Evening star., 1928-04-02
SCHENCK DENIES
THAT HE PLOTTED
TO FRAME STAPLES
Policeman Engages in Bitter
Clash With BIanton Be-
fore Trial Board.
REFUSES TO ANSWER
QUERY ON ACTIVITIES
Wins Approval of Action in De-
clining to Say Where He
Was in 1917.

Pouceman FREDERICK L. Schenck OF
the third precinct, charged by Repre-
sentative Blanton Of Texas. with being
one OF those who framed" Policeman
Orville Staples, faced his accuser today
at dramatic session before the Police
Trial Board.
During the turmoil caused by the
merciless examination Of the police
ofiicer, Blanton told him, in the face of
sweeping denials. that he was accusing
him Of arson in connection with the
burning Of his car and further charged
Schenck with having a knowledge of q
recent attempt made to shoot Policeman
Staples from ambush. At one tense
moment during the examination. Blan-
ton ordered the policeman TO produce
his revolver in court. He turned it over
to Detective Charles P. Weber to ex-
anime it. Weber took out the cartridges
and said the gun was clean except for
little dust.
do you know that this gun could
have been fired 10 minutes ago and
ton demanded TO Schenck.
NO" Schenck replied.
Refuses to Answer Questions.
Several days before Mr.. Blanton Lad
an ordnance expert testify that a gun
could be fired and cleaned so that no
one could detect 10 minutes later that
bullet had been fred from Il
Blanton's examination Of the wit
ness, who refused point blank a dozen
times 70 tell Staples counsel anything
at all concerning his activities during
the wartime period of 1877 1913, was
marked by frequent clashes and at
times threatened disorder by the spec
tators. The Police Trial Board sided
with Schenck in his refusal to tell about
his activities prior TO joining the police
force on December Is, 1924. Blanton
questioned him at length regarding the
theft and burning Of his car, but
Schenck refused to answer He said
he had been instructed not to do so by
counsel
Disregarding this answer, Blanton
fred question after question at him
concerning the burning Of the car and
Schenck's attempt TO collect insurance
on it.
He made a second attempt TO ges into
the evidence q statement made By
Schenck regarding the incident 70 De-
tective Weber. who had investigated the
case. Schenck merely vas permitted
10 identify 1t. and the chairman,
Thomas H wahly, declaring that
Staples Is not charged with burning
Schenck's car" refused TO admit Ii as
evidence.
To Blanton's direct charges that he
framed" Staples. and had q guilty
knowledge" of the shooting incident,
Schenck made repeated and fias de-
nialS: Blanton was unable TO break
down these denials and finally gave 4
up as bad job. /
Schenck's examination furnished the
climax to day Of sensations. AT the
outset Mr.. Blanton denied that he had
been arrested last Saturday for speed
ing IN his car en- route to the trial
board hearing, To newspaper men In
clearly audible voice, he declared that
he had traced the lie direct TO Maj
HeSSe."
Reads Letter From Inspector.
Bianton's visit to the Traffic Bureau
this morning delayed the hearing IS
minutes. and when the Representative
finally appeared he Immediately brought
up the question of his having been
stopped for speeding last Saturday He
read q letter from Inspector Brown
head OF the Trafac Bureau. which stated
that Pvt d. E. Galimore had told him
that he had talked with Mr.. Rlanton
G00cQ t&f&t 10
complaint and no charge OF any sort"
had been made against the Representa-
tive
Mr.. Blanton next read what was said
TO have been an afidavit from Ofs3cer
Galimore. explaining the circumstances
under which il was reported N news
papers that Blanton had been held up
for speeding, The traffic officer said
Mr. Blanton was not charged with
k,..N NN1 -
mentioned 10 Supt, Of Police HeSse the
tact that he had talked with Mr., Blan-
ton Instead OF my having stopped him.
IL was he who stopped me-" the ofacer
said In his statement. Mr. Rlantcn had
stopped him. the offScer EXPLAINED. To
inquire about case In which Galimore
claimed to have hSen framed"
To newspaper men attending the trial
he added III veice that could be heard
easily by spectators; I've traced that
lie about my being arrested for speed
ing directly 10 Mai, HeSSe"
With this disposed Of. Mr., Rlanto0
told. the board he hoped TO finish his
part Of the Staples case BY tomorrow
unless he was interrupted BY opposing
counsel,
Chairman Demands Order.
Before the trial reSume>s .AiFsher.
Chairman Wahly repeated his warning
to spectators TO maintain quiet in the
courtroom. Further demonstrations
will serve to bring this trial 60 dis
repute." he said,
Rlanton called cut 10 inquire ii In
Speesor Brown were in the courtroom
but was informed that the ofacsr was
not present Brown, It IS understood
will BE- called later 20 testify regarding
SATURDAYS incident.
The FIRST witness called today was
tin, whom Louise Is, Hanley denied that
she knew when asked II the man was
her ex-huShAnd.
After Mrs GoSneM teStified IS Co the
marriage ot her son 70 Mrs. Hanley IN
Alexandria ON March 10. 1919. Mr., Mas
tin eorrcoogated her story,
MaStin said he had lived two years
with his wife, when they separated on
account OF incoynpatihility,
Have YOU been divorced ffom her
Rlanton asked,
Not that l know of be replied,
Mrs Hanley Not In CeuEt
Have YOU ever been served with court
paperS by herE~
NO" he answered
To the best Of the mans knowleSage
he and the yoalug Woman who now Gals
herself Mrs Hanley are still welded
he said Mastin explained that she
went her way and I Went natneN~
When Rlantcn called Gu Mrs AAnley
To appear aS a witness the ya0ng wogaan
was not present M court she Is enc
-. - /.