Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-01
Report ExonerateS BurIin-
game and Entire Depart
ment of Corruption.
SALARIED INFORMERS
RECOMMENDED BY GROUP
Resident Physician at Jail Is Re-
garded by Probers as "Abso-
lutte Necessity"

4Ae OASLrICG grdnd jury To-Day IN its
final report exonerated Capt. Guy E.
Burlingame and Washington's entire
Police Department from charges of all
legged corruption growing out of the re-
cent congressional survey of police con-
dltions here.
The action In the case of Capt Bur-
lingame completes the vindication he
received recently when a special police
trial board acquitted him of the charges
preferred by Mrs. Helen F. BIalock, a
local palmist. In dismissing charges OF
the same nature furnished it by Mrs.
Blalock, through the United States at
torney's Office, the grand jury did so
with the statement that mo evidence
upon which criminal charges could be
predicated was found
With almost equal abruptness. the
grand jury dismissed the charges of
alleged corruption involving the entire
Police Department transmitted in cor
respondence by Senator Caraway, Dem
ocrat. of Arkansas. who was one of
the leaders during the last session of
OSAAo4 ~oS IA CA4OA " SADOSP
tons IN the Police Department.
Corruption Charges Not Supported.
Senator Caraway'S evidence. trans
rltted to United States Attorney Leo
A. Rover, the grand jury stated in its
special report made to Justice Jen-
nings Bailey before retiring. contained
nothing to support the charges Of cor
ruption.
Its report states:
Ihe grand jury was unable to as
certain any real evidence because prac-
tlcally all Of this correspondence bore
no signatures of the senders. who man
ifestly we're writing of suspicious based
on rumor. One letter which was
signed apparently was a forgery.
This body had before it certain
witnesses suggested by this ANONYMOUS
correspondence and obtained no evi-
dence to support the charges made in
these communications"
The testimony in Capt Buriingame's
case was presented before the grand
Jury by Assistant United States Attorney
william H. Collins and it is understood
included some additional information
obtained after the police trial board
had returned its verdict yindicatino
the veteran captain of police. who has
been retired from active duty. So far
as the district attorneys Office is con-
cerned, the case against BurIingar1e is q
closed chapter.
The grand Jury also made recon-
mendationS with respect to changes in
the method of employment Of inform
ers In various cases.
Urge Salaries for Informers.
1T is the opinion of the grand Jury"
the ranNrt cold
payment Of informers by fee per case
should be changed. and persons en-
ployed in this work should be placed on
a salary basis, and only persons en-
ployed OF good reputation. The paw
nnent oy lee, provided an arrest is made.
mas tendency to influence and bring
reflection on the evidence. We believe
the change recommended would add to
tne value and creditability of the evi-
dence"
The jury made recommendations to
me District Supreme Court in refer
ehce 10 conditions at the District Jail.
the Lorton Reformatorv and the bis,
trlct workhouse, inspected by them
during the January term.
-. Ihe grand jury also commended TO
tne court the several members of the
headquarters detective bureau. precinct.
auto. rum and narcotic squads and the
Womens bureau for their eficiencv in
apprehending law violators: also the
assistance rendered by the Department
OF Justice agents"
1t expressed itself as "yery much
pleased with the conditions and man
agement OF the three institutions Wis
lted. especially at Lorton. where many
Of the old wooden structures have beer,
replaced by brick buildings. and the re-
port commented favorably upon the
general Improvements made with the
limited funds at the disposal of these
institutions
We cannot praise too highly the
e1nclent management of Superintendent
M: M. Barnard and Assistant Super
lntendent Maj. Peake and their assist
ants"
Resident Physician Held Needed.
Commenting on the lack of provisions
Ior resident physician at the District
Jan through the regular appropriations,
the grand Jury reported:
II is the opinion Of the grand Jury
tnat In an institution of this kind and
size, where hundreds of prisoners are
detained. a resident physician is an
an absolute necessity and should be pro-
Vlueo Dy the Government as a perna-
Hent physician in the institution"
The only medical assistance rendered
now, the report points out. is through
the kindness Of private citizen.
AT the Lorton Reformatory and Oc-
coquan. while everything possible is
absolute necessity and should be pro-
the funds at their disposal. the laundry
conditions are deplorable,'' the report
stated
Sufficient funds should be secured
to install an entirely new laundry
equipment, the present antiouated
equipment being menace to the health
of the inmates"
Additional appropriations also should