Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-14

GOV. WELLS EMPLOYED AS CCUNSEL-THE CoMPI .ISTs
AGAINST THE DETECTIVES POURING IN-THE STORY
OF THE STRANGER WHO WAS TAKEN IN,-THE
EXPERIENCES OF AN OLD LADY
Ex-Governor H. Fl. Wells has been EMPLOYED as
counsel by the committee of citizens investigating
the charges made against the detectives and have
handed over TO him all the information so far re-
celved. When a STAR reporter entered the Office
OF Mr. John w. Thompson, chairman of the citi-
zens' committee, this morning, he found several
persons there who had come to relate their un-
thieves.
II have heard so many OF these statements. %
said Mr.. Thompson, "that my head fairly buzzes
If we can only get certain evidence that we are
waiting for we VIII take very prompt action ;;
II see that you have engaged Gov. WelIs,n said
the reporter.
sci, II we get what we want. But the committee
Stlll has the matter under con liberation and Mr.
Wells Is WI VIII a. give LEGAL shape to the matter pre-
"Ihere are a good many people," continued Mr.
thompson, ''who are opposed to the publicity
given TO this matter In tn newspapers and while
In sympathy with the movement and recOgniZ no
Its Importance they refuse TO join In it for that
reason"
PUBLICITY DESIRABLE
The reporter suggested that, as the policy OF Sc
crecy had prevailed in the past and the public had
been ro bbed, they certainly could not suffer any
more IL everything was now published in the
papers
Mr.. thompson went on to say that gentleman
called on him last night and told him OF the ey-
porience which friend OF his had In this city, He
came here stranger and as wItress In a case on
trial In the courts. While here he was robbed of
his watch and, IS he valued IL as heirloom he
was very much distressed, and went to police
headquarters 10 see II It could be recovered The
detectives were doubtful about IT. and dnaiiv
asked him whether lie would be willing to nav
$3.50 Tor lis recovery. The stranger said fhat
ne would, and wrote out check and shortly
after he received his watch.
TWICE PLTNDERED
He left the city, and returned again in few
months, and shortly after his return while at the
hotel. he found that he had been robbed OF his
watch and pocket-book. He again went to the
detectives and informed them OF his loss After
some discussion they told him that they could re-
cover his property II he would pay $3.50. The VIC
tim thought this pretty steep, and he hesitated
some time, but finally, rather than to loose his
property, he paid over the money and received
bOth the watch and the pOcket-boOk
When Mr. Thompson had finished he turned to a
n1ce-looking. mothcrly old lady who sat In the
Office and said "Th!s lady Will tell you her ex-
perence."
The old lady s.il that she lived On g street he
tween 2lSt ana ~ streets, and that her house had
been robbed twice. The police had told her that
they knew vino the there's were but they were
except some portion OF II, Which was left In q
vacant lot
These statements and experiences are only
specimens OF a large number which have come to
the attention or members Of the committee and of
THE STAR. There seems TO be no lack of cases
and all that remains is to have the Statements
properly SubStanttated, and 10 attain this object
the committee are at work induStriOuSy.