Evening star., 1952-01-23
Crime Probers
Voted Extension
Of Only 30 Days
Rules Group Allows
Only Quarter Of Time
And Funds Sought
By John v. Horner and
lock Jonos

LIE senate RULES COu0lLCS0
today recommended that the in
vestigation of District crime
conditions be extended for so
days beyond the present deadline
of January 81.
The investigating committee
headed by Senator Nicely, Demo-
crat. Of West Virginia, and the
full Senate District Committee
has urged an extension of four
months with an appropriation Of
SCI. 200. The Rules Committees
recommendation to the Senate
cuts the appropriation as well as
the time to one-fourth Of the
amount sought.
Chairman Hayden said the Rules
Committee agreed with Senator
Hennings. Democrat, of Missouri.
that the District probe should be
continued no longer than neces-
sary because of It's effect on mo-
rale of the Metropolitan Police De-
partment. He pointed out the new
police superintendent. Maj. Rob-
ert w. Murray, has promised to
press for a cleanup Of crime and
the Senator said committee mem
bers felt the chief should be given
an opportunity to do that.
Can Renew Request.
Senator Hayden told reporters
that if the Nicely Committee could
demonstrate within the additional
30-day period that there is need
of further investigation, it could
renew its request for more time
and more money. The rules chair
man said that what has been de-
|veloped to date reflects crime
conditions Of the past (which
have not been right" But, he
emphasized. all of these condi-
tions existed under the previous
police administration of Mai,
Robert j. Barrett.
I'VE agreed" Senator Hayden
stated, with Senator Hennings,
who said what Washington needs
is every day duty by good police
chief and District Attorney to see
that the place is kept clean. We
now have both q new chief and o
new District Attorney"
Charles M. Irelan succeeded
George Morris Fay as Unite d
States Attorney last fall. Shortly
afterwards. Mai. Barrett retired.
lclaiming physical disability, and
Maj. Murray was appointed his
successor.
The crime subcommittee's plea
for four-month extension was
presented to the Rules Committee
lby Chairman Neely, Senator Hunt.
Democrat, of Wyoming, both mem
bers of the investigating unit. and
Senator Case, Republican, Of
South Dakota.
Hearings Recessed.
The committee yesterday re-
Icessed its public hearings indefi-
|nitely, after many startling dis
closures in seven days Of testi.
|mony.
However, many questions re-
main to be answered, and many
witnesses to be heard. For the
most part, witnesses have testi-
fled so far on gambling and pos
Isible police connections with gam
lblers.
But in the last two days of the
hearing, there were strong indi.
cations that the inquiry would
move into other fields. One wit
ness, not a police official. testified
about gifts received for favors
extended, and a police officer told
of dealing in the gray market"
in automobiles.
Daniel B. Maher, former spe-
Icial assistant corporation counsel.
was one of the last witnesses heard
yesterday.
Mr.. Maher. who represented Mr..
Barrett during the committees
questioning of the ex-chief, asked
Iand received permission to have
lthe teleyision lights turned on
during the testimony. One Of the
reasons given by Mr.. Barrett for
mot facing television was that Mr..
Maher's eyes could not stand the
glare.
Mr.. Maher offered to let the
Icommittee look over his financial
records, but Senator Neely said the
committee had no desire to do that
lat this time.