Evening star., 1927-04-11
Handbook Makers Declared
to Get Advance Informa-
ton on Warrants.
CONFERENCE TODAY
WILL SEEK SOLUTION
Race Track Men Learn of Action
Before Papers Reach Pre-
cincts for Service.

A persistent leakage into gambling
circles OF advance information regard
ing handbook raids resulted today in
tho launching of an investigation by
the Police Department, it was learned
from highly reliable sources.
Police officials were to confer this
afternoon with the district attorneys
office with a. view to enlisting aid in
the move to "get to the bottom" Of
situation that has perplexed the au-
thorities for a long time.
The problem is known to have
reached G climax Saturday when 1t
was discovered that a person con-
nected with handbook establishments
learned of the issuance of a raid war
rant before the warrant itself had had
time to reach the police captain who
requested it.
Hesse and Gordon to Confer.
Maj. Edwin B. Hesse. superintend-
ent of police, was informed of this oc-
currence by Capt. Thaddeus Bean of
No. precinct, to whom the warrant
was issued at the office of Assistant
District Attorney Ralph Given.
1t was understood that Maj. Hesse
would confer some time today with
Maj. Peyton Gordon. Mr.. Given and
other court officials with a view to
enlisting their cooperation in the
probe. The integrity of no court or
police official is involved in the in
vestigation, it is pointed out, the
theory being that the leakage may
have resulted from a practice of
listening in" on audible conversa-
tions by "tipsters" dropping in casu-
ally at the warrant office.
Maj. Gordon, advised of the action
Of the police, expressed the opinion
today that if the police want to in
sure secrecy in warrant matters they
should apply TO the District attor-
ney's office with greater discretion
themselves. He said he had not been
approached with regard to the situa-
ton by Maj. Hesse. but that he
would be glad to discuss the matter
with him.
LOiterers Are Blamed.
Police officials are said to be of the
belief that "hangers-on" and other un-
authorized persons make a habit of
lettering around court corridors and in
the outer room of the district attor-
ney's office for the sole purpose of try
ing to Overhear information Of value TO
their handbook constituents" No
criticism is leveled at the district at.
torney's Office in this connection, II is
stated, because it is realized that these
persons, if questioned. would have a
ready reason to give for their presence
there.
The whole problem appears to sim
mer down to one of insuring secrecy
not only in the issuance of warrants,
but in applying for them. 1t may de.
that nj e -,
requested behind closed doors.
The case Saturday is known to have
amazed police officers. Particular care
had been taken in this instance TO
prevent any advance hint of the pro-
posed raid from becoming known.
and a trusted officer has been sent to
court for the warrant
Captain Is Astonished.
Before the officer returned TO the
police station, it is reported. a man
walked into Capt. Beams office and
announced:
Il understand you have warrant
out for such-and-such a place" (giv-
ing the correct address). Capt. Bean
was so surprised that he could
scarcely answer. truthfulIy enough,
that he didn't have any such war
rant. The man is said to have evaded
questions as to the source of his in
formation.
Capt. Bean at once got In touch with
Maj. Hesse, and the two are known to
have discussed the developments for
some time. The investigation was de-
cided on at that time.
Police authorities have been veXed
on more than one occasion during the
past few months by similar instances
of apparent leaks" The situation at
one time grew so serious that out of
town agents of the Department of JUS
tice We're imported by the district at
torney's office to assist in plans for a
big raid.
Mai Hesse's determination 10 clear
up this leakage is the latest step in
his drive to increase the efficiency OF
his department. He already has let il
be known that he shortly will add 10
men to the detective bureau, as pro-
vided for in the last appropriation act,
and other reorganizations are in
prospect.
Plans No Shake-Up.
There will be no shake.up of the
department" Mai. Hesse said today,
but there will be an effort made TO
pep up the whole detective force, not
only by the addition of new personnel.
but, if necessary. by the shifting of
those who are unable to measure up
to the standards of work and efficiency
laid down. Enlargement of the de-
tective force will be a vast step
toward efficiency. because 1t will serve
to relieve much of the congestion now
hampering the men in their work"
At the same time, the police super
intendent has announced his deter
mination to bring about a more rigid
enforcement Of the liquor laws in
Washington. He will resort To pad
lock methods to close near-beer and
other establishments which are found
to be frequent violators of the prohibi-
ton act. a rearrangement of per.
sonnel of police dry squads also may
hn triad