Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-11-03
Bias Hearing
Ruling Dueby
End Of Week
BY JAMES G. DEANE

plan to rule before the end Of
this week on the charges
brought by the National Associ-
alton for the Advancement Of
Colored People against Police
Chief Robert v. Murray.
The Commissioners have an
nounced that public hearings
on the NAACP charges will con-
clude Tuesday. The city heads
plan to review the hearing rec
ord and reach a decision by
Friday, Commissioner Robert
E. Mclaughlin said yesterday.
Thurman L. Dodson, chief
NAACP counsel, said he will
reiterate Tuesday an NAACP
demand for Chief Murray's dis
missal and also propose changes
in the administration of the
police department.
Roger Robb, Chief Murray's
attorney, is expected to cali
for full exoneration of the po-
lice chief of all NAACP charges
against him. which allege that
the chief has condoned racial
discrimination and police bru-
tality.
Bid for Confidence
1t is expected that Mr.. Robb
will also ask, in effect, for an
expression of confidence by the
city heads in the police chiefs
conduct and policies.
Mr.. Dodson yesterday would
not disclose in detail the
changes in the police depart
ment which he plans to pro-
pose in his concluding argu-
ment on Tuesday. The final
session in the public inquiry
opened by the Commissioners
on October 81 is scheduled for
9 am. Tuesday.
The NAACP attorney said that
the, proposals will relate to his
organizations contention that
the police department now ex-
cludes Negro policemen from
many preferred posts and that
it has condoned brutality in
arrests. ~
He will propose administra-
tive changes to correct these
alleged abuses, he said.
Mr.. Dodson said the NAACP
will press for the administra-
tive changes even if the Com
missioners find there is insult
ficient ground for removing"
the police chief.
Charges Denied
Chief Murray, in sworn testi-
mony last week. firmly denied
that the NAACP charges have
any foundation. He said the
department is operated without
racial discrimination.
The police chief also testified,
with regard to a group Of cases
in which the NAACP alleged
that policemen had exhibited
brutality without punishment,
that thorough investigation
supported the departments
handling of the cases.
A string of other police off,
GERS backed the chiefs testi-
mony. Witnesses called by Mr..
Robb also challenged testimony
of NAACP witnesses in several
Of the disputed cases of alleged
police brutality.
Up to last Friday, 81 witness
Ses had appeared in the hear
ings, 10 called by Mr.. Robb and
the rest by the NAACP at
torneys.
Appearing directly in Chief
Murray's defense. besides the
chief himself, have been a de-
putty chief. an inspector, q cap
tain. five police privates and a
Civil Service Commission ex-
aminer.
Appearing on NAACP sum-
mons have been 10 other police
officials, four alleged victims Of
police brutality, four witnesses
to one Of the alleged brutality
cases. statistician. a man who
wrote a letter related to police
racial policies to the White
House. and Eugene Davidson,
NAACP chapter president here.
One Of these witnesses, John
T. Blue, statistician and
director of the American Coun-
Gil on Human Rights, is expect
ed to appear again Tuesday to
analyze some information sub
mitted by Chief Murray al the
NAACP's request.
Mr.. DodSon said he may also
call upon one or two further
witnesses.
No more witnesses are ex-
pected to be summoned by Mr..
Robb unless the police chiefs
attorney finds this necessary
for purposes of rebuttal.
Mr.. Robb and Mr.. Dodson
will be allowed an hour each
for closing argument at the
Tuesday session.
Mr.. Mclaughlin said the
plan for an early decision on
the charges stems partly from
plans Of Commissioner David
B. Karrick to leave Friday on
a two-week trip to South
America for meetings of the
Inter-American Bar Assoc
citation.