Evening star., 1927-10-26
.HESSE LAUNCHES
BRIBERY INQUIRY
Arrest of Two PatroImen on
Charge of Taking Money
Leads to. Probe.

! Police today are investigating
! further alleged operations of Patrol
! men Ralph Gilbert Blasey and Robert
! Luther Smith, members Of the fifth
precinct command arrested yesterday
afternoon on a charge of accepting a
$50 hribe in liquor case, Maj. Edwin
B. Hesse, superintendent of police, an
nounced this morning.
The young ofiicers-Blasey Is 25 and
Smith 27-were suspended and re-
iieved of their equipment when taken
in custody by detectives as the result
of a report by Claude Eewsom. col
ored. 209 Virginia avenue southeast
who called upon Maj. Hesse yesterday
and told of an alleged conversation
with Smith and BlaseY about DISPOSE
ton of his car that was seized with
liquor in it. The owner said he was
not in the car at the time OF seizure,
two other colored men being it's occu
pants.
Trap Is Planned.
It was asserted by Newsom that the
policemen agreed TO arrange the re-
turn Of his car and to forget" about
it's two occupants upon payment of
$50. NewSoms S story was repeated to
Inspector Henry G. Pratt. chief of de-
tectives. and the two officials laid
trap for the policemen should they
appear.
Sergt. Charles c. Wise. detailed In
charge of the central bureau at head
quarters: Detective c. J. p. Weber
and Policeman Paul Sullivan, mem.
ber of the office force. were told of
the investigation and it was arranged
Blasey and Smith meet Newsom az
Virginia avenue and Second street
southeast yesterday afternoon.
Newson was on hand at the appoint.
ed time, Policemen Smith and Blasey
appearing shortly afterward, and the
trio moved to the vicinity of a near
beer saloon on the corner, the shrub
berry hiding them from view of the
watchers. Presently Newson removed
his hat and wiped his forehead with
his handkerchief. signal he was to
give if the money was accepted. Then
Sergt. Wise. Detective Weber and
Policeman Sullivan surprised Blasey
and Smith. placed them under arrest
and escorted them to the fifth pre-.
cinct station.
II know what this Is all about"
Seret. Wise, removing his cap and
taking a $50 bill from the sweatband.
Both Are Silent
Asked If they wanted to make state
ments, the accused policemen respond
ed in the negative. Shortly after they
were booked on charges of having ac-
cepted bribe. the policemen were re-
leased on $4,000 bond each.
In Police Court this morning the
charge was changed to blackmail and
bond of each Of the accused was fixed
at S2.500.
It is stated by police that the ac-
cused officers have been active against
persons suspected of hauling liquor
and in several instances, it is stated,
they seized liquor, but made no ar
rests in connection with the seizures.
Maj. Hesse this morning said he
had received a report from a colored
man Interested in the liquor traffic to
the effect that he had given up $50
to prevent being prosecuted. The
colored man, according to the superin-
tendent of police. said the policemen
visited his place and took four cases
Of liquor, leaving 20 cases on the
premises.
Mai. Hesse said the statement Of
the colored man was that three cases
Of the liquor reached the police sta
ton, and later, he stated. he paid the
$50 to avoid prosecution.
Two hours before the policemen We're
arrested they took into custody Will
liam l.. Osborne. % years old, 1922
Shannon place southeast. and charged
him with illegal possession and trans
porting liquor. They reported the
seizure Of 96 quarts of whisky and an
automobile in connection with the ar
rest.
Blasey a native OF Maryland and
son of a policeman, was appointed TO
the force in December. 1924. while
Smith, native of Virginia. has been
a member Of the force since 1922. The
former lives at CAB Ninth street north.
east and the latter at 800 r street
northeast.