Evening star., 1952-06-03
Barrett Case
May Be Turned
Back toD.C.
Assessors Office
Begins Checkup Of
Ex-Chief's Finances
By Jack Jonas

6A-SNtOb , itlOtaSSS
By Jack Jonas
Senate crime investigators may
leave to District officials the task
of unraveling the mystery of for.
mer Police Chief Robert ]. Bar
rett'S finances.
This was indicated strongly to-
day as the District assessors Office
began the job ordered last week
by the Commissioners-checking
the former chiefs income tax rec
ords. @
It appeared more than likely
that Mr.. Barrett would refuse to
answer any questions about his
finances, even if the committee
should summon him. His attor-
ney, Charles E. Ford, has said he
will advise his client not. to an
swer such inquiries and there was
nothing to indicate Mr.. Barrett
would go contrary to Mr.. Ford's
advice.
Neely Expected Back Tomorrow.
When Mr.. Barrett failed to ap-
pear before the Crime Committee
last week, a committee accountant,
jerome j. Steiker. was called. He
testified that an investigation of
the former chiefs finances showed
he spent $17.400 more than he
claimed he earned during a 33-
month period ending last Septem-
ber 80.
Chairman Neely is expected
back in Washington tomorrow
after a visit to his home at Fair
mont, w. Va. No decision is ex-
pected concerning the Barrett
case until then.
But Senator Neely has exhibited
little patience with pursuing the
questioning of witnesses who re-
fuse to answer. His views have
been shared by two other mem
bers Of the five-man subcommit-
. tee, Senators Hunt, Democrat of
Wyoming, and Pastore, Democrat
of Rhode Island. :
Mr.. Barrett became available to
the committee during the week end
after efforts to locate him earlier
were unsuccessful.
Waiting, DonOhue Says.
Commissioner F. ,Joseph Dono.
hue said last night that the Com
misSioners are undergoing a
waiting program in the Bar
rett case. He made the statement
during the Commissioners Report,
weekly television program over
Station WNdAL-TV.
The Commissioners are waiting
first, Mr.. Donohue said. for a re-
port from the corporation coun-
sells Office concerning what can be
done about Mr.. Barrett's $685.
a-year pension if he refuses to
answer questions.
Second. he said, they are wait
ing the income tax reports. And
finally, they want to see what the
Crime Committee does with the
Barrett case.
Action in another matter
brought to light by the Crime Com
mittee may be forthcoming with
in a few days.
Police Supt. Robert v. Murray
said yesterday he will shave an
announcement in day or two"
concerning Capt. William T. Muir
ply, transferred last week from
No. 9 precinct to duty at head
quarters.
Punishment Recalled.
Last January Sergts. James
Beach and Robert Smith testified
that Capt. Murphy transferred
them to school-crossing duty as
punishment for making gambling
arrests in No. IA precinct. Capt.
John Monroe told the probers that
Capt. Murphy once reprimanded
him for making gambling arrest.
Maj. Murray has relieved the
pressure in the case Of Inspector
Albert I. Bullock, suspended last
week pending an explanation of
Crime Committee disclosures that
he and his wife spent $4,000 in
excess of their acknowledged
income.
The major said a letter from
Mr.. Ford, the inspectors attor-
ney, assured him that accountants
are working Sunday and holi-
days" seeking an explanation for
the added income.
Questionnaires to Be Returned.
Meanwhile, Crime Committee
Counsel Arnold Bauman an
nounced today that all financial
queStionnaires - distributed to-
more than 800 policemen last fall
will be returned to those who
filed them, with a few excep-
tions.
The exceptions, he said, are
those which were made a part of
the hearing record. These in
clude questionnaires returned by
Mr.. Barrett, Inspector Bullock,
Inspector Beverly C. Beach, 1t.
H. H. Carper and Sergt. William
Z. Taylor.
s Mr.. Bauman said the commit
tees decision to return the ques-
tionnaires was made because the
documents contain much in
formation of a personal nature
which should be reserved to those
involved. The Individual police
will be informed when the ques-
tionnaires are available at the
committee offices.