Evening star., 1928-03-26
POLICE PROTECTION
GIVEN B0OTLEGGER,
BLANTON CHARGES
Continued from First Page,

Continued from First Page.)
game of the second precinct was sub
stituted.
Frequent clashes between Blanton
and williams marked the hearing from
the outset. The earlier clashes dealt
with Blanton's capacity In attending
the hearing, the Texan having ex-
planned he was a. friend Of the court. :.
Mr.. Blanton explained that he was at
tending It as q member Of the Gibson
subcommittee In his ofilcial capacity as
a Representative and q friend OF the
accused policeman. He added that he
was convinced there is q deliberate at
tempt to ohstruct the business Of the
Gibson subcommittee.
Secondly" he said. II am convinced
that these charges against Staples are
without foundation"
Given Counsel Rights.
Throughout the proceedings williams
always characterized Blanton as "amicus
curiae" and he protested vehemently
that the Texan could not appear ''as q
friend Of the court and as counsel for
the defense" at the same time.
Chairman wahly finally cut short the
arguments which arose intermittentiy
by ruling that II Blanton wanted the
privileges Of counsel he could have
them.
Interrupting the argument at this
point, Blanton declared anarily: I'm
here because I'm here. I'm here as
amicus curiae and I'm going TO see
that this man Is defended properly"
Williams protested that he wanted
the Texan to state his position fairly
for the record and said he would con-
tinue 70 object.
Lets get on with the case" Blanton
replied. Indignantly. Il think your
chief lfneaning William w. Bride. corr
poration counsel) understands you have
bean ogerruled."
Formal reading OF the charges against
Policeman Staples had been dispensed
with. and, without any preliminary, the
accused officer pleaded mot guilty."
Staples sits Unmoyed.
Staples sat next TO Blanton at one
end Of counsel table. He appeared
amused at times during the clashes.
but otherwise sat tnImoved. He ap-
peared In q light coiored suit with
black and white striped tie.
The charges against Staples contain
IL specifications They range from &C.
cusations OF making faige statements TO
q superior oificer. bootiegging, failure
70 account for seized liquor, accepting
money % refrain from prosecuting
booflcggess and entering. without war;
rants. the apartments OF women. The
charges cover q period from February,
1927. 10 February, 1928. and some Of
them resulted from an anonymous let
ter received by police ofiicials early In
February.
Before the trial had proceeded at any
length. Blanton went 80 far as 10 de-
naand that the two ofiiciai reporters be
the oath. m order COM
piled with reluctantly BY the board.
Asks Prima Facie Casa.
During the discussion over pro.
cedure. Blanton insisted that y ''prtma
facie" case be made out nrst, adding
that had been done. Mr.. Williams
tried TO bar cameramen from the room,
We are not here 70 take
pictures. but TO get at the facts"
Two witnesses were heard this morn
ing Coleman and John Green, alias
John Maddox and Mike Ready. Both
are coiored.
Coleman. q dapper person, who de-
clared. in admitting his bootleg activi-
ties, that he wasn't the worst guy
In the world" was the flrst proseci~
ton witness. He told Of q friendship"
OF approximately two years with
Staples and OF dealings with the pO-
iicefnan In the neighborhood OF
TWenty-firEt and M streets.
Il gave him $40 bin on one occa-
siOri." Coleman testified. after having
stated that he had given the policeman
money on frequent occasions" The
nearest he could be pinned down 10
On crOsa-exanlination by BiantOn was
about 500 In all.
This continued until Coieman'a truck
load OF liquor was taken out Of the
garage In the Spring Of 1927. he testi"
ned.
Bianton succeeded In bringing out
that tbs proprietor 0f tbs garage was
this son Of police captain" and Cole
man iaughingly admitted he thought
his liquor would be- safe"
Tells ef Quarrel.
During their friendship, Coleman said.
he had accompanied Staples To his
house, where the policeman produced
corn liquor"
About flve months after his truck
disappeared, Coleman related quarrel
he had with staples In a oe-shining