Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-09
EXPECT To |ND|CT
Z POLICE GRAFTERS
D. C. Officials Send Eleven
Witnesses Before the
Grand Jury.
INQUISITORS HEAR SIX;
EVIDENCE is CLINCHING
Voluntary Testimony 0ffered--"Go-
Between" May Be Produced-No
More Suspensions Contemplated.

More Suspensions Contemplated.
Two indictments in the police graft
inquiry are expected within a few
hours.
Eleven witnesses against two police
officers were taken before the grand
jury this morning, and the cases made
out were said to be complete. warrant
ing immediate indictments.
Only six of the eleven witnesses were
heard, the jury concluding that the
testimony of two Of the principal wit
nesses was enough to act upon. In ad-
dition. a voluntary witness offered him.
self 20 the assistant United States attor-
ney today through Spencer Roberts. po-
liceman in the second precinct.
Policeman Roberts took the man to
the courthouse, where he told Assistant
United States Attorney Hawken that
he was willing to swear to information
concerning police officers outside of the
fourth precinct. Up to this time the
inquiry has not turned up any definite
or indictable information outside Of
the fourth precinct.
Every possible precaution was taken
today to prevent leaks from the grand
jury room. and there was an air of
However, it can be stated that the two
important witnesses who were found
Saturday night and locked up for safe
keeping. one in Jail and the other in a
station house, furnished the principal
evidence. These men are Edward Bran
son. colored, and Thomas Horan, bar
tender.
Evidence Is Clinching.
The evidence before the jury is of
such clinching nature, it is claimed, as
to preclude all necessity for wanting
either Margaret Stout or former Detec-
tive Raymond o. Kleindienst before the
jury. Officials who spoke Of the mat
ter today said the testimony is almost
self-evident. They were so positive
about the matter that one Of them was
asked:
Does the evidence of bribery or graft
| consist of checks?"
NO" was the reply. NO checks are
| in evidence as far as 1 know, but the
testimony is as good as check, I
| think"
The reply led to discussion around
the courthouse. and 1t was intimated
| that a portion of the Conclusive evil
| dence" would be the producing of some
man who had been a "go-between."
| 1t leaked out today that there are
persons ready to charge that there was
the days before the "division" was
| closed up, the money supposed to
| change hands on account of the police
policy of keeping women out of dis
orderly houses unless passed upon by
the police themselves. In other words,
the policy was to keep from entering
| these houses girls who had never been
| in one previously.
The police had to pass on these girls
| and it would have been possible for a
policeman in one precinct to certify
to another precinct that girl was
eligible to enter a disorderly house
under that policy.
A police official today hinted that
sometimes it would be a very valuable
| thing for a proprietor Of disorderly
house to be able to buy a police pass"
on some girl.
Kind Of Indictments.
Whether the indictments will be for
bribery, conspiracy or attempts to
today. It is understood. however, that
there has been talk of the possibility
of conspiracy as the basis of legal
report certain violations of the law
they could be indicted for conspiracy,
said prominent police official who was
in conference at the district attorneys
Office today.
Capt. George H. Williams of the
fourth precinct was called upon by the
district attorneys Office today. but did
not appear as a witness before the
grand jury up to a late hour.
Mai. Pullman, superintendent of po-
lice, was asked today whether there
would be any further suspensions on
account of the new information obtain
ed Saturday night: He said there would
be none. His reply, together with de-
velopments before the grand jury, in
dicates that the new information con-
Germs a policeman or policemen who
are not now connected actively with
the force.
Kleindienst Visits City Sunday.
Former Detective Kleindienst, who
is employed in Wilmington, Del, yes
terday visited relatives in this city, |
having come on an excursion train in
the morning. He was accompanied by
sister and niece when he appeared
at Union station last night to board |
the excursion train on his return trip.
Approaching Detective Fred M. Corn |
well, who was on duty in the station, |
Kleindienst inquired: DO you want |
of the gossip about his being away |
from the city and wanted to know II |
he were wanted for any purpose. De-
tective Cornwell informed him, that he
knew nothing of his being wanted.
Kleindienst said he went to Whining
ton and obtained employment, because |
he had been unable to get employment |!
in this city; that he went there with |
permission of his bondsman,s and that
he intended to remain until the Court |
Of Appeals passes on his case in the
fall.
Amused at Graft Stories.
The former detective seemed amused
at the stories of graft in the police de-
partment. 1t is stated. and said he
thought Margaret Stout was only play
ing for sympathy.
Under the terms Of the ffty-one-
hundred-dollar bond given for the ap-
pearance of Kleindienst, it is stated,
he is at liberty to go where he pleases,
He has only his bondsman to satisfy.
it is stated. and should he be wanted
as witness in the graft inquiry he
would have to be summoned in the
usual manner.
italian Reservists Still Going Home.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, August 81
Scores Of Italian reservists are leaving
this citv eyery day for New York whAre |