Evening star., 1952-01-06
Crime Probers
To Quiz Police
And Gamblers
Subpoenos Issued
As Senators Prepare
For District Inquiry
By John V. Hnrner

W SOuu v. I1UIHST
Preparations will be completed
this week for the much -heraldee
Senate investigation of crime ir
the District, with emphasis on the
gambling fraternity and possible
police collusion with the under
world.
Arnold Bauman. the attorney
directing this investigation, an
nounced last night that additional
Subpoenas had been served or
witnesses wanted for questioning
at open hearings starting a week
from tomorrow. Previously, the
counsel had disclosed the serving
OF only two SubpoenaS.
Mr.. Bauman said he. expects to
complete arrangements for the
crime inquiry at a special meeting
of the Senate Crime Investigating
Committee at 2 pm. Tuesday.
From his home in Fairmont. w
Va, meanwhile, the committee
chairman, Senator Neely, said he
would be governed largely by Mr.
Bauman's recommendations in de-
termining the hearing procedure
To Decide On Extension.
Senator Nicely also told The
Star he believes the committee
will decide quickly after the hear
ings open whether the investiga-
ton should be extended beyond
the present January 81 deadline
The Senate appropriated 5000
for the District crime study and
called for a report by the end of
this month.
With the hearings opening Jan
uary IA, Chairman Neely ex-
pressed the opinion that frequent
sessions may be required in order
to develop evidence for the COM
mittee report. The Senator said
this may mean both morning and
afternoon hearings but that in
this, too, he would be guided by
the counsel's recommendations.
Members of the five-man COM
mittee, in addition to Chairman
Nicely are Senators Hunt of Wyo-
ming and Pastore of Rhode Island,
both Democrats, and Senators
Welker, Idaho, and Butler, Mary
land, Republicans. They consti-
tute a specially-appointed sub
committee from the full Senate
District Committee.
Quick Action Expected.
Mr.. Bauman has given little
fnkling of what he plans for the
open hearings but unless he pro-
duces quickly, the chances og ex-
tending the crime investigation
will be reduced. It's considered
likely, therefore, that he will go
after big game almost immedi-
ately.
One of the witnesses known to
have been subpoenaed is former
Police Chief Robert j. Barrett, who
resigned after waging a futile legal
fight against financial question
naire prepared by the committee
counsel and circulated among a
number of policemen. With back
ing of the District Commissioners,
the crime probers succeeded in
getting the details on personal
finances from over 300 policemen.
The other witness known to
have been subpoenaed is Roger
(Whitetop) Simkins, colored,
whose name has been linked fire.
quently with the gambling fra
ternity. The Simkins- operated
Brass Rail, in the 100 block of
Seventh street NV, figured in
the news about three years ago
as a result of a double shooting.
During the ensuing trials, many
references we're made to Simkins
in connection with the numbers
racket.
Other Identities Withheld.
Mr.. Bauman refused to identify
the other witnesses already called
by the committee.
Chairman Nicely was authority
for the statement that the COM
mittee is investigating the police
force"
Mr.. Bauman has an assistant
counsel, Harold Solomon, three
field investigators and a staff
which includes a "chief account
ant" The accountant suppoS-
edly devoting much time to the
police financial questionnaires.