Evening star., 1928-04-03
PROSECUTOR ASKS
GAG FOR BLANTON
At STAPLES TRIAL
Ready to Give Up Case I'm.
less Texan Ceases ISLANDER
GUS" Accusations.
LEGISLATOR THREATENS
"CLEAN OUT" OF POLICE
Capt. Burlingame Says Efforts Are
Made to Intimidate Board
and Witnesses.

During one Of the most tumultous and
dramatic sessions os the police trial
board since the trial of Policeman Or
Ftlle Staples began, Robert L. Williams,
corporation counsel and pros
ecutor in the case, today threatened to
withdraw unless Representative Blanton
of Texas ceased what he characterized
Is "slanderous" accusations against op-
posing counsel. members of the board,
and witnesses. Mr.. Blanton retorted By
to clean out" the Police
Department and the corporation coun-
sells Office.
It was a day Of continuous thrills,
charges and counter-charges. After the
names OF q dozen or more policemen
had been called TO testify and they were
found TO be absent, Blanton declared
that the police were afraid TO testify"
He charged specifically that Policeman
R. d. Padgett had been transferred as
a punishment for testifying
Capt. Guy Burlinghame, q member
OF the trial board, ciashed sharply with
Blanton. declaring that the board had
been DESIGNATED to Try Staples and not
70 try the Police Department, nor Po-
liceman Frederick Schenck, on . charge
Of burning his car. or for alleged shoot
ing at Staples.
Everybody Abused"
This board has been designated TO
try the charges against Ofncer Staples,
regardless OF how they originated" de-
clared Capt. Burlinganle, and not to
try anybody else. Everybody has been
abused and efforts have been made to
lntimldate the witnesses. the board and
every one here"
BY whom?" demanded Blanton.
BY you, SIR sharply reto-ted Bur
hngame.
When he gets through. attend
to the Captain. even II he - q mem
Der Of the board" said Blanton.
II would like to see an investigation
of the Department" continued BCriin-
game. II know there are some bad
spots in II and would welcome an In
vestigation- speak for s5 : cent Of
the department when ] don't
think this Is the proper pla ] have
not made statement hefo. because
did not care 70 obstruct ii. case
II had the right TO ss1xck members
Of this board to try Staples. would
never have picked the Captain" con-
tinued Blanton.
II would have been very thankful for
that" interjected Burlingazne
Mr.. Blanton declared that he was
lighting against i.34s policemen under
the domination Of the police chief"
Blanton filings Charges
The tumult started rs soon as the
days session opened. II vas precipi-
sated by charges fung BY Mr.. Blanton
t@M Tn~r 49, kv.r a.. -.
evidence an article IRON the Washing
ton Herald Of March 70. several DAYS
before charges were nled against Sta
Piles. predicting that -BIantcnss pet
cop" would have to face charges before
the trial board.
Chairman wahly refused to admit the
article. explaining that II was not the
practice Of the beard 70 accept news
paper stories under such circumstances.
II am going to show" said Riantcn.
that en- March l. before the Gibson
proved that liquor had
been brought In here under police pro-
lection ] am going TO show that
Staples was framed by the Police De-
partment because the police thought
he had given me information I want
TO show that he did not give me this
information-that got IL elsewhere.
a police Inspector has admitted that
he faisified a statement TO protect q
man high up in the gas company. Are
you going TO help protest the higher
ups in this city, or are YOU going 70 set
the truth about the Police DEPARTMENT."
This last statement was shouted IN
q loud voice, but the members Of the
board listened calmly without replying
Padgett Takes Stand.
Mr.. Blanton then called 70 the wit
ness stand Policeman r. =. Pa6gett.
who testified several days ago at the
Staples hearing Blanton handed him
a slip Of paper and asked him 60 tden-
tify IL and state whether he bad re-
ceived IL from his superior ofaeer the
day after he testified at this hearing
padgett replied in the affirmative.
When Rlanton started to read from
he paper, Chairman wahly ruled tt
out
Rlanton then started 70 tell what was
written ON the paper, but Chairman
"An right I'm gotng 30 refer % this
declared Bianton. This
>oard cannot control me in other places.
I'm going 20 refer 70 this fr0ra one end
Il Washington - the other
AZ this point Williams. assistant cor
,oratson counsel and prosecutor m this
'ase. Jumped 20 his feet. and with .
'oice trembling with anger said:
Il have sat here for over q week lts-
ening to slander. erow-oeating and
hingS worse. am sick and tired Of r.
Unless counsel for the defense stops bis
ltsccurtsous statements. shah with
tfaw nom this case,
Promises Accusations.
II have been accused OF eFowoeAting
md eoaehing witnesses On the stand. /
lave never been accused % such .
hing In any court
"Nuu viii be accused cg worse than
hat" mteriected hlanson.
II demand that this be Stoppe<i9S in
tSted Williams Every man here ex-
'ept Mr.. Rlanton has hsen accused of
u sorts OF things. tr0M arson 80 mur-
ler III not stand tor Il any longer,
I Mr., Alanton cannot Dc courteous.
hah withdraw"
Il think ne ought 10 wlthdGawt~
houted hlansen, Il think ne ought 10
uit Ire coFporation counselS ofnee.
~ ge,ns g clean up the corporation
Turning b pNliceman radgete Hlan>
ON asked. Have YOU been transferred
ince YOU testified herep~
Yes" said pAdgett.
The eeard has ruled this Qua" de-
Jared Williams angriH,
YES. that question and answer were
papreper." remarked the chairman.
This matter has been ruled out
Well let Us proceed with thia trial,
we can remarked the chairman,
,Ntting an end for the moment 20 TIE
lam0rcus accusations ef Mr. nlAnt0n.
headquarters Detective Charles WeheR
t(onknai,eea An YAAna ii 5g.,laamsn ~