Evening star., 1928-03-31

and toward the last asked me about
Staples"
Didn't you tell the inspector that
Staples worked is hours a day TO catch
you?" Blanton demanded OF Caldwell
He has" Caldwell replied quickly.
And he caught you?" Blanton asked
Yes. sir, he raided me-
After the man had denied paying any
bribe money. he admitted that the
names of Sergt, Little and Officers Pat
enode, Casey. Hunt, Strange and five
or six more" were brought up during the
conversation
II was during the questioning Of these
two bootleggers that Blanton pointed
out to them Inspector Stoll. and asked
them 10 identify this officer with all
the brass buttons on"
Mrs. Orville Staples wife of the ac-
cused officer came TO his defense this
morning and told OF an attempt 10
shoot her husband in the rear Of their
home on the Thursday before we
came 10 trial"
Questioned closely by Mr. Blanton.
Mrs. Staples told in detail about the
occurrence.
"A shot rang out" she said. "and
Mr.. Staples ran into the kitchen. He
vas very nervous and told me TO call
the police"
Is your husband a coward" Mr.
Blanton interrupted 10 ask.
Called Doctor on Phone.
No sir. He went into the front
room and started walking up and down
without taking his hat and coat of
he was wringing his hands and saying.
This is terrible They have tried
starting shooting al me had never
seen him in nervous condition like
that before so / called a doctor and
he prescribed for my husband over the
phone"
How long did the police stay In your
home that night?" Blanton asked.
Until quarter after 2"
How long did the officers remain in
front Of your i1ouse7"
Il did not know there were any in
front Of our house. If ! had, would
have slept some.
II developed that Mrs Staples had
stayed awake all night because Of fear
that another attempt would be made TO
shoot her husband. Mr.. Staples. how
ever. went 10 sleep, his wife said, after
taking a medicine the doctor had pre-
Scribed.
Kelly Called 10 Stand.
Attorney Joseph D. KeDy, called to
the stand by the defense. told in de-
tail about bankruptcy proceedings he
had conducted for Ofiicer Staples. lie
testified that ne had known the accused
ofiicer since we we're kids" and that
Mr.. Staples had "a good reputation
when Kelly admitted that ne had ham
died the case without charging Zee
for helping out one poor devil.
Aroused by newspaper reports tnat
the policeman's trial was being held
"behlnd barricaded doors" and reSem-
bled "an armed camp" Blanton at the
outset Of proceedings this morning de-
MED emphattcaliy that he had called on
Capitol police for his protection.
diving testimony 10 mis- own COURAGE,
MIR Blant0n said. In 20 years OF pub
lic life have never carried gun.
These same Newspaper men kno"
that night before last. | Aent All over
this city unarmed. he said. and was
/ not afraid
Denies Being Threatened.
To Chairman Wahley, who said he
/ never read newspaper accounts OF tne
| trial, Mr. BlanDon protested that he mad
warned Inspector Stoli 70 protect his
witnesses at the trial and had told him
| il he couldn't do II he would call on
the park police -...,
There are absolutely no Capitol
noIice here" he added The Capitol
police Lieutenant. Robert Browning
| who testified Yesterday. was mere WIN
out my knowing he was here ] didnl
| recognize him without his uniform.
There Is another matter. biahioh
hat 4 ~
/ plained L0 this board that certain
| woman witnesses had threatened me.
| The threats were directed against
/ Staples and not against me"
Change In Vigilance Noted.
Although Mr.. Bianton declared there
I vas no change in the routine method
/ Of siaiioumR policemen outside the
/ doors there gak in fact decided
! change in the vigilance maintained over
| lie courtroom. He did not undertake
| 10 explain The calling IN of additional
| policemen from the streets AFTER ne hhd
1 been kicked at yesterday by one nl tiiF
/ young woman witnesses
| After his TRADE against the press. Mf
gIauLon turned MS guns on the oiilclal
court sten0grapher lie complained bit~
/ terly 10 iiie board that he had not been
| furnished With "a copy of the coni !
reports sinne Thursday and inslnualen
! that Assistant Corporation Counsel
/ Williams. was withholding Them
| Mr. Williams denied he had made
any effort 90 do so Upon being Told
/ by The stenographef Ia attendance that
! the firm Wa4 delayed Ia getting out The
reports, Mr. Hlanton demanded that h
| subpoena be issued for a Mr., Bisseil ~
| the reporters flrm 10 NJ 10 make sure
| he would get the court records
1 Mr Bianton warned that II he did not
| get them regularly from day t0 day hs
| would stop lte pay ~ tie reporters,
| having explained that the pe0ie's
| money" which he had helped appr0pfl-
! ats WhA being used 10 defrag EXPENSES,