Omaha daily bee., 1919-06-08
Mr.. Ringer Attempts To
Justify Arrest and Brutal
Treatment of Mrs. Brown
In Signed Statement, in Which He Admits He Never
Questioned Injured Party or Her Son, He Says He
Will Not File Charges Against Accused Detectives
Statement Substantiates Conspiracy Charge.

Police Commissioner Ringer and
Chief of Police Eberstein yesterday
afternoon stated that from informa.
ton they had obtained in connection
with the arrest of Mrs. Thomas
Brown, SOB North \ Twenty-hrst
street, they are unable to see why
charges should be filed against De-
tecives Herdzina and Armstrong, tile
officers who so rudely took this
elderly woman from her home at
a. m. Thursday and threw her in
jail, denying her bond.
In fact, these police officials SUBJ
stantially give the detectives clean
bill. \,
The police commissioner and the
chief of police admitted that their
Investigations have been, limited to
the reports of the officers concerned
with the arrests of the party of men
and women at 2106 Cass street and
also at the Brown residence, and a
one-sided questioning of the three
women who are being held at the
City Detention home.
Both Mr.. Ringer and Mr.. Eber-
stein admitted tina they have not ell
deavored to obtain information from
Mrs. Brown, her son or their attor-
neys. 80,
Will Not Show Reports.
The police commissioner, who
holds the reports from the officers,
declined to allow newspaper men to
see those reports.
Are you going to file charges
against Herdzina or Armstrong;"
was asked of Chief Eberstein.
mot from the information that I
have at the present time" the chief
replied.
What about the arrest of Mrs.
Brown at her home without war
rant7"
THAT is legal question. I am not
a lawyer. Ask Mr.. Ringer here. He
knows the law on that"
Mr.. Ringer, who was present, said !:
"The officers asked Mrs. Brown if
she was in charge of the Cass street
place and she said she was and l
believe the officers were doing what
was right, although there may be
some technical point involved in that
matter"
II am sorry for Mrs. Brown"
added the chief, "but we have ev:-
dence to show that she knew what
was going on at the Cass street ad-
dress. All of the telephones of this
place are in the name of Mrs. Thorn
as Brown"
What about the refusal of bond
for Mrs. Brown at the police sta
tion?' was asked of the chief.
"We have evidence that Mrs
Brown did not want bond" he re-
piled.
Don't you know that Attorney
Lloyd Magney offered $4,000 in Lib
erty bonds for the release of Mrs.
Brown"
I'VE don't know that"
"In your Investigations Of the case
haven't you interviewed Mrs. Brown
or her SOM"
1--WE have not"
Will Not File Charges.
Commissioner Ringer was asked
il he inended to file charges against
Herdzina or Armstrong, and he re-
piled that he did not intend to.
The police commissioner and chief
expressed satisfaction with the work
of the officers who went to the home
of Mrs. Brown at 2 o'clock in the
and summoned the elderly
from her bed to go to
the police station, and then placed
her in an apartment of the Jail with
men, and otherwise subjected her to
such humiliation and cruel treatment
that it was necessary to send her to
a hospital.
Mr.. Ringers Statement.
Following is the, signed statement
IF Superintendent Ringer, based on
the statements of the two accused
detectives:
My investigation relative to the arrest