Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-26
PHONE HEADS DENY
FAILURE TO HELP
POLICE OF CAPITAL
CIarkSon Insists Company
Co-operates in Legal
Enforcement.
PRIVATE BRANCH BARRED
TO THOSE OUTSIDE LAW
Chairman Says Unlawful Business
Is Transacted Over
Wires.

Officials of the Chesapeake e. Poto-
mac Telephone Co. appeared before the
Gibson subcommittee this morning on
invitation from Chairman Gibson to
answer charges made before the SUBJ
| committee yesterday that private ex.
changes were operated and used ex-
tensively by gamblers, bootleggers, book
makers and other persons outside OF
the law and that the telephone COM
pany did not cooperate with the DO
lice In detecting such persons.
Representative Bowman, Republican
OF West Virginia, emphasized that these
/ officials "are not before this committee
accused of protecting bootleggers and
| criminals, but We are trying TO bring
about cooperation with the law-en-
forcing authorities"
Walter B. Clarkson, assistant to the
president Of the telephone company, in
sisted that the company does cooperate
with the police and will be glad if a
way is provided so that the Company
can assist law-enforcing authorities and
at the same time protect itself and the
confidence OF subscribers who are doing
legitimate business.
Dozier DeVane, general counsel for
the telephone company. also testified
that they would be glad to cooperate
and said that information Is available
when the law-enforcing authorities pre-
sent proper process in the form of
subpoena, in response to which the
company will prepare the desired infor-
nation in whatever form is sought.
Representative Gilbert, Democrat, of
Kentucky, commended the attitude of
the company in protecting its patrons
up to certain point, but said that, as
one member of the committee, he feels
that the telephone officials have taken
an extreme view in not cooperating
with officers of the law in experimenting
criminals.
General Counsel De Vane said that
! All the telephone company asks from
the public authorities engaged in law
enforcement is that they get the process
under which the telephone company
! can work with them in apprehending the
lawless, and in reply to questions from
Mr.. Bowman he said that that would be
through a subpoena, and when that
was issued it would give complete CO.
operation and help.
! Mr.. Bowman said that he thought the
chief objection before the Gibson sub
/ committee was regarding the attitude of
the telephone company In refusing to
| divulge the names of those who have
unlisted telephones in cases where the
police are trying to round up bootleg
gers. bookmakers, gamblers and other
criminals.
Mr.. Clarkson emphasized that there
are dozens OF Government agencies in
Washington besides the police who are
daily seeking information which the
| company has agreed with its subscribers
to keep in confidence. He pointed out
that the company cannot discriminate.
nor can telephone operator or any one
in the business department be allowed
to act as judge and jury.
Mrs. Willebrandt Invited.
Chairman Gibson had invited Mrs.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt to appear be-
fore the Gibson subcommittee today. but
| the Assistant Attorney General was un-
| able to do so because of other official
duties.
Mr.. Gibson said:
i desire to call her attention to pro-
visions of the Jones bill which will come
before the House in day or two"
DR.. Clinton N Howard. chairman of
the national united committee for law
enforcement. testified yesterday.