The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-21
Disturbing FILMS
BURNED TO ASHES
Police Have Destroyed Dock
Stader's Moving Pictures.
MINSTREL GAVE THEM UP
Recovered in About Twenty-four Hours
Unhappy Capitol Policeman Must
Explain Apparent Inactivity.

Neatly packed in q small pasteboard
box, the several hundred tiny films Of
the pictures at the east front of the
Capitol on Thursday and subsequently
taken to New York city b. Lew Dock
stader and his confederates to be pre-
pared for a moving picture machine,
were brought back TO Washington last
evening by Detective Hartigan Of the
central office, and destroyed in accord
ance with Major Sylvesters orders this
morning. The long string Of films bore
close resemblance to the tape which runs
through the ticket in a stock brokers'
office. and IT required but a few seconds
TO tear the narrow slip of paper into
small bits and throw them into the fire.
Lieutenant Hammond of the Capitol
police force stated today that Police
man John A. Jones. a bicycle man, was
responsible for the east front of the
Capitol at the time the pictures were
taken. and that ne will in all likelihood
have to reckon with the Sergeant-at-
Arms Of the Senate. and the captain Of
the Capitol police. ]. p. Megrew, for
neglect of duty. 1t Is estimated that
IL required about fifteen or twenty min
utes TO take the pictures and through
out that time. Jones, who was detailed
TO look out for the east front. apparent
ly did not cover his territory, and knew
nothing of the occurrence until called
to the office of Lieutenant Hammond
and told of it.
On previous occasions when the Capt.
tol men have shown such negligence
they have either been removed from the
force or tried by the board having
charge Of the police This board cor
responds to a court-martial in the army
or the trial board in the Metropolitan
police force.
Ii was rumOred at the Capitol today
that Jones would be dismissed for his
failure to patrol his territory, but this
could not be substantiated 1t was
learned that Jones would be called be
fore the board within the next few
days to answer 30 charges against him
ana to show cause why he should no.
be dismissed or disciplined.
No Further Action.
Major Sylvester says there will be no
further action in regard to the matte
unless it turns out that pictures were
made from the films before thew were
turned over to the police. The only
charge that could possibly be place
against Dockstader and his cohorts is
dIsofderly conduct or assembly In
asmuch as the Capitol police
knew nothing Of the affair until after
everything was over and the pseudo
cocker T. Washington and President
Roosevelt had driy en- away. it is doubt
ful II the minstrel man would be held OF
convicted in a court of justice.
The work OF the Metropolitan police
force made up for the lack OF vigilance
on the part of the Capitol bluecoats.
The pictures were taken on Thursday
morning about o'clock, and last even
ing about o'clock Detective Hartigan
had the pictures IN his pocket and wac
bound for home. Major Sylvester's men
ascertained in a remarkably short time
who the masqueraders were, where they
purchased their costumes, grease paints,
wigs, and other requisites 10 make them
look like Booker Washington and Presi-
dent Roosevelt and also ascertained at
what hour they left the city 10 go TO
New York.
Major Sylvester telepnoned 10 Inspec-
tor McClusky, Of the New York police
force, and asked that Dockstader be
looked up and requested to hand over
the pictures. Although there is no law
in the land which covers the case and
the worst penalty that could have been
imposed upon the minstrel man would
have been a small fine for disorderly
conduct, the minstrel man gave up the
pictures when approached by a New
York detective. He explained that he
had them taken for a new monologue
and meant no harm. He denied that
In,
his scheme, and also said he did not
ingtOn. but an ordinary negro gentle
man OF some refinement and culture.
1t is suggested that Dockstader has
already had pictures printed from the
films, hence his readiness TO surrender
them 10 the police upon a verbal request
and no threat Of imprisonment Should
this be The case the pictures will be con-
hscated the first time they are exposed
TO public gaze.
The Minstrel "Flabbergasted.'
A dispatch TO The Times from New
York, dated May 20. says:
Lew Dockstader, the negro minstrel.
little dreamed when ne rehearsed on the
steps OF the Capitol Thursday morning
a negro sketch which he had prepared
for use In his show next fall, that a
Secret Service officer would be sent TO
New York 70 capture the biog-aph ma
chine films made at the time. and yet
that Is the very thing that happened.
He had hardly reached the Hotel MARI
borough, In this city. yesterday morn
ing, when he received a telephone mes
sage from Inspector McClusky. who, by
the way. IS a personal friend OF the
minstrel, asking him 10 call upon him
at Headquarters.
Mr.. Dockstader complied with the re
quest and a few minutes later was al
the Mulberry Street office. The in
spector Informed him that President
Roosevelt had sent Secret Service Agent
Hartigan TO this city 70 secure the
films that had been made in Washing
ton and adviesd him to surrender them
at once, which Mr.. Dockstader did.