Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-30
New Proposals
Filled in Police,
.NAACP Row

New proposals on three
fronts today highlighted the
continuing discussions on how
best to deal with the charges
leveled against the Police De-
partment by the aNtional Asso-
citation for the Advancement of
Colored People.
There were these develop
ments-all carried in letters to
the Commissioners:
l. Representative Broyhill,
Republican of Virginia, pro-
posed broadening the Commits
sioners' investigation of charges
against the police to determine
to what extent the NAACP and
its local president, Eugene
Davidson, have INSTRUCTED
justice and handicapped police
/ nthe performance of their
sworn duty"
2. Mr.. Davidson reiterated
his position that the police adj
miniStration needs reorganiza-
ton at the top, formally pro-
posed that the Commissioners
request the Senate District
Committee to investigate the
Police Department and asked
for a conference with the Com
misSioners to discuss the pro-
poSal.
3. Six organizations Joined in
requesting the Commissioners
to appoint two committees to
investigate the NAACP's
charges of mistreatment of cit
liens by the police and charges
OF discrimination in police hir-
ing practices.
Six Groups Listed
The six organizations in
cluded American Council for
Human Rights, Washington
chapter of Americans for Dem
ocratic Action, Washington
Friends Joint Social Order
Committee, Washington Paci-
fist Fellowship, Sportsmen's
Guild and the District Area
Branch of the Women's Inter-
national League for Peace and
Freedom.
Commissioner Robert E. Nc
Laughlin had said the Com
mlSSloners would discuss at
their board meeting today how
to proceed with plans for a pub
lie hearing on the discrimlna-
ton charges but did not get
to it.
Mr.. Mclaughlin announced
last week that the Commas
sioners would hold a public
hearing on that part of the
MACE charges not being in
vestigated by the Justice De-
partment'S civil rights section,
which has agreed to go only
into the brutality charges MADE
by Mr.. Davidson.
Mr.. Davidson today repeated
his opposition to having the
Commissioners hold the near
ing on the ground that it would
result in an lex parte public
forum at which the virtues OF
the present chief of police
would be emphasized without
basic issues being decided"
The six organizations took
another tack. They proposed
that one committee be appoint
ed specifically to inquire into
employment practices in the
District government, including
the Police and Fire Depart
ments. to ascertain whether
the policies of the executive
branch of the government and
of the Commissioners are
being followed"
Seek Fair Practices Group
Such a committee, said the
groups, should be asked to find
the facts and recommend meas
ures. such as the creation of q
standing fair employment prac-
tees committee. to prevent
discrimination.
The second committee, under
the group proposal, would be
composed of sociologlsUS and
criminologists from the local
universities, represe natives
from the city's bar associations
and others familiar with prob
lens of civil liberties and law
enforcement.
Such a committee. said the
group, should recommend pre-
ventive and remedial measures.
such as. special in-service
courses, as may appear neces-
coru O ffar tho I,tcffnA na,,o,.t