The Washington times., 1910-09-22
Analysts ShogUS
Report Worthless

Despite the fact that Coroner J. Ram
say hewitt indorsed the reports Of De-
tective Sergeants weldon and Burling-
ame with the declaration that ne was
unable to appreciate whereby this case
could be more thoroughly investigated, I"
a continued study Of the police dOcu-
ments only makes them appear the more
worthless as instruments that might be
used in setting at rest all doubt as 20
the manner IN which NorvaI T Harris
net his death
IN many other portions Of the reports
are found the same signs of carelessnsSs
(which Is the most charitable word that
may be used as are found IN that pOr-
ton which relates 10 the investigation
Of the report OF the pistol shot
several Witnesses are quoted Ey
Weldon and Burlingame in an az
tempt 70 prove that NOTTal Har-
is was low spirited anC down heart
I'd for some time before his death Rob-
ert Harris, an uncle Of the dead youth
Is one man quoted IA tais respect; Rob-
ert P Bailey, street inspector, who
worked under Mr. Harris and c O.
Rockwell, another street Inspector, also
under Mr. Harris, are two others will
ing. according 10 the police TO tell OF
Harris appearing morose. gloomy, low
spirited, and apparently IN trouble
But One Side Shown.
have seen Harris when he was in blue
mood have been Incorporated in the
report Of the detectives, but hardly a
word is quoted as being secured from
other witnesses who tell Of seeing
Harris happy and light hearted on the
day and the evening OF the night Of his
death
r H Y jana counsel Of Washington
Camp Of the Modern WOOdrnen. saw
Harris the night OF August ., and he
declares that he appeared 10 be in good
spirits
Mrs Robert Harris, aunt Of the dead
youth declared 20 The Times reporters
and 70 Mr. jana that NorvaI Harris
vas in the best OF spirits at s o'clock
on the evening Of August q and ve-
not one word Of this appears in the
report Of the detectives \ ounE Harris
wanted his aunt TO go on the excursion
with him that night. and only appeare,
happy and anxious 70 get started for
the boat
Miss Summers Story.
Laura Summers saw Harris the after
noon Of August 2, and the detectives
admit that Miss Summers said Harris
appeared 10 be in good spirits.
Weldon and Burlingame. however. ac-
cordIng to their report, examined Mrs
Josephine HOOEeT, a cousin OF The deaC
youth, and failed 10 ask ber-stiu ac-
COrdlnS 10 the repOrt-aS TO the cOndi-
ton Of Harris mind Mrs. Hoover
readily told The Times that NorvaI
Harris vas in the best OF spirits al All
times and she never had occasion TO be-
leve that he was in any particular
serious trouble
sun another portion OF the report
makes II necessary TO believe that the
TWO detectives have fitted Us.Ch OF their
evidence 10 their deductions This Dor
ton relates TO the arrival Of the steamer
returning from the excursion.
An Illustration.
The point can better be illustrated by
quoting from the report as follows
Page Is Of report-VVe are informed
that the boat arrived at the landing in
this city about Il OF five minutes
after Il O'Clock. and the distance
from the boat tc where the body was
found would take about twenty min
utes to walk
The wharf where the excursion boat
landed is just three and one-half blocks
and as one Of the policemen in south
west washington remarked yesterday
afternoon man could roll without diff
hculty from one point 10 the other in
twenty minutes
To Show No Motive.
mat the reports OF the detectives
are of absolutely no value to the Cor
oner except TO aid him in holding 10
a theory Of suicide is shown again
when page 40 Of the police document
is reached.
TIE only excuse Tor this statement
would appear 10 be an attempt TO
show that Harris was not murdered /