Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-07
Mysterious Disappearance of
Defense Documents Is
Reported.
MRS. BLAL0CK'S FORMER
ATTORNEY TAKES STAND
Declines Frequently to Answer
Questions From Both Sides,
Claiming Lawyers Immunity.

Two important files containing docu-
ments which the defense had planned
to use in fighting the charges against
Capt. Guy E. Burlingame have mys-
teriously disappeared. it was revealed
today as the trial of the veteran police
officer neared its close
The files had been in the office of
F. r. Noel, an attorney, who at one
time had professionally represented Mrs.
Helen F. Blalock, accuser of Capt Bur-
lingame. Noel disclosed the disappear
ance when he took the witness stand
in response to a defense subpoena.
One of the files contained correspond
ence and documents concerning Mrs.
Blalock. The other had papers in it
relating to the case of Edward Schir-
mer against the Gibson subcommittee
of the House.
The disappearance of the files was
disclosed when Noel took the witness
stand and announced he had been un-
able to bring the papers wanted by the
defense as a search of his office had
shown them to be missing
Just what the defense intended to
show with the papers in these two files,
Burlingame's chief counsel, william E.
Leahy, did not indicate.
1t also was brought out that the pros
ecution at one time had planned to call
Noel as one of its witnesses, but had
failed to do so.
Noel explained that he last saw the
Blalock file in his Office in 1927 and
made a search for 1t recently when
Corporation Counsel William w. Bride,
chief prosecutor, telephoned him that
he was wanted as prosecution witness
The Schirmer file, he said, was last seen
about six months ago.
The first witness called when the
trial was resumed was DR.. William Tin
dab, veteran employe of the District
government and former secretary of the
Board of Commissioners. He was armed
with a large package which he said
contained the original transcript of the
testimony in the case OF former Police
man Orville Staples. He was excused
Defense Counsel Leahy failed to reveal
however, what part the Staples case
is to play in the defense.
Allan Dawson of the Chemical Paper
Co. located In building owned by
Mrs Blalock in the 1000 block of Wis
consin avenue, was next called to the
witness stand. He produced large
collection of Cancelled rent checks paid
by the company to the palmist in 1926
1927. 1928 and January and February
of this year. A number of these checks
we're made payable to the Seventh
Street Savings Bank to the credit of
the account of Mrs. Blalock, Dawson
explaining she had directed such a
procedure because she had expected
to be out of the city.
Blanton Endorsement Revealed.
Two of these checks, Chief Defense
Counsel Leahy later disclosed, bore the
Endorsements of Mrs. Blalock and Bur-
lingame. The January and February
checks of this year. he also revealed,
contained the Endorsement of former
Representative Blanton of Texas.
How does 1t come that these checks
bear the Endorsement of Mr.. Blanton?"
asked Leahy
II don't know" Dawson answered
In response to questions by Leahy re-
garding Blanton's interest in the prop
erty, Dawson drew from his pocket two
letters which he said Blanton had writ
ten to the paper company. After ex-
amining these letters Leahy indicated
that he would read them into the rec
ord. but Prosecutor Fowler vigorously
objected on the ground that he failed
to see relevancy to the case.
Chairman Donald A. Dawson over
ruled the objection.
One of the letters explained that Mrs.
Blalock had moved from Washington,
ION account of Illness" and had re-
quested the writer to get the checks for
rent on the Wisconsin avenue property
The letter also said that Mrs. Blalock
had requested Blanton to renew the
lease on this property when the present
lease expired In the Fall.
Blanton's other letter, dated January
81, 1929. thanked the paper company
for its $100 check for the February rent
and said that the writer would see that
Mrs. Blalock received it. This letter
also referred to the renewal of the lease,
and said that this poor woman was
sick" when Blanton saw her. and ne felt
sorry for her and disposed to help ner.
Hart Letter Read.
A letter from David A. Hart, assistant
United States attorney, to the Chemical
Paper Co. was then read into the
records by Leahy. The letter stated, In
substance, that Mr.. Hart considered the
company responsible for repairs to the
property at 1042 Wisconsin avenue
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