The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-02-01
LOCAL POLICE
DENY CHARGES
Say JudS0n Has Not
Been Told the
Whole Truth
Captain Arnold Gives Strong
Statement Bearing On
JudSOn'S Letter

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Refutation is today made by all Of
ficials connected with the Bridgeport
police department that as alleged in
a letter from States Attorney Stiles
Judson directed to the Police Com
missioners and made public at last
nights meeting, Jealousy and lack of
corporation exist between the local
and State police departments. This
letter published below specifically
charges that instructions from States
attorneys office to notify State Police
man Frank virelli of any murders or
attempts at nurder, have been ignored
by the local detective department
Suppl Eugene Birmingham. questioned
by the Board of Police Commissioners,
admitted that friction might have oc-
ctlrred between Individual detectives,
and referred the matter more directly
TO Capt. George Arnold for explana-
tion. The views of the head of the
detective department could not be Sc
cured last night as he had already left
the building but it is believed he will
be given an opportunity to appear be-
fore the board at a later meeting:
In interviews with the local papers
today both Supt. Birmingham and
Captain Arnold enphatically deny
force has existed or that they have
failed to cooperate in all cases where
the State police might have interest.
They assert as false the statements
that in the Leon Gin case they failed
to notify Officer Virelli as charged, and
in turn assert that their efforts to-
some instances rather been hampered
than aided by the intervention of the
State policeman cited in the States
attorneys letter.
sorTaf n oh Ninf of h11n
detective department to a reporter for
The Farmer said: These charges are
all poppy cock There is absolutely
no basis for them unless they are in
spired by a personal feeling OF enrnity
on the part of some member of the
State police force.
eve have at all times co-operated
with the State police force and par
ticularIy since Attorney JudSon made
a specific request that we notify V1r-
ELI in the event of murder or at
tempt at murder.
These Instructions were given after
the shooting of Mr. Sullivan in his
fair that took place after that was the
Leon Gin stabbing. Supt. Birmingham
was then out of the building and in
the presence of Sergeant Haux I call
formed by woman, presumably his
wife, that he was not in the city.
her Captain Arnold I was informed
that Mr. Virelli would call me up on
the telephone as soon as he returned
That is the last heard of the matter
II can state positively that this de-
tective department feels no jealousy
whatever towards the state depart
Inent, although there is great lack of
confidence here in the ability of De-
tective Virelli. This is not more than
natural when it is considered that he
was dropped from the special force un-
der charges of /cowardice, which has
been increased through subsequent ex-
periences on various cases with which
he has been associated with us.
1T has appeared as if work begun
by us had to certain extent been null
lifted after his coming into the cases.
We have always felt that from the
preliminary Investigation made by the
local body in the MarteIlo case, on
West avenue, December 10, a convic-
ton should have resulted, and in the
murder of Jennie Cavalieri of more
recent date, the only conviction which
resulted was made upon evedinece ac-
tuallyz secured through the efforts of
this department, later introduced into
court in the form OF a confession
Although we did this work, ard in
vestigated many other phases of the
to give any testimony whatsoever at
the trial. We have at all times offer
ed to work in harmony with the state
police and have on several occa-
sions told Vire11i not to mind me in
the least but to go right ahead on a
case without any fear of stepping on
assist in Investigations. they come to
think we should beg them to take up
the work, they are mistaken. The
fault lies rather on their side than on
ours, and in all fairness I invite any
man on the state police force other
than Virelli to come forward and say
that their relations with us have been
anything but the most pleasant.
Much as I regret having to make
this statement I believe that this at
tack has been inspired by Detective
n a.
tool of Mr.. Judson in this instance
SuHpt. Birmingham while reticent
Judson to the Board of Police Com
missioners, finally admitted that the
allegations made by Capt. Arnold with
reference to Detective Virellf having
were correct. He said:
I'VE have always given the State
department aid, and in fact have often
called upon Chief Egan to assign men
to assist the local force in ferreting
out mysteries which the equipment of
the department here lacked
There is absolutely no jealousy on
the part of the detective force against
the State department although there
is feeling against certain State
detective caused by observation of his
work in other murder cases investigat-
ed some time ago.
ST thoroughly believe that Capt Ar
mold is square man Incapable Of en-
where his official capacity is concern
ed
s'Mr Judson notified me that in GER
tain cases he wanted me to notify Of
ficer VireIli, and [ so instructed Cap
tain Arnold. I am informed that this
command has been carried out to the
letter.
81 do not care to discuss the per-
sona1 phases of this matter other than
to say that when an officer loses the
confidence of his fellows in the depart
ment it is his own fault. Equivoca-
tion has no place in police affairs
tCopt'nued an Page