Evening journal., 1916-05-08
AUIO|STS BATTLE
baltimore Police
PatrOlman Brushed Elbows
With Car Owner, Started
Suicide Story
THEN WILMINGTONIAN
SLIPPED FROM "COP"
The BaltImore sun today says.

Inc baltlmofe sun To-Day says.
Patrolman Guinan almost stepped
on tue toes Of a man he was looking
for in the Hotel Belvedere yesterday,
missed him and started a rumor of
probable suicide that brought much
hilarity. In 10 minutes things oc-
cured so suddonly-and swiftly right
under the patrolman's nose that he
became bewildered
The little comedy started when
Guinan was passing along Chase
street between st. Paul and Charles,
and saw a big touring car standing
In the entrance to the alley that runs
by the rear of the Bolvedere Hotel.
He recalled that the car had been
there Saturday afternoon and night
He learned that Il had been stationed
about "a hours in that spot
On the machine was Delaware
license Guinan figured that it must
he from Wilmington, and he was as
sured that such was the case by one
of the employees Of the Bclyedere
Tho policeman went into the hotel
and asked the clerk If there was an
automobile party from Wilmington
stopping al the hotel He was told
there was There were six persons
In the party.
And Nlelds SirOlled Away.
That's the party I'm looking for,
said the patrolman. Their automo-
bile has been out there on the street
now for "a hours, and that's against
the law. ] shall have to get them"
AS he made this statement, James
r. Nields. OF Wilmington, owner Of
tho car in question, was standing be-
side the patrolman lie had just paid
his bill and was about to go out and
get his car. Gulnan was standing so
close to the man he had come in search
Of that their elbows almost touched.
Mr.. Nields strolled away from the ho-
.el desk as If he had not a Bit of in
.erest in the natter. The patrolman
insisted on seeing the register. and
there. sure enough. were the names Of
a party of six from Wilmington oc-
cupying three adjoining rooms
Guinan called the room OF Mr.
Nields. and got no answer He in
sisted that the operator continue TO
ring the telephone bell No answer.
The patrolman then racked his brain
and came to the conclusion that there
was something wrong in the room He
asked II there was a gas iet-in there.
and when told there was not. said an
Investigation had better be made, as
the occupants might have hung them
selves with the bed clothing
Told an investigation Would he
made, he went to the Ciningroom door
to look over the guests assembled
there. No sooner had he turned his
back than Mr. Nields summoned his
wife. Doctor and Mrs. William Dray-
ton. Jr.. and Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Diss-
ton. of Philadelphia. laid the case be-
fore them in a few words and gave
hurried directions.
Then the Getaway.
Mr. Nields then rushed out. got his
engine started with some difficulty.
pulled down the alley to Biddle street
and then ran the car to st. Paul and
Chase streets There we're waiting
the other members Of the party and
they all got aboard. The car sped
away
Patrolman Guinan finally came to
the door Of the hotel and cast his eyes
10 where the car had stood for nearly
"a hours. The car was gone No one
WAS around who would tell him what
had happened. He got busy anew In
his search, anxious to inform the v'si.
tors that their car had been stolen.
He located members Of second VIII.
mington party, figured that his search
was ended and was about to take them
to the police station. He was amaz-
ed to learn that the automobile Of
this party was checked in a garage
near the hotel.