Evening star., 1928-03-14
Police Head, Facing BIanton,
Refutes Charges of Lax
Law Enforcement.
PRECINCT CHIEF ADMITS
USE OF LIQUOR IN HOME
Legislator Says Surerintendent's S
"Manncrisms" Show Infu-
encc of Rum.

ence IN the caucus room OF the House
Office Building, Maj. Edwin B. Hesse
superintendent Of police. today denied
Blanton's charges that he had drinking
habits" and that he had been lax in en-
forcing laws against gamblers and boo.-
leggers.
His denial was followed by an ad-
mission by Capt. Charles H. Bremen
man, OF the fourth precinct. that he
had drunk liquor In his home, but that
1t had been prescribed for him when
he was feeling bad" Bremerman vigor-
ous!y denied charges of several previous
witnesses that he had obstructed law
enforcement In his precinct.
Maj Hesse, his face flushed, listened
intently while Blanton recounted to the
Gibson investigating committee "numcr-
Gus" instances when he said he had
detected the odor of liquor on the po-
lice superintendents breath. The Texan
described "mannerisms" which, he de-
clared. showed plainly that HesSe was
under the influence OF liquor while on
duty.
Asks Fair Hearing.
Hesse taking the stand in response
questions" Said he had no questions TO
PROFOUND, but that he wished to deny
absolutely the charges made by Blan-
ton and TO demand a full and fair
hearing before any authorized body.
where he would have the right to
present witnesses in his own defense.
He declared his police record spoke
for itself" as to whether he had been
diligent in enforcing the law.
Sensational testimony involving al
legged efforts of Capt. Bremerman TO
prevent his men from rigidly enforc-
Ing gambling and liquor laws In his
precinct was given the committee by
Policemen AltuS Moore, W. E. Lawson
and +. B. T. Morrow, formerly men,
bers Of Capt. Bremerman's command.
Bremerman took the stand TO deny
these allegations and filed with the COM
mittee a statement showing his precinct
had made 6sl arrests In the past year
In such cases.
Z During the course OF the hearing
Blanton declared he intended TO see
that the Washington police force Is
cized the Washington Board of Trade
for interfering In the efforts of Con-
greSs" 10 bring about reform In the
Police Department.
Hits Trade Officials.
Blanton declared that the. Board of
Trade members ct the entertainment
committee, who drank with Maj. Hess,
don't think that a Congressman has
any right to meddle In Washington's
affairs"
A suggestion of Representative HAM
n1er OF North Carolina, that certain
testimony given the committee previous
ly by Inspector Albert j. Headiey, and
purporting to blame the district at
torneys office for failure TO prosecute
certain bootleggers. be turned over To-
the Senate committee considering the
nomination OF Maj. Peyton Gordon for
the District Supreme Court created a
stir
Blanton said 1t would be useless" TO
try TO stop Gordon's appointment, be-
cause "the bar association Is behind
him." and he said. further. that he did
not think the House should interfere In
matters pending before the Senate
Chairman Gibson of Vermont said he
would give a transcript OF Headley's tcs-
timony TO the District Commissioners.
Blanton intcriected: Don't give the
testimony TO that McQuade grand jury"
8, Again Accuses Hesse.
Blanton, In beginning his recital OF
occasions on which he had found Maj.
Hesse smelling OF liquor" declared
that all OF the times he had visited the
police superintendent In his once at
the District Building there had been
but two occasions when he did not de-
tect the odor OF whisky.
Il have noticed certain popularity
about Maj. Hesse when he Is drinking"
Blanton said. HE has habit OF point
ing his finger and shaking II. like this"
Mr.. Hammer. noting RlAnton'S DEM
onstration. remarked that the gesture
seemed To be natural one and he did
not think II proved anything,
One time when went TO Mai Hesse
TO see him about bootlegging and book
making establishments. which were
hourishing In the District. and about re-
ports that these establishments were
being tipped on and that their owners
were allotted To get of with small fincs
and reopen right away. saw that Mai.
Hesse had been drinking" Blanton as
kefted
Blanton detailed haif-a dozen other
visits TO Hesse's once during which he
found him TO have been drinking"
said II Was Medicine"
II discussed these things with men,
bers OF the committee" Blanton said,
and | went to Maj. iIease and talked
frankly with him about what people
were saying lie told me it was medi-
cine that | smeiled. and / told him l
was old enough 10 know when man
had been drinking. told him l had
been informed he had been drinking
In the Number Ten Club, and he stop
ped doing that, and appreciate that.
] told him he was under the influence
OF liquor right then"
hianton' related a conversation with
Chairman Gibson about year ago re-
garding Hesse's alleged intemperate
napilss lie said citizen had COM
CONTINUED on Page T. Column 81
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