Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-12
CHANGES IN POLICE
FORCE QUESTIONED
IN Jury RUM QUIZ
McQuade Starts Inquiries
Into Transfer of Officer
and Defective.
INSPECTOR AND CAPTAINS
CALLED BEFORE PR0BERS
Action Follows Appearance Of
Foreman at House Subcom-
mittee Hearing.

Charges and countercharges growing
out Of the police probe by the Gibson
committee took new turn today when
Martin D. McQuade. foreman of the
grand jury, instituted inquiries before
that body into the reasons why Police
man George HeIlmuth was transferred
from the fourth precinct and why Pre-
cincs Detective Arthur Fihelly vas re-
moved from the first precinct. Nc
Quade presided at the Fihelly investi-
cation. but turned over the chair TO
Assistant Foreman Edward c. Meredith
when the Hellmuth inquiry was In
progress.
McQuade's action followed his prom
ise made last week before the Gibson
committee, when he was told by COM
mitteemen that the grand jury should
look into both OF these cases.
Police Officials Summoned.
Among the witnesses summoned
before the grand jury, in addition to
Heiimuth and Fihelly. were Inspector
Albert j. Headley, Capt Charles H.
Doyle Of the eighth precinct, Detective
Sergt. Curtis H. Trammell of headouar-
ters, Sergt. j. H. Lee of No. 4 and
Policemen j. E. Bobo Of No. and
Robert j. Fraser Of the sixth precinct.
Hellmuth told the Gibson committee
that he was transferred to another beat
and later out OF the fourth precinct
after talk with Capt. Bremerman
about supposed gambling place when
the captain had said it was the work
OF plain clothes men. He also told the
committee that McQuade had told him
10 keep his eyes closed" in connection
with gambling establishment on his
beat. and when McQuade denied this
Heiimuths face. the officer repeated
his assertion
In reference to the transfer of FiheIly.
a statemslt was made before the Glib
son committee that a fund Of $4,000
had been raised by gamblers to get rid
OF Fihelly. who was being too active IN
locating such places.
It Is expected that the grand furv
VIII make report 70 the court on the
result Of its findings in both cases. and
VIII submit q copy to the Gibson COM
mittee.
Douthitt Urges Stricter Law.
Prohibition cannot be enforced under
the present law. Harry N. Douthitt. ieId
secretary OF the Citizens Service ASso-
ciation. said today. He was 10 haye
oeen witness before the Gibson SUBJ
committee continuing its inquiry into
prohibition enforcement and the charges
that liquor is brought into the District
under protection. The Gibson sub.
committee did not meet. owing to the
TACT that Chairman Gibson was obliged
70 attend meeting Of the House civil
an
ton.
Mr.. Douthitt explained that more
teeth would have to be put into the
law TO enable enforcement, because there
are many loophoies.
That the Citizens Service League has
practically gone out OF business as far
as Its original purpose Of catching boot
leggers through shopping activities Of
their neighoorS Is concerned. Mr..
Douthitt admitted. The association is
now doing no more field work and ne
himself Is retained at u merely nominal
salary. The members Of the association.
he said. had refused to make actual
purchases OF liquor and to so testify In
court, He believes that paid infcruers
should not be used in prohibition en-
torcement- The association has tapered
or INTO the status of a citizens oryan-
isStion In an advisory capacity. He
himself Is devoting practically ali Of his
energies 10 the publication Of q news
paper In Virginia.
Strong conviction that very little, II
any. protection Is paid for by boot
leggerS operating in the District Was
expressed by Mr., pcuthitt,
The impoSSibility OF getting q warrant
without swearing To actual personal
purchase Of liQuor makes enforcement
extremely difficult even where Nl!cis
sales are known 10 have been made.
Mr Douthitt said.
The Gibson subcommittee VIII resume
Its hearings In the caucus room az the
House once Building tomorrow az 10
O'Clock.