Evening star., 1926-06-05
HEADLEY DECLARES
HE DECLINED TO Be
TRAFFIC DIRECTOR
Denoted Inspector Tells Fem
ming Committee He Wanted
to Save Pension.
DENIES HE HAS REFUSED
ELDRIDGE COOPERATION
Captain Demands Voice at Hearing
After Letter Is Published-Ses-
sion May End Today.

Demanding a hearing in reply to
the charges made against him by
Traffic Director Eldridge as embodied
in confidential memorandum to
Commissioner Frederick A. Fenning,
which was introduced at last nights
session of the House judiciary sub
committee. Capt. Albert J. Headley
denoted inpector of the Traffic
Bureau appeared before the commit
tee this afternoon and emphatically
denied that he had not co-operated
with Mr.. Eldridge.
Capt. IIeadley's statement was made
in answer to the charges as reported
In the morning newspapers. He be-
gan his statement by declaring, This
is the first knowledge ! ever had that
charges had been preferred against
me. For my own protection 1t is
necessary for me to answer them and
in 80 doing l will step on dangerous
ground"
Declined to BE Director.
He then declared that when the
Chamber Of Commerce, at the request
of the Commissioners, was selecting
a traffic director, he was called on the
telephone by Rudolph Jose and told
he had been selected by n vote Of
TO 3. Capt. Headley refused the offer.
declaring he could not afford to give
up 80 years service in the police de-
partment and lose his pension.
Il was satisfied with my own job"
he declared.
This was offered to disprove the
charge that, because he did not be-
come traffic director, he deliberately
refused to cooperate with Mr.. Ed
ridge.
Referring to the statement that no
offer, of fioodlights for the Knicker-
booker disaster was made by Capt.
Headley, the officer declared the first
he knew of the disaster was at 9
o'clock the following day.
II did not refuse any lights and I
did not know of the necessity for
them" he declared.
Business Through Majors Office.
Mr. Eldridge's impression that he
would not cooperate evidently is
gathered, Capt. Headley said. from
the fact that the superintendent Of
police had issued orders that all Off
GERS must transact business with the
traffic director through the major of
police.
THAT prevented me from taking up
directly with Mr. Eldridge all matters
of business. and ] was required to
transact them through the superin-
| tendent of police" Capt. Headley de-
clared.
Never Changed Signs.
Capt. Headley asserted he never
changed any traffic signs. as was
charged by Mr.. EldridCe. and added
that until they are imbedded in CON
crete foundations they always will be
changed. He recalled he accompanied
Mr.. Eldridee on an inspection and
they both found the signs had been
switched about.
AS to the matter of his acting as a
Judge" in settling differences among
motorists in collisions. Capt. Headley
said he was carrying out an order Is.
sued several years ago by Maj. Pull
man, then superintendent of police.
This custom is in vogue in all princi-
pal cities and thousands of times. he
said. he has gotten together with
principals in collisions and accidents
to avoid Police Court procedure.
Capt. Headley recalled where he
was requested by Mr.. Eldridge IL
issue a permit 10 a minor who was
under the 16-year minimum age as
provided by the regulations. Mr..
Eldridge brought the boys father.
y
tuition, to the Traffic Bureau and re-
quested the operators permit
Il was embarrassed by the request
because it was in violation of the
law and 1 was employed to break
up such practices" he declared, add
ing the permit was not issued.
Restored Permit to Brother.
On another occasion. Capt Headley
said, he restored permit to Mr..
Eldridge's brother. The permit had
been revoked "for good reasons" and
later. when the man was arrested,
the officer declared. he assisted him
in obtaining the release.
There was no occasion for his
uttering unprintable words about
Mai. Holcomb, Ringgold Hart or Mr..
Eldridge, he declared. The first two
mentioned We're members of the
traffic committee with him and al
though they had differences they
managed to settle them when voting
time arrived.
Services rendered by the Traffic
Bureau at the time of the Shrine
convention are still in evidence, Capt.
Headley declared, explaining that the
money allotted him for signs was
expended and the signs today are in
place. Inc CIldTSe WAS Hlduo lAdl
Capt. Headley did not cooperate or
assist at the time Of the Shrine con-
vention.
Eldridge Statement Recalled.
AS an afterthought to his state
ment, Capt. Headley recalled that on
July 21 of last year. when he was
deep in sorrow through death in his
family, Mr. Eldridge told him: Il am
awful sorry; I did not have anything
to do with your demotion.' This
statement was made in the presence
of Detectives Kelley and Scrivener.
Capt. Headley declared.
Since his demotion he has refused
to discuss it in public until today, he
said. Last Fall "a prominent news
paper man" called upon him and
asked for his version of the incident,
explaining that Mr.. Eldridge had
issued statement. Capt. Headley
said he did not even inquire into the
nature of the reported statement.
The committee recessed at O'Clock
and Capt. Headley was requested to
return this afternoon in order that
Representative Yates, Republican,
Illinois, a member, could examine the
officer Mr.. Eldridge, who was in
attendance at the morning session,
also was requested to return at that
hour.
The case of Commissioner Fen
ming. against whom impeachment
CONTINUED on Page .. Column 4)