The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-10
POLICE "LEAK''
 IN DEMARTIN0
 DEATH DENIED
Rigid Investigation Being Made By Police Heads Brings Geo. Fox in LimeIight.
Charles A. Pratt, Man Who Failed to Answer Coroner's Gall, Believed to Be Present Informant.

Intimations that there had been a '.1eak'' from police headquartersN dur ing the original investigation of John DeNIartino's death. during November, 1910, brought to the police department yesterday, caused general consterna- ton in the detective bureau.
 Of1ciaI notice was taken of the inti-. nations by Superintendent Eugene Birmingham and Captain George Ar hold, resulting in every detective be- ing called to account and closely qeus- tioned by the police heads.
 Though it was ascertained that De tective George Fox had been called to a West-end home and had there been asked indirect questions about the conduct of 8 person striking another by an automobile, he yesterday Irt- asked or informed St that time of the actual conditions surrounding the De- Mart1no death.
 A further grilIing is due today, as officials have declared they will ferret the matter to the very bottom, with the possibility that if the intirnattons are substantiated, charges may be brought against the officer.
 It is the belief of the department to- day that little credence may be. given the man believed to have made state ments published on Wednesday cons cerning the Siemon case, as it is as serted no witness known to have ip- formation of value to the police has been overlooked in Coroner John J. Phelan's inquest, except Charles A. Pratt, of IT Belmont Terrace, Spring field, Mass, formerly employed by Carl SieHnon, who was sought by the cor- .oner, and twice invited to attend the hearings by detective Cronan, who was unable to prevail upon him to come to this city. sEgT1r 1a-.S S4<- Al. nent in an endeavor to ferret out the. mystery at all times is asserted by dfftcikls thro1 ghout the departmen and that they will welcome any infor-s nation which may throw further light upon the subject is apparent from the rigorous inquiry that is today being made into the intimated leak
 Captain of Detectives Arnold ad- noitted today that he is continuing his tnvesti gationN and that information of 8 somewhat suspicious nature has been gained The exact details he refuses to make public on the ground that he desires to be absolutely fair with his men and not to unjust1y ac- cuse anyone. He admitted that he has been informed that man, nam ed to him as c. A. Pratt of Spring field, formerly of Bridgeport, tele- phoned to the police and desired1to talk with the man working on the DeNar- tino death.
 According to the information given to him and believed to have, come to him indirectly from MT. Pratt, De- tective Sergeant Fox answered the call and went to MT. Pratt's house. There, according to Captain Arnolds information the two talked for be- tween one and two hours. What the talk includedsis not known definitely but will be the basis of investigation. Captain Arnold says that Detective Sergeant Fox informs him that the man wanted information about pre- cedure in a fatal automobile case not mentioning names or details. At that with the DeMartino killing.
 Further information coming tc. po- lice headquarters indicates that MT. Pratt's non-appearance before Cor or1er Phelan and city court was on account of being dissatisfied with oo- lice procedure after he had. supposed that he had given the necessary in formation to detective.
 Superintendent of Police Birming- ham acknowledges that he has no authentic information concerning thesI case and has been leaving the inves- tigation to Captain Arnold. A re- port is expected later.
 Detective Sergeant George E. Fox denies absolutely the insinuations that he is guilty of any improper pro- cedure in the Siemon-DeMartino case. "I court the fullest investiga- uon," he said this morning. and T am confident that I can clear myself of any allegations unless there should be a 'frame-up' by enemies of which have no knowledge. At the proper time I am only too willing to tell anything I know of the case.'' .