Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-28
EVIDENCE OF BUNGLING
 OF NEW YORK POLICE
Brought Out at Investigation Result
 ing From Cruger Murder.

New York, June 27.-Additional ev- l idence of police bungling in the search | for Ruth Cruger. murdered high school l student, was brought out today at the | investigation, Leonard M. Wallstein | commissioner of accounts, is conduct | ing, by order of Mayor Mitchell to fix I responsibility for police failure to find the body which was hidden in the cellar of Alfredo CocchPs bicycle shop Admission was wrung from Lieu tenant Francis A. Stainkamp, of the fourth branch detective bureau, where the case was handled, that although was made by Alfred M. Brown, a friend of the Cruger family, at mid night, February 13 he had entered 1t in the complaint book as having been 1 made February IA at 9:45 a. m. A False Entry. Isn't this a false entry?" demand . ed the commissioner Tt is," Stainkamp replied. Then why did you do it?" Because I got the report at that time when I went on duty" But it is a false entry isn't it?" Commissioner Wallstein insisted. Yes, it is," the police lieutenant ad- mitted
 As result of the delayed entry, it was brought out, Detective Sergeant John Lagarenne was not assigned to the case until p. m., February IA.
 Contradictory Testimony.
 Detective Sergeant Edward Willi, who took a description of Miss Cruger from MT. and Mrs. Brown when they visited the branch bureau at midnight, February 13, denied the testimony of Police Lieutenant Brown carrier in the day that he had been told to aid Miss Crugers friends in the search. WillFs s police record of eleven years contained eight charges against him, it was brought out at the inquiry, one of which involved IA year old girl.
 Lieutenant Stainkamp was asked by the commissioner if Detective Will had informed him why the case had not been entered in the complaint book
 T am not sure whether he did or not" he replied.
 Did he tell you anything about the case?"
 He said something about telephon- ing MT. Cruger to find out whether the girl had returned home, the lieu tenant said.
 Tn other words it was not until the following morning that police ac tion was started on the case?" MT. Wallstein asked.
 "I couldn't say as to that"
 T mean as far as you know"
 "Yes, as far as I know" StainAamp answered.
 Police Showed No Eagerness.
 Mrs. Alma Brown, who accompanied her husband to the branch bureau to ask for immediate search for Miss Crugcr in the hospitals, the morgue and police stations, testified that the police showed no eagerness ito do 
 Lagarenne to be Tried.
 Arthur Wood, police commissioner, informed Commissioner Wallstein to- day that Detective Sergeant Lagarenne would be tried for neglect of duty.
 T hope that you will at once send me further evidence, if you find it, he wrote, against other members of the force who may have been guilty of neglect in the case. The big ma jority of the force as well as myself, want to know whether anyone has been guilty of dishonesty in this case pr has in any way protected a crim- Inal.'
 Woods Conferred With Mrs. Humiston. 1
 Commissioner Woods had a con ference tonight with Mrs. Grace Hum | ston and the Cruger family's private | detectives. It was announced the con ference was held with a view to the | future"