Evening star., 1952-11-12
Firemen Protest
|LieDetectorUse
IN Loss Of Cash
Woman Says $1,000
Is Missing After BIoze
At Her Home Oct. 81

Nearly score OF firemen are
taking lie detector tests in con-
nection with $4,000 reported miss
ing after a fire in a District resi-
dence October 81.
The tests were given on a "vol-
untary" basis, but officers of the
flreflghters' association protested
against their use as precedent-
setting and as possibly infringing
on constitutional immunity to
self determination.
The fire burned out an attic in
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Hyman
Hurvitz. 1913 Juniper street NV.
The fire marshal's Office still is
investigating the cause of the
blaze.
After the blaze was extinguished
Mrs. Hurvitz reported the money
missing from a bag placed on a
shelf Of an attic closet.
Statements Signed.
AS is customary in such cases.
the rs firemen who fought the fire
signed statements concerning
their activities there.
Fire Chief Millard Sutton said
Mr.. and Mrs, Hurvitz later came
by and offered to undergo lie de-
tector tests themselves" Under
such circumstances. he said, he
ordered the firemen to report to
police headquarters to "clear the
good name of the department."
Chief Sutton said.
He did not command them to
submit to lie detec:or tests. but
only to Cooperate with the po-
lice, he said. However, Chief Sut-
ton said he personally would take
such a test and did not see why
any one with nothing to hide
would not do likewise.
Whether Mr.. and Mrs. Huryitz
took the test was not learned. In
spector Edgar E. Scott, chief of
detectives, refused to discuss the
case today.
Objection to Tests Voiced.
1t. Alvin E. Davis, president of
Local 36, National Firefighters' AS
sociation (AFL. Immediately OBJ
jected to the tests and said he
would take his complaint today
to Chief Sutton and Police Chief
Robert v. Murray.
1t. Davis said he didn't know
what could be done in the present
case, but he wished to resist the
setting of a pattern. N
This sort Of thing might result
in the calling In of firemen or
policemen every time a l0-cent
article is missing" he said. 1T
all would tend to undermine the
departments morale and cause
the loss of public confidence"
The union head objected more
specifically to some of the ques-
tions put to the men, such as
whether they had ever taken any
thing at any other fire. he added.
IF there are any charges
against the men. they should be
made formally so that they will
have some recourSe-not in this
fashion," he said. Detective
Eichelberger (Robert S. Eichel-
berger who gave the tests) told
the men they were voluntary but
added that they might be held
under suspicion if they refused"
Deputy Reported Behind Screen.
1t. Davis said he had learned
ION good authority" that a deputy
fire chief was concealed behind a
screen during the Interrogation of
some Of the f1remen Monday.
Others were questioned yesterday.
Chief Sutton said he knew noth-
ing about this report.
At least one Police Department
official sided with Chief Sutton's
contention that lie detector tests
were not too drastic. Capt. Aubrey
NJ. Tolson, chief Of the general
assignment squad. recalled that
many 10th precinct policemen
;ook the test when a theft was
'eported at the Police Boys Club.
Chief Sutton said he thought
signed statements usually were
adequate in cases of theft, but
hat in this instance. where Mr..
md Mrs. Hurvitz volunteered to