Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-01-14

IefeVteWefS Wotch (ftme inquiry fol
Only Il Minutes. Poge Al
cameras threw the session into
confusion and disrupted elaborate
plans of Washington radio and
TV stations to carry the proceed
ings morning, afternoon and
night.
Spokesman for the stations said
they would file an immediate pro-
test against the committee ruling
and called a meeting to draft reso-
lutionS on the subject.
Questioning Begun.
After successfully resisting the
TV-radio coverage of his appear
ance, Mr.. Barrett underwent ques-
tioning by the committee on
crime in the District. The Ques-
tioning lasted until shortly after
noon, when the committee re-
cessed its hearings until 2::30 pm.
The questioning of the former
chief was about the status Of
crime generally, and he gave an
swers which he had previously
covered in various public state
ments.
At one point. however, the COM
mittee counsel pressed Mr.. Bar
rett to state what specific steps he
ever took while police superin-
tendent to determine the size and
scope of organized gambling in
Washington or to stamp it out.
"I consulted the United States
Attorney a number of times on
ways to break up the rackets and
I ordered every man on the force
to do all possible to make out
cases against the gamblers. This
put the responsibility on the men
on the beats. I conferred with the
vice squad and tried everything I
could. talked with the inspec-
tors and all on1cials (of the po-
lice Department. about it"
Opening Statement.
In his opening statement on
his objections to television, Mr..
Barrett said:
81 object to being televised and
] object to the televising Of this
hearing even though my image is
not televised. I object to micro
phones being placed before me.
I object to having flashbulbs glar-
ing before my eyes. I object to
the glare, noise and confusion
that accompanies all the things
that I have mentioned"
Mr.. Barrett complained that
the confusion" in the hearing
room in effect subjected him to a
third degree" and said it might
cause him to make a misstate-
ment OF facts which would make
him liable to an indictment for
perjury.
Senator Nicely, Democrat, of
West Virginia. chairman of the
Investigating Committee, an
nounced agreement to the former
police chiefs wishes after a long
conversation of committee mem
bers. counsel and representatives
of the radio companies.
The Senator said the full ruling
would apply only in the case of
Mr.. Barrett but the radio indus
try feared that others who testify
would demand the same rights
and they sought by protest to OBJ
tain a modification.
Pastore Chides Ex- Chief.
Senator Pastore, Democrat, of
Rhode Island, one of the commit
tee members, chided Mr.. Barrett
for his objections, saying:
I'm view of your background
and frequent appearances (before
investigating groups) I consider
these objections rather frivolous
and unfounded.
Chairman Nicely explained that
the decision with respect to Mr..
Barrett did not mean that the
Committee was laying down a
general policy for all witnesses.
It was indicated by staff members
that the Committee was so de-
sirous Of keeping the former chief
on the stand for extensive ex-
animation that It did not want to
risk a walkout by him.
The implication was that some
other witnesses might have to
testify before microphones, even if
they request not to be televised.
Under a committee resolution.
any one who objects to being
televised may require the cameras
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