Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-14
Police Head Bows to Justice
OF Long Fight Of The Bee
Against Illegal Invasion Of
Homes.
SUTTON AND STOLEY
TWO OFFICERS LET OUT
Chief Finally Declares UnIaw-
full Raids Must Stop and
That "Citizens Have Some
RIGHTS"

Following numerous sensational
disclosures Of fragrant and unlawful
misdeeds on the part of members of
the police force by The Bee during
the past eight months. Chief Eber-
stein for the first time showed dis
position to recognize his duty by the
public in crisis yesterday, when he
suspended Detectives Paul Sutton
and L. H. Stoley for the part they
played in the alleged raid last Sat-
urday on the home of Nels A. Neh-
1een, 1928 Patrick avenue.
Without a warrant, authority or
provocation, Sutton and Stoley with
Detective Knudtson, Chauffeur
Warner and a patrolman, entered
the Nehleen residence, ransacked
the house from top to bottom, de-
stroyed food and shocked Mrs.
Nehleen, as result OF which she
still is confined to her bed and is
under the care of physician.
"Bonehead Work. He Says.
1T was coarse and boneheaded |
work" the chief declared. sutton
and Stoley have been on the force
long enough to, know better. ] will
not stand fof this rough work. Citi- |
gems have rights which | do not pro-
pose to nave my men violate"
Charges of conduct unbecoming an
officer have been filed against the
two men and will stand pending the
action of the city commission.
Just what view Commissioner
Ringer, who is out Of the city, will
take on the action of his chief of
police is not known. It is known,
however, that-1Sutton is favorite Of
the police commissioner, who has
strained many points, even to the ex-
tent of sacrificing himself, to save
Sutton for his misdeeds.
Stoley is one Of the detectives
said to have arrested 6. w. Clark,
= business man of high standing for
a quarter of a century of Union,
Neb., several days ago, and thrown
him in Jail on a charge Of vagrancy
where he was held prisoner for
three days without bond or an op-
portunity to communicate with any
one outside of the city Jail.
Other Officers Not Let Out.
Chief Eberstein announced, he
the two men following a
investigation. He does
not explain, however, why Knudtson
was not suspended also.
Mr.. Nehleen went direct to the
.ity hall to complain against the
humiliation and embarrassment to
which he and his family had been
subjected, upon leaving The Bee Of
ice.
II. told the chief the story just
IS I told it to you," he declared.
II do not believe what you say
n regard to the behavior Of my
men," Chief Eberstein is quoted as
'eplying to Mr.. Nehleen.
II did not come here to ask you
c suspend or discharge these men,"
Mr.. Nehleen declared he said to
he chief. II did come hefe though,
With the idea that my statement
would not be branded as false"
Mr.. Nehleen convinced Chief
5berstein, he asserted, that he not
,nly had the members ofhis family
Is witnesses, but number of neigh
,ors saw the affair and would sub
tantiate his statement.
Investigating Robbery. 4
The detectives who raided the
Iehleen home were sent from Gen.
raj station to investigate report to
he effect that grocery delivery
10Y had been held up in the vicinity.
They declared they had obtained an
Untrue report that the grocery boy ,
made a delivery at the Nehleen resi-
lence just before he was robbed. ;
This is the only explanation the
,ficers were able to offer for their
Unlawful entrance and search of the
iouse. Mrs. Nchleen was taking a
,ath in the room into which two of
he officers thrust their way. She
eized some of her clothing and fed
nto the front room and for half an
TOUR the woman was forced to stand
hielding herself behind a curtain
While the men searched the room
nd every corner of the house. IL
Probing Clark Case.
Chief Eberstein also manifested an
interest in Mr.. Clark's unlawful ar.
est last Wednesday and the mans {
ubsequent abuse while illegally held
prisoner in the city Jail for three =,
lays. He declared he would insti- It
rte prcbe Immediately in order to
btain all of the facts. *
To Intern Communists.
Budapest. Dec. 13.-The intern r