Assoeioted Press

SACRAMENTO, Calf, Nov. 10.
For want of penny. Ellsworth
holland almost went to Jail on q
drunken driving charge. But
Deputy Sheriff Neigle Truss camS
through with the copper" AND
holland is free.
Noland was fined $1,000 on the
charge. His wife set out to raise
the money. returned after several
hours with $999.99.
He was pretty good Joe,'
said Truss as he dug up tho
penny.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Senator Taft Charges
Five Percenters Still
Do Business Here
By the Associated Press

KANSAS CITY. Nov. 10.-Five-
percenters and influence peddlers
are still doing business in Wash
ington at the same old stand"
Senator Robert Taft, Republican,
of Ohio asserted in a blast at the
Truman administration last night.
'Maragon is in jail but Harry
Vaughan still is in the White
House with his deep freeze" the
only announced candidate for the
1852 Republican presidential NOM
ination told a dinner audience Of
1900 at the Kansas City World
War II Memorial Building.
(The Senator's references
were to John Maragon. former
Kansas Citian who is serving
Jail sentence for perjury, and
Maj. Gen. Harry Vaughan, per-
sonal aide of President Truman.
Maragon was once a frequent
White House caller.)
"The entire Nation has been
shocked over and over again by
the low state of political morality
in this present administration"
Senator Taft said. "Its partisans
have not even bothered to deny
the improper influence frequently
revealed in congressional investi-
cations. ...
"We know Of the protection
given the Pendergast regime in
Kansas City by high officials Of
the Government. The Nation
resents the extension Of Pender-
gastism to Washington and its
domination in the political think
ing of those who control the Gov
eminent
The Ohio Senator also leveled
"a sharp attack on the Govern
ment's foreign policy and particu-
larly on its handling of the Ko-
rean problem.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
$500 Strikers Close
GE's Turbine Plant
BY the Associated Press

SCHENECTADY, N. Y, Nov. 10
About 1,500 production workers
in the turbine division of the
General Electric Co. walked out
today after staging sit-down
STRIKES in the plant yesterday.
Production ceased in the divi-
sion.
A company spokesman said the
|sit-doWn began in the division yes
|terday after an employe who tenn
|porarily lacked work had refused
|another type of job unless he was
guaranteed the same average wage
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Fayorite SonsofG.0.P
|Win Soon Dash Into
Race for Nomination
By J. A. O'Leoy

Signs were increasing today that
the usual array of favorite sons
soon will be entering the Repub-
lican presidential nominating race.
while the struggle for delegates
between the hackers of Senator
Taft and Gen. Eisenhower con-
Itinues.
! Gov. Earl Warren of California.
the Vice Presidential three years
Iago. plans to announce next week
whether he will try for top bill
ling next year.
New Jersey also has potential
lfavorite son in Gov. Alfred E. Dris-
coll, and friends of Senate Minor
iity Leader Wherry of Nebraska be-
llieve he would like to have his
States vote at the start OF the
convention. Senator Millikin also
stands high in his partys ranks IN
Colorado and could be a favorite
son possibility.
Stassen Withholds Decision.
| Meanwhile, Harold E. Stassen
told a press conference in Chicago
he will wait until January before
deciding on his course. He has
come out against Senator Taft,
but indicated yesterday it is less
likely he will run if Gen. Eisen-
hover becomes a candidate.
| The New York Times story Of
President Truman's reported offer
to support Gen. Eisenhower for
the Democratic nomination and of
the generals implied rejection has
served only to spur on the gen.
erals Republican hackers.
Deadlocks Hold Promise.
Favorite son candidates. always
appear in the convention Of the
party out of power because they
enable delegates to honor a dis
tinguished State leader and. at
the same time, avoid jumping on
the wrong band wagon. Favorite
sons are always encouraged by the
Thought that lightning may strike
in their direction if the front run
Iners fell iptp p deadlock.
| The active campaign Senator
Taft is putting on for delegates.
speaking almost daily in all parts
of the country. is likely to stimu-
late early decisions by favorite
sons.
Taft's Brother Candidate.
1 While Senator Taft was in Mis-
souri, yesterday. conferring with
party leaders. he received word
that in Cincinnati, his brother.
Charles Taft. had announced as
a Republican candidate for Gov
ernor. This development was ex-
pected and has caused politicians
to speculate on what effect it
might have on the Senator's
chances in Ohio.
Charles Taft told reporters he
does not believe his candidacy for
Governor will have anything to do
with his brothers race for the
presidential nomination.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Ex-FoIIies Girls Slayer
Gets 5-10-Yeo,r Term
By the Associated Press

NEW YORK, Nov. 1O.-The
strangling last December of a
former Ziegfeld Follies girl will
cost Apple Picker Birger Nordkvist
five to 10 years in prison.
The 42-year-old native Of
Sweden was sentenced yesterday
in the death of Evelyn Hughes. so,
known on the stage as Yvonne
Hughes. She also appeared in
films with Rudolph Valentino and
Gloria Swanson.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Coast Paper Raises Price

LOS ANGELES. Nov. 10 (P.-
The Los Angeles Examiner yester-
day announced an increase in the
price of its Sunday edition from
Is to 20 cents a copy, effective
November 18. The Los Angeles
Times made a like announcement
yesterday.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
FiIipinos Left Homeless

MANILA. Nov. 10 (P.-A fire
swept through five city blocks in
Cagayan De Orc, on the southern
island Of Mindanao Friday, leav-
ing 500 Filipinos homeless, the
Philippines News Service said to-
day.
Evening star., 1951-11-10

ANOQblllueQ from F1rSU Hage.)
ton, and that is plain honesty ir
government.
| In Interest of Police.
81 think the people have the
right to demand honesty in gov
ernment, and at the proper time.
and through their proper repre-.
sentatives to demand proof o1
that honesty"
Gen. Robinson said he felt il
was not only in the interests o1
the people of the" District, but in
those of the Police Department
that the questionnaires be an.
swered so the department might
free itself from the taint Of pos
sible unjust charges.
Concerning Monday meeting
between Maj. Barrett and the
Commissioners. Gen. Robinson
disclosed today that the discussion
centered around a press release
that Mai. Barrett had issued
castigating the QUESTIONABLE anC
calling it an invasion of privacy.
Sees No Insubordination.
1.-The letter was written on tbs
advice of counsel and by counsel.
Gen. Robinson said. up to the
present time, I don't consider Maj
Barrett guilty of insubordination
THE only guilt l can ascribe tt
Maj. Barrett is the error in judg-
ment in taking poor advice"
| Gen. Robinson said that al.
though the press release was pre-.
pared by the police superintend.
Ient's attorneys. the major took
full responsibility" for it.
| He said that, before the pres!
release was issued, the Commls.
sioners felt that, while Maj. Bar
Irett was not violating their order
"he was not cooperating as h,
had been requested to do by the
Board of Commissioners"
| Integrity Major Question.
| Mr.. Donohue said he thought
the action was a full acceptance
of public responsibility" The
Senate committee is authorized tt
examine crime and law enforce.
ment here. he noted, and "a nat.
ural corollary Of law enforcement
is the all-important question oi
the integrity of the Police Depart
ment."
Mr.. Young mentioned Judg,
Kirkland's view that the Commits.
sioners were without authority tt
issue the order.
In his opinion" Mr.. Young
said. Judge Kirkland states. as 8
general proposition. that a police.
man cannot restrain enforcement
of an apparently lawful order; but
in dealing with the specific ordel
in this case, he says the order ap.
pears to be an unauthorized order
and beyond the scope of the Com.
missionerS' authority.
Because of what believe hi.
reasoning to be in this case,
voted to rescind the origina
oyder."
/ In his ruling. Judge kirkland
said the motive Of the Commits.
sioners. in ordering the police te
answer the questionnaire, wa
"commendable. even though. the
order appears to be outside tn,
scope Of their specific authority
Writ Not Proper Remedy.
/ He ruled. however. that an in.
junction proceeding was not the
proper remedy and that to claim
Evening star., 1951-11-10

full order; but in dealing with the
specific order in this case, he
says the order appears to be an
unauthorized order. and beyond
the scope of the Commissioners
authority.
Because of what I believe his
reasoning to be in this case,
voted to rescind the original order.
In the issuance of the original
order it was the desire of the Com
missioners to give full co-opera-
ton to the Senate committee.
That is still my desire. and every
facility of the District government
that may be lawfully afforded to
the committee will be made avail
able to it.
AUSTIN r. CANFIELD
Attorney for Mai. Barrett.
We have studied Judge Kirk
lands findings set forth in his
memorandum opinion which
was read in open court this morn
ing. ... .4..
1t is clear and beyond doubt
that Judge Kirkland has deter
mined that many of the ques-
tions in the questionnaire ap-
pear irrelevant and inlmaterial
to any inquiry. He expressly
found that the Commissioners
were without any legal power or
to issue their order of
October 81, 1851. commanding
Maj. Barrett and the police Of
ficers to fill in and sign the ques-
tionnaire.
Judge Kirkland also pointed out
that the Senate District Com
mittee was without any legal
power or authority to call upon
the Commissioners to issue the
directive.
We now have a clear expression
of the court as a matter of law
that the Commissioners had no
power whatever to command the
police officers to sign the question
naire. Judge Kirkland pointed
out that at this time he could
not issue the permanent injunc-
ton which the plaintiffs requested
until such time as the plaintiffs
exhausted other apparent legal
administrative remedies.
The Commissioners, having
passed an illegal order, they
should now withdraw it. With
that in mind. we have this day
served upon them a written de-
mand that they comply with what
appears to be a duty under Judge
Kirkland's findings. that is, re-
scind the order.
We have just been told over the
telephone that by a vote of two
to one the Commissioners have re-
fused to do so.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
FOUND b

ENGLISH SETTER, male; found on Rock
Vile pike, Md. 81. 6709.
FOUND PACKAGE containing mems shirts
in vic. Arlandria Shopping Center. Alex
TIE. 0677.
black markings, tan face; strayed Wed
Nov 2, from Takoma Park Silver Spring
area. Reward. Call SH. 1742. Ill
Evening star., 1951-11-10
Counsel for Barrett
Renew Efforts 10
Block Police Quiz

CONTINUED From First Page.)
ton, and that is plain honesty in
government.
Evening star., 1951-11-10
$40 REWARD

For information to the whereabouts of a
fawn boxer dog, male, with black mask,
about one year old answers to the name
of Tony" This dog not fully developed
from becoming sick with grief This dog
has had meningitis Call 10. S-6925
Ii, 3-9669, Ma. 1000, Extr3S4 12'