Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-02
CLERK IS CLEARED
BY OTHERS PLEA
Cloud of Dishonesty Lifted
From D. c. Worker by
Confession.

An ignominous cloud of dishonesty
that for three years has wrongfully
lowered over Charles M. Watts, clerk
in the District Building, because he fell
a victim of handwriting experts was
removed today by a confession of a
fellow worker in the Highway Depart
ment, Charles H. Stanley, who was
arrested late yesterday on charge of
forgery involving six checks and 5000.
The confession was made to Inspector
Henry G. Pratt chief of the Detective
Bureau, and Maj. James L. Lusby, dis
bursting officer of the District.
Back in 1925, when Stanley and
Watts were both employed in the office
of Clifford L. Lanham, superintendent
of trees and parkings, two checks
turned up with forged Endorsements.
The finger OF accusation was first
Watts was arrested. Clifford L. Grant,
late chief OF detectives, subsequently an
nounced that he wrung confession
from Watts and the innocent clerk was
thereupon branded as forger Watts,
however, steadfastly denied he had
made such confession, but he was
taken to court and forced to post a
bond of $25, which he never recovered.
And in spite of this alleged confession,
the case was regarded as a weak one
and it was nolle pressed by the prose-
cutting attorney.
Had Long, Honest Record.
With a record of 90 years of honest
and efficient service. District officials re-
fused to believe the charge against
Watts, and he was retained in the Dis
trict service. Now he is the chief clerk
in Mr.. Lanham's department. The false
accusation. however, continued to re-
main to mar Watts otherwise unblem-
ished record until today when he was
told of Stanley's confession, which ex-
onerated him.
Il never did confess" Watts reiterated
today. 1.-THE nearest I came to confess
ing was to say that rather than have
any trouble come to Mr.. Lanham about
it would pay the amount of the check" :"
The check called for $3.50.
Watts case was considered by the Dis
trict Commissioners at their semi weekly
board meeting today. but official action
removing the blemish from the clerks
record was deferred pending a complete
report from police and District officials
who are investigating the charges
against Stanley.
Record Now Revised.
In the meantime. Inspector Pratt
went through the 3-year-old police rec
ord of the case and in red ink thereon
noted that Stanley had admitted COM
mitting the offense for which Watts had
been accused.
Watts was arrested in 1925, by Head
quarters Detectives Darnell and Spring.
man. Darnell explained today that at
the time both Watts and Stanley denied
having any connection with the forged
check, but that handwriting experts at
the Treasury Department, who had been
given specimens of their handWritings
said the forgery resembled the hand
writing of Watts than Stanley. Then
Watts was accused of the forgery
BY a clever manipulation of refund
vouchers which Stanley handled for the
Highway Department he is alleged to
have diverted to his own use about $500
that should have been returned to con-
tractors who had put up deposits with
the District government as a guarantee
to replace private property they de-
stroyed in their work. Stanley was re-
leased under $1.500 bond following his
arrest for appearance in Police Court
for preliminary hearing.
According to Maj. Lusby, all of Stan
ley's alleged peculations occurred with
in the last month. He had been under
investigation for week.
Stanley has been employed in the Dis
trict government for about seven years
and has a good reputation for honesty
and efficiency.