DISMISSED OFFICERS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Spa,—In your issue of June 16th I notice a reference to Miss Douglas Pennant's and my own experience of official methods in this country. As stated by the writer of that letter, the Government has admitted publicly that wrong was done to myself. This was, however, only admitted by the Home Office when 1 had suffered for over twenty-three years in struggling against their determination to suppress my efforts to obtain redress, although the Home Office was fully aware during all these years that wrong had been done to me.
This continued injustice and reftisal of redress to persons officially wronged is due to the traditional policy of all our Government Departments to pretend that " British officialdom cannot do wrong." It is a stupid tradition, based on the belief that official admission of wrong done by them will have the effect of ruining public confidence in the integrity and ability of our officials in public life. Apparently our politicians and officials eannot realize that honest and voluntary admission of a mistake is more likely to enhance than to damage the reputation of the official as a just dealer.
In May, 1931, the Home Office granted me a pension " in respect of my fifteen years of completed Police Service " ; but for the past two years I have been unavailingly seeking compensation for the !my and pension of which I was deprived for over twenty years through the persistence of the Home Office in refusing itte justice and acknowledgement .of known wrong done me. l laving publicly admitted the wrong done, the Home Office cannot now disclaim legal liability for compensation ; they know, however, that I am not in a financial position to light the financial resources at their disposal in the event of action being taken in the Law Courts. They have not hesitated in the past to spend the public money freely in attempts to crush me : in one trial alone July, 1914—the costs of the Home Office amounted to £1,095 (according to official reply in the House of Commons to it question by Sir George Touche, M.P.).
Altogether I estimate that during the twenty odd years of my struggle the Home Office and New Scotland Yard must have spent between £20,000 and £30,000 in attempting to prevent justice. In Miss Douglas Pennant's case the amine applies ; money has been, and is being, freely spent by the Government Department concerned in preventing that wronged lady from getting recognition of the wrong. How long will the British public tolerate this awful and costly stupidity of officialdom ? 1 am, Sir, &e.,
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