The Washington times., 1908-06-03
SYLVESTER GUARDED
FROM BLACK HAND"
of Washing
ton Police Received Let
tiers Before Leaving City.

Black Hand" letters, threatening his
life. have been received Fecently by
Major Richard Sylvester, Superintendent
OF the Washington Police. it is said. and
as a result OF the missives his home,
1929 Euclid street. has been guarded by
police or tie Tenth precinct, while
Central Office detectives were with the
major constantly until he let the city
last Sunday morning for Detroit 10 at
tend the convention of police chiefs.
Officials of the Police Department de-
clined to discuss the matter this morn
ing on the ground that they had no
knowledge of the threatening letters said
40 have been received by Major Syl-
vester.
The first intimation that any officials
OF the department had that the major
mad received BLACK Hand" letters was
early Friday morning, when Inspectors
Plemmons and iode followed Two po-
hcemen OF the TcIth precinct.
IN The YernaculaT OF the police the
Inspectors suspected the policemen OF
"hOodling' on their beats and decided
10 watch them. The inspectors followed
Policeman Rock, who does duty IN the
vicinity of the majors home. Instead
of patrOlling his beat. Itock, IL Is said,
went directly to MAJOR sylvester
house, and after spending some time in
the vesubule, came out front and sat
ON a bench. PlemmOns and Bode
watched the policeman more than TWO
hours.
Thought Him Merry.
Surprised at the audacity OF the pO-
liceman in daring 10 loaf on the door
steps OF the home OF the head OF the
department. the inspector approache1
him and asked what no wa doing there.
Rock Is said 10 have replied that ne
was obeyIng orders in remaining in
front OF the house. The inspectors
lodged a formal complaint against the
blueccct. charging him with neglect
of duty.
Inspector Cross, who has charge Of
all complaints of this character before
they are presented 10 the trial board.
made a preliminary Investigation and
reported his findings TO Major Sylvester.
Rock requested that ne be given a hear
ing before the superintendent Of Police.
His request was granted, and the
charges were disposed Of in the major
office. The case. ii was authoritively
stated today. will never go before the
trial board.
II IS said that PIemmons and Bode
discovered another policeman guarding
the rear OF the majors hcme. but no
formal action was taken in this case. /
The INSPECTORS saw that 50 far as they
knew no orders had been issued for any
policemen 20 guard the house. and when
they discovered Rock on the front
steps they considered IL their duty 10
report him. Major Sylvester is said 10
have told the inspectors that they acted
within their authority in reporting Rock.
and said further that ne did not desire /
the bluecoats presence on his front
steps.
No Orders Issued.
Captain Elliott. commanding the
Tenth precinct. denied today. that ne
had received orders TO have a special
guard placed around the majors house.
He admitted that Rock had been found
IN the vesubule, but said he did not
know whether formal charges had been
preferred against him.
Two days before Major Sylvester
iett FOR Detroit, said the captain. Il
received orders &c nave my men watch
his house duriI 2 his absence. I un-
ders tanc his son and daughter are alone
IN the mouse. Tie order Is being car
RED out faithfully, and although a
guard is not being maintained in front
II the house. the men on the beat
are keeping the residence under con-
slant observation
The assistance which Major Sylvester
rendered the Baltimore authorities IN
an attempt to run down the members
of the BLACK Hand who endeavored
10 blow up the DI GiOrgio home In
Baltimore is reported 10 have melted
the displeasure OF the society. The
major is said to have incurred the
further enmity OF the society when he
had a guard placed aro7i-si The home
in this city Of Di GlOrgio's brother.
NinCenzo Dl Giorgio. 619 NJ street north
west.