Evening star., 1952-01-31
Crime Inquiry
To Check Police
On RetireI11ents
Counsel Is Silent
On Move as OfficioIs
Delay Plans to Leave
By jack Jonas

By Jack jonas
| The Senate Crime Investigating
Committee is preparing to lool
into the police retirement situa.
Ition. it was indicated today.
4 It was learned Counsel Arnole
lBauman has questioned some for
inner police officials on their rea'
sons for retirement, and is gather.
ing information on individual re.
tirementS.
Mr.. Bauman's answer to ques'
tions about what is planned il
that directions was:
"No comment"
Meantime, there were further
indications that as soon as The
committee ends its investigation.
and files its report in June, there
will be additional requests for re.
tirement, principally on physica
disability.
Some Holding Back.
Top-ranking officers said they
have been holding back their re-
tirement applications until tht
committee finishes its job. Those
who plan to retire admitted
frankly that they will seek it or
the basis of physical disability
rather than length Of service.
They made it clear. however
that their retirement plans should
not be interpreted in any way al
resentment against the appoint
ment OF Maj. Robert v. Murray as
superintendent Of police.
Some Indicated that they die
not wish to be questioned by the
Senate probers about why they
had retired and for that reason
would wait until the inquiry ends
Contempt Citations Asked.
The committee, after voting to
cite two of the city's top gambling
figures for contempt Of the SEN
ate, announced that it will resume
open hearings late next month OF
early in March.
Recommendations were made in
Ia closed session late yesterday to
cite Emmitt Warning and Roger
(Whitetop) Simkins. who figure in
the Washington numbers racket,
for contempt.
/ Mr.. Bauman confirmed previous
reports that the inquiry will delve
into the illegal narcotics traffic
here. as well as gambling and po-
lice connections with gamblers.
He said that contempt citations
also are under consideration
against others aside from Warning
and Simkins for not answering
put to them by the COM
mittee. These include Nathaniel
Taylor. Jacqueline Terry and
Murray OF.
Except for a few instances. War
ring refused politely but firmly to
answer committee questions about
his business, his assets, limited per-
sonal friendships with top-ranking
police officers and his connection
with the numbers racket.
Statements I'm Record.
Simkins, colored, who also ap-
|peared during the public hearings,
kept silent about his business deal
lings and would not discuss his role
in operation Of the Brass Rail
Restaurant.
Although Taylor and Miss Terry
gave full statements to members
of the investigating staff, they
became tight Tipped when they
came before the committee. Their
statements, in which they admit
ted writing numbers, were put
into the record.
OF, questioned about his con-
|nections with race wire services
also remained silent. He would
not give the committee his f1nan-
cial records. although he brought
them to the hearing room in
answer to a subpoena. He is ex-
|pected to be called again later.
The contempt citations against
Warning and Simkins must be
approved by the full District Com
mittee and by the Senate before
they can be turned over to the
United States Attorney for action
Mr.. Bauman said the indictment
of gambler Sam Beard on charges
Iof trying to evade payment OF
more than $1,660.000 in income
taxes will mean that he will. moi
be called to testify. Beard was
scheduled originally to testify
Ibut was excused because Of illness
The Senate yesterday approved
Iextending the life of the inquiry
to May 81, allowing until June 80
for making a final report. It ap-
Ipeared doubtful that an interim
report would be made, since the
lnew resolution did not call for one