Evening star., 1952-05-30
Police Facing
Tax Probe Of
Funds
Federal Action Seen
As Inquiry Reveals
Unexplained Deposits
By John v. Homer


Further repercussions from the
Senate investigation of District
crime seemed certain today as city
officials waded through reams of
testimony duplicating policemen
in unexplained financial transac-
tions.
The Senate probers had con-
cluded all scheduled hearings but
their disclosures left much to be
done by authorities at the District
Building, police headquarters and
the United States Attorneys Office.
There were indications, too, that
Federal tax authorities would in
tervene.
The Neely crime committee
wound up its long inquiry yester-
day after obtaining an admission
from Police Inspector Beverly C.
Beach that he could not explain
approximately $4,000 in cash
transactions over a period of 33
months ending last September 80.
The cash represented bank de-
poSits and expenditures.
Barrett's Spending Cited.
In the identical period, the
probers had charged earlier, ex-
Police Chief Robert j. Barrett
overspent his accountable income
by $17,400 But the retired
superintendent. who draws a S.
sos pension from the taxpayers,
was still missing from his usual
haunts. and had not challenged
the statement. He failed to re-
Spond to a Senate summons to
testify Wednesday.
These transactions and those of
Inspector Albert I. Bullock are
among the things to be scrutinized
within the next few weeks by
Police Chief Robert v. Murray.
United States Attorney Charles M.
Irelan, the District Commission
ers and the District Assessor.
The presence of Federal income
tax agents at public sessions of
the crime committee was assur-
ance that the Internal Revenue
Bureau is interested.
Inspectors Beach and Bullock
have been suspended from duty as
a result of their testimony.
Pressure Maintained.
Members of the Senate COM
mittee maintained pressure on
city authorities for thorough
cleanup. Most of the probers were
out OF town for the holiday but
they will return next week and
prepare their report on crime,
which is sure to contain sweep
ing recommendations for change.
The final committee hearing
yesterday was acrimonious at
times, as Chairman Neely and
Senator Welker, Republican of
Idaho. entered frequent exchanges
with Inspector Beach and his
lawyer, Wallace L. Schubert.
The Senators accused the police
man of continuing evasive tactics
he had used in testifying the day
before. The lawyer complained
that his client had been badgered.
Senator Welker once ordered Mr..
Schubert to keep out of this, I've
had enough of you today" Later
he withdrew the remark from the
record.
Beach Changes Story.
The probers expressed irritation
when Inspector Beach suddenly
changed his story about a $1,000
cash deposit which had been in
dispute. They also displayed their
impatience with the witness by
stating that Inspector Beach re-
fused to honor a committee sum-
mons in April until Chief Murray
threatened him with suspension.
The husky, 50-year-old officer
testified on Wednesday that the
81 900 he deposited in a Washing
ton bank in March, 1850, was re-
ceived from his brother-in-law, j.
Mahlon Selby, as part payment on
q loan. Mr.. Selby. hastily called
by the committee, denied the
statement categorically.
When he returned to the stand
yesterday, Inspector Beach said he
had been mistaken. He said his
wife helped refresh his memory
and that the money came, in fact,
from policeman now dead.
He identified the man as the
late Sergt. Ernest F. Wyckoff and
said the $1,000 was repayment for
an automobile loan.
The Senators were caustic about
the switched story. Senator
Welker observed that Mr.. Beach
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