Evening star., 1953-04-21
Rover 10 Study
Investigation
Units Authority
To Limit Activities
In Order to Avoid
Little Police Force

United States Attorney Leo A.
Rover, who was sworn into Office
yesterday, revealed today that
he will make a special survey of
the present division of investiga-I
ton with a view to determining
the divisions scope and au-
thority.
The division is headed by As
siStant United States Attorney
Thomas A. Walden. Mr.. Rover
told reporters he intends to
maintain a special investigative
unit. but its activities should be
limited as he did not wish his
ofnce to include "a little police
force"
The prosecutor denied he has
plans for immediate changes in
his staff of 80 assistants, al
though he is studying records
and interviewing his various
I'm going to watch them in
court" Mr.. Roper continued.
There will be no snooping, but
I'm going to find out what their
capabilities are"
Narcotics . Problem.
Another problem for Mr..
Roper'S attention, he said, is the
growth Of narcotics peddling
since he was United States at
torney in the 1920s. He indicated
that q drive for strict enforce
ment will be ordered if a survey
of the field shows this to be
necessary.
AS to his assistants, Mr.. Rover
declared they should be allowed
considerable leeway in the han
ding Of cases.
Tne man in the court should
have authority to ask dismissals
without rushing back to me. AS
Sistant United States attorneys
should be neither automotions
nor clerks"
Mr.. Rover said he would con-
tinue to maintain a special civil
rights section, currently headed
by Assistant United States At
torney Thomas Flannery. He
said that in cases where viola
tion Of civil rights are charged
against policemen. the Police
Department would not be the
proper body to investigate such
complaints. He stressed that
this sentiment carried on ref1ec-
tion on the Police Department.
To Prosecute baltimore Case.
Mr.. Rover announced that he
would continue as the chief
prosecutor in the perjury case
against Owen baltimore, former
State Department advisor. He
said the pending baltimore trial
scheduled for this autumn
should last, in his estimation,
about a month and a half. But,
he said, the defense figures about
four months.
Asked about the reported in
veStigation into the Office pay
roll of Representative Bramblett,
Republican, of California, the
prosecutor said the case was on
his desk and some determina-
ton will be arrived at this week."
He said he was studying the
question of possibly asking ad-
ditional investigators from the
Justice Department, but de-
clared, "The ideal investigative
unit is one that is independent
of any department of the Gov
ernment."
Confusion on Complaints.
Mr.. Rover said he would try
to find some way of ending
"the terrible confusion in the
Corporation CounSel's Office in
Municipal Court and in our Office
when it comes to the handling of
complaints over-the-counter."
In both offices, the prosecutors
stand in a row behind long
counters while persons bringing
complaints and answering sum-
monSeS crowd in front of them
to transact their business.
THE assistants talk to three |
or four people at a time" Mr.. |
Rover said, "other persons butt |
in and as a practicing lawyer.
I've always found the procedure |
very irritating" he said.