Evening star., 1928-04-08
Cite Law Making Trial Board
Findings Final Unless
Staples Files Appeal.
OTHER OFFICERS HOPE
TO SUE FOR DAMAGES
Colleague of Texan Reported Pre-
pairing Bill to Dock" Him for
Time Spent on Case.

case Of Policeman Orville Staples over
again before the board Of District Com
missioners met with a prompt rebuff
yesterday afternoon from the Commits
sioners themselves.
Blanton's announcement that he
would have the case tried anew before
the Commissioners followed the dis
closure Of the verdict Of the police trial
board that Staples was guilty on 8 Of
the 13 specific charges on which he
was tried. Dismissal from the police
force was the sentence prescribed for
the policeman.
Cannot Retry Case.
The Commissioners held that they
could not, without violating the Law.
retry the case, and made it plain that
they proposed TO follow the usual pro-
cedure in such cases and review the
findings Of the trial board should Sta
Piles file an appeal from its decision.
The findings Of the trial board are
final and conclusive" the CommiS-
sioners wrote Mr.. Blanton. unless an
appeal in writing therefrom Is made IN
five days"
The Commissioners also explained
that they have the power to reduce or
modify the finding or penalty Of the
trial board or remand the case to the
trial board for such further proceedings
as they may deem necessary. but that
they have no authority under the law
TO reopen the case themselves.
Mr.. Blanton made known his plans
TO have the Commissioners retry the
case in statement which declared that
the conviction Of Staples Is positive
proof that the policeman was framed"
Other Developments Seen.
Aside from losing the Staples cass
there were other important develop
mentS during the day which visaIly
concerned MFR. Blanton. A report enna-
mated from q reliable source at the
Capitol that one Of his colleagues on
the House District committee has pre-
pared resolution for introduction IN
Congress to withdraw from the Texans
$4,000 annual salary. the proportionsts
amount covering the 10 days he was
absent from Congress defending Staples
before the trial board. This portion OF
his salary, viii approximate $3.50.
Last night Chapman W. Fowler.
counsel for Policemen Frederick A
Schenck and Joseph A. Hunt an
nounced that he planned 70 file suits
for damages against Mr.. Blanton, pro-
yiding the Representative has no claim
to immunity, and he believes that he
does not while outside Of the Capitol
These two officers charge that Mr..
Blanton repeatedly Slandered them
during the Staples trial The amount
70 be asked by each of the officers, Mr..
Fowler said. has not been determined
Stln another matter which concerned
Mr.. Blanton was the action Of Mai.
Edwin B. HeSSe, superintendent Of po-
lice. in citing Motorcycle Policeman
Dalton Z. Gahmore 70 appear before
the trial board Thursday 20 answer q
charge Of making a false report 10 a
superior offcer.
Three Versions Cited.
Galimore, according 70 Mai HeSSs.
has given three different versions OF
3 report that he stopped Mr.. Blanton
for speeding on Sherman avenue, and
ne wants the trial board TO determine
which one is correct
Under the provisions Of an act "
Congress, approved June s. 1905 tU. 8
Stats. Vol "a. page 222l. IL is provided
that the findings Of the police trial
board shall be finsl and conclusive tnl-
less appeal in writing therefrcrn is made
within i've days 70 the Commissioners
Of the District Of Columbia" said the
Commissioners letter TO BlantOn. mo
tlce q the finding Of the trial board
was delivered 70 Pvt. Staples this day.
IN the event that Pvt. Staples desires 20
appear. the Law provides that such an
peal shan be made in writing within
rlFe days. Under the provisions Of Sec
tlon o. chapter IL of the manual of
the Metropolitan Police Department ,x
the District Of Columbia. it is provided
tnat these fixe days shall be exclusive
of Sundays and legal holidays.
Under the provisions Of the law
aoove quoted, the hearings on appeal
may oe submitted either orally or N
writing and the decision Of the Com
nalSSlonerS thereon shall be final and
conclusive, II Is further provided in
said hw. that the Commissioners Shkn
not DC required. III their review of tne
sentence and flnding Of the trial board
20 take evidence either oral written or
documentary. and the Commissioners
nave the power 20 reduce or modify the
nnalnS or penalty Of the trial hoard or
the case 20 the trial Noard for
s0ch f0rther proceedings as they may
deem necessary
Case Discussed Lenx.
In the event that an appeal is
IASen oy PVT Staples the CcEamiSSicn-
srS wtn determine az the earliest prae-
ucAole date what further pToceedlnSS
VII De had ON such appeal"
The commissioners spent consider
aele time discussing the Staples case
after the verdict OF the trial aNard
vas submitted to them ey Chairman
William " Wahty The letSeF 70 Mr..
Was the lone product of the
conference. although Il had
eeen indicated earlier In ths day that
formal statement might be issued
With respect b the trial hoardS deci~
don
The Commissioners. IL was announced.
Ath take no further action untn Mr.,
slanton ncti1eS them whether ne MT
lends 20 appeal from the trial ecar1N
ieciSAon, And as indicated In then
etter To the Representative, the pro-
'eduge 20 be followed Will then ee de-
eEmined,
nectSlon It's Pr0al fasGtlve."
Mr. Rlaneoa issued his statement
'oen after he had eeea tntogfned OF
he trial boards verdict II read aS
ollowS.
This decision Is procf positive OF INV
antentlon that staples has been framed.
"tl With false evidence deliberately
By prostitutes. gamblers
nd hootleggerS. melted 10 10 50 hy
rocked policemen. the sole purpose and
atent ot which vas 60 ruin StapleEf
ean0ve him from the tOrce. punish hh&
eF testtfying eefpTe eengressianal cclg1
tcOnainned on Raee 1. Cehamn ~