The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-10-31

=Ex-Agent Tells Of Charges
Davis Made to Him
Against Officer.

- + 37. i
]. n. Iilton, former prohibition
agent, scored feg he former assoc
niatas 81 today before
the special Police Trial Board in
the Sixth precinct station house,
where Lieut.. o. T. Davis, head of
the police vice squad. is being
tried on charges of irregularities.
Tilton told the board that
Davis, last May or June, in the
Second precinct station, had made
remarks damaging to the char
acter of Ralph E. Ruby, Clark H.
Packard, and George Fowler, jr.,
dry workers, who, after suspen-
sion, filed counter-charges against
the vice squad members.
Told Him Ruby Ran Liquor.
Tilton said Davis told him that Ruby
had been a notorious bootlegger and
was occasionally running in liquor
to Washington. He testified also
that Davis said Ruby had been send
ing prohibition agents on certain
roads at night and notifying boot
leggers Of routes they might use
without danger Of arrest.
Davis Alleged Story.
Tilton declared Davis told him
this story:
One night certain prohibition
agents were sent from the Washing.
ton office to guard the Baltimore
pike. Instead, they went to the
Leonardtown pike. AS a result of
this change, they captured three
automobiles. One Of the agents
who participated in the capture was
soon transferred to an obscure post
in South Carolina, on Ruby's recon-
mendation.
Triton said he knew Davis dis.
liked Ruby. He stated Davis spoke
Of his intention to take action in
the matter, bringing conditions in
the prohibition unit to the attention
Of Commissioner James F. Oyster
and even to the doors of Congress.
Charge Against Fowler.
Tilton's testimony as to Davis
alleged statements concerning George
Fowler, jr., was substantially as
follows:
Davis said he knew Fowler had
brought into the District a confis
Gated automobile, with no intention
to turning over the machine to tho
proper authorities. Davis said
Fowler patrolled roads leading into
the District to warn bootleggers OF
else piloted liquor cars safely u
Washington. Davis told Tilton that
Private H. c. Bauer, attached tc
the vice squad at the time, mad
ell II a
Davis declared further that Fow
Ter had several ingenious excuses
for failing to arrest bootleggers or
roads, among them being faxed
disability of his automobile.
Cites Financial Difficulties.
Davis, according to Tilton, said
that Agent Clark H. Packard was
always borrowing money and seldom
had any until he went on duty in
Virginia with an agent no longer
connected with the dry forces. After
this assignment, 1t was alleged by
Davis, according to the witness,
Packard became visibIy affluent.
On cross-examination by T. Morris
Wampler, attorney for Davis, Triton
said he had no personal knowledge
of the charges alleged to have beer
made to him by Davis. Tilton stated
he had not considered the statements
sufficiently important to make a for
NAL report to his superiors.
TiIton declared he had been in the
Internal Revenue Bureau for four
years, and had voluntarily resigned
from duty in the prohibition unif
He said he lived in the Ontario
apartments, had no interest in the
case and was testifying voluntarily
at the request of prohibition Off
Gals: 1t is expected the trial viii
| end late. today.