Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-03
BLOCK AND THE POLICY MEN.
The Detectives Friends Say the Gamblers
Caused His Removal

Tie Detectfve's fr1en0s say tne 1omDAefS
Caused His Removal
Following the changes made in the detective
corps of the police department comes rumors
Of all sorts concerning the reasons for the
changes. Friends of Detective Block attribute
his removal to the Influence brought to bear in
the interest Of policy hackers and gamblers.
against whom Block has waged active war.
They say that the policy men and
gamblers are claiming that the move
was their victory. 1t is asserted that several
days before the changes were made Mr.. ]. p.
Horbach, an alleged policy hacker, who is now
awaiting a trial, had made use of an expression
indicating that he intended to have Detective
Block removed.
knowing that Horback was frequent Wis
itor to headquarters" said Mr.. Block today,
''and had boasted of his influence. 1 appre-
hended that there might be something in his
statements. especially as 1 believed that De-
tective MahOn was being used to injure me.
called to see the Commissioners. and informed
Mr.. Douglass that Mr.. Mahon had been
used to sling mud. That gentleman referred
me to Mr.. Ross who has charge of the police
department ] reiterated my statement and
Mr.. Ross assured me that no action would be
taken before 1 would have an opportunity to
be heard, but the next heard was the
nouncement in The STAR of my removal from
''If am guilty" he continued, 81 should be
dismissed, and if not all ask is a vindica-
ton"
THE LAST RAID.
The last general policy raid was started by
Detective Block. and during the past few
months many arrests have been made, includ-
ing the alleged hackers of both the old and the
new firms. One firm has its headquarters at
the south end of the Long bridge. while the
other holds out at the corresponding
end of the new bridge that crosses at George
town. Policemen Greeley and Sutherland ar
rested many alleged writer's of the alleged 'old
firm, and last saturday IN the Police Court
Messrs. Ebenezer 7. Cross, John Hurley and
George Myers, alleged hackers, were heard and
held in 81 900 each for the grand jury.
These arrests. it is stated, were made after
the arrest of Horbach who has not yet been
tried. and after 1t is said, the rival firms were
put IN fighting attitude toward each other.
WITNESS SAVED FROM THE WORK House,
One of the principal witnesses in that case
was a negro named George Calvin, and two
days after he appeared as a witness he was ar
rested by the officers Of the first precinct and
charged with being a vagrant
As the case had been held for the grand jury
the colored boys presence would have been
desired shortly, and had he remained in the
work house his detention would probably have
caused trouble for the government but it
came tC tHe knowledge OF the prosecuting
officer, Mr.. Mullowney. that his witness had
been sent down and today Mr.. Mullowney pro-
cured from Judge Kimball an order for his re-
lease. The case will now come up on motion
for a new trial. and Mr.. Mullowney told a
STAR reporter today that he intended to inves-
tigate the matter.
1t is not imagined that the officers who made
the arrest knew that Calvin was being used as
a spotter at that time, but Mr.. Mullowney
thinks that complaint came in some way from
a rival policy man.
When the case comes mp for a new trial Mr..
Mullowney will appear in behalf Of the boy.
THE WAR CONTINUED.
In the meanwhile the war on the policy men
continues and last night an alleged employe Of
the old firm was arrested. He was a young
colored man named Thomas Lightfoot and he
was arrested by Policeman Greeley who found
him starting across the bridge on horseback.
In his possession was found a number of policy
books. He wants a jury trial.
Policeman Sutherland Of Georgetown was
instrumental in the arrest of number of
policy men and it is said that that was one Of
the reasons why he was promoted.
The District Commissioners decline to state
what reasons they had for reducing Detectives
Block, Raft and Horne further than to say that
they took the action because they believed it
was for the good OF the service.