Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-05-13
Preference Act
Is Police Issue

Chairman league Of the
House Veterans Affairs Commit
tee today promised a move to
amend the Veterans Preference
Act if necessary to prevent it
from blocking immediate sus-
pension OF accused District po-
licemen
The possibility that it might
do SO arose yesterday, as the
District Commissioners consid-
cred trial board recommended
ton that they fire Pvt. Harold
Z. Jones. suspended Ninth Pre-
Cinct policeman.
Although the act has been in
effect for 10 years. it has never
become involved in police de-
partment dismissal procedures
here. Pvt. Jones. however.
charged that his rights under
the act had been violated in
the trial board procedure.
He was found guilty by trial
board of being drunk of duty.
failing to report at the police
clinic while on sick leave and
making untruthful statements.
Formal Notice Ordered
Yesterday, the Commissioners
ordered formal notice that his
dismissal is being considered
sent to Pvt. Jones and warned
him his dismissal could become
effective 80 days after he re-
ceives it.
He has 10 days in which to
reply.
Commenting later. Police
Chief Robert V. Murray warned
of another facet of the law,
which requires that "a hours
written notice be given before
a veteran may be suspended.
Pointing out that 30 per cent
of the department is made up
of veterans, Chief Murray said:
ITO have to notify a policeman
who might be drunk or guilty
of some criminal violation OF
the law that he could only be
suspended after "a hours written
notice under the Veterans Pref
erance Act in my opinion would
greatly handicap the good order
and discipline of the police de-
partment."
Intent Doubted
MI. league, Democrat, OF
Texas. agreed. He said:
Certainly the law was not
written to protect policemen IN
a situation like this. If that is
the legal Interpretation OF the
District Commissioners. intend
to introduce a bill to change 1t"
Speaking particularly of the
provision of the act that requires
24-hour notice in writing OF
suspension, Mr.. league said. I
don't think it was the intent OF
the act to require such a notice
where it is obvious that some
thing should be done lmmedl-
ately." :.
District Commissioner Samuel
Spencer took calmer view OF
the situation, however. While IL
NAV not be possible to suspend
2 policeman on the spot. he said,
TIE department can transfer"
or "reassign" him-perhapS even
to the cell block of the station
house.
Delays Pay Cutoff
The only problem, he said.
Is that the mans pay would
continue until the formal warn
ing period has run out. But, he
indicated, the amount OF money
involved would not be large
from the city's viewpoint.
Mr.. Spencer quoted Corpora
ton Counsel Vernon E. West as
recalling that the problem had
been raised when the act was
first passed and an amendment
on that issue rejected.
Expressing a Discrimination to
seek an amendment now, Mr..
Spencer declared, Il think we
can live with it (the act),"
However, he said, Mr.. Vests
Office is preparing language
which, under the law, would
start the 30-day period of warn
ing on dismissals whenever a
policeman is ordered to stand
trial. The required chance to
reply would come during the
trial hoard proceedings.