Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-22
POLITICS ENTERS ARREST OF
MRS. HERRINGT0N
"rRIAL WILL BE CIRCUS" SAYS
JUDGE
Accused Woman Protests Love or
George Neece to Wife, Who
coIIapses, Story Of
lntimates
Long Beach Office.
% Locust avenue

Ihone- Home 260. .f-rs
LONG BEACH, oct. 21.-Mrs. Ethel
Harrington, "Polly Pry," may leave the
city within the next few days and the
case against her may be dropped That
this course is to be expected is asserted
by w. j. Slater and w. b. Julian, the
two business men who were at Polly
Pry's" Pacific avenue fiat on the night
Of her arrest and whom the police say
went there for the purpose of assisting
them in getting evidence against the
woman.
On the other hand, Judge Hart insists
that the case will come to trial and that
1t "will furnish more fun than three
ring circus" He stated this morning
that the case will come up next Monday.
The rumor that the arrest of Mrs. Her
rington was made in an effort to involve
George Neece, former city marshal, has
aroused more interest in the case than
any other feature. Connected with this
rumor is the assertion that Julian and
Slater were to be used by the police as
witnesses against Neece had he appeared
at her home that night ~
One city official made the admission
this morning that the case did not work
out Just as it had been planned, but
would not commit himself further.
George Neece has been considered a
likely candidate for appointment as chief
of police under the new administration.
Bailed Out by Tom Neece
Tom w. Neece a brother of George
Neece, came to Recorder Hart's court in
his automobile to sign Mrs, Harrington S
bond for $500. Then he took Polly Pry''
to his home. Here, besides his wife, was
Mrs. George Neece
"Polly Pry'' prostrated herself before
fha wife n ia citU ma and
In tears told Mrs Neece that her arrest
had been made In an effort to besmirch
her husbands name, say those in close
touch with the facts. She admitted that
she loved Neece. Mrs. Neece became
hysterical and medical aid was required
before she could be quieted.
Today the police department gave out
its version of the affair. According to
the officers "Polly Pry'' had list OF
fifteen we'll known business men from
whom she planned to extort money. Tc
be safer from prosecution she planned tc
confide in Patrolman Phillips. To him
she said, declare the police, that Juliar
and Slater were at the top of this list
and would be victimized first, if possible
Accordingly these men were selected by
the officers to go to Mrs. Harrington
home Thursday night.
While they were there, the story goes
Mrs. Harrington was summoned acros:
the street by telephone call from Patrol
man Phillips, and in the police station
while Marshal Young and Officer Austir
were secreted behind a curtain, repeated
her plans for the extortion of money
She was then placed under arrest.
Silence Ordered
Neither Julian or Slater would explai1
the manner in which they were aidipl
the police by being at the home of poll!
Pry." They say that the police prom
ised them that their names would no
be d1vulged and that the officers CAV
them strict orders to keep silent.
This woman is one that should b
driven from town." said Slater. ,"She ha
a list of men whom she intended to vic
tlmize, and had she carried out her plan
there would have been all kinds o
trouble. Since I heard that my nam
and that of Julian were on her list
have been afraid of her. She is shrewC
and sharp We consented to go to hel
house because we were told our name!
were first on the list. A
'T can't say anything about our con
versation with her there nor anything
about the police departments plans"
He stated that he and Julian went t.
the house about o'clock Thursday nigh
and remained there cnly about twenty
minutes, denying in this assertion Re
cOr0er harLS statement IndI the drreS
was made between / and 2:SO in tn,
morning. XIX
Mrs. Tremble, Mrs. Herrington's com
panion, who was also arrested, is no
mentioned.
Bribery Charged
George Neece has been furnished fnfor
nation which he says is sufficient t.
cause the dismissal of one or two patrol
men on the charge of accepting brib'
of s25 which was divided with an limo
cent third party. Neece went to Los An
geles today, but refused to say tonigh
whether he would bring any actor
against the officers.
The police deny that they offered Mrs
Harrington her release If she would maxi
confession duplicating Neece.
Mrs. Harrington said tonight that sh
would have an interesting statement t.
make later on. She would not sa.
whether she would leave town, bu
laughed merrily when asked If she ex
pected the case against her to come t.
trial.
A.HAtIe NAyII ~ GIVE cLOWE