Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-29
BLANTON ACCUSES
CAPT. BURL|NGAME
Texan Says Police Officer
Was Man Named by Pa|mist
in Plea for Protection.

Capt. Guy E. Burlingame of the sec
ond precinct publicly was named today
by Representative Blanton of Texas as
the police captain against whom charges
had been preferred by Mrs. Helen F..
Blalock, Washington palmist.
Mr. Blanton made the disclosure at
lively session of the Gibson subcom-
mittee of the House, which had been
called ostensibly to drag the Blalock
case into the open. The hearing was
frequently punctuated with sharp
clashes between several members of the
committee and police officials
Capt. Burlingame, the first and only
witness called, created a stir at the out
set of the hearing by fatty refusing to
answere Blanton's questions. At another
point in the hearing, Representative
Bowman of West Virginia rose to his
feet and objected strenuously to what he
described as the "crucifixion" of Bur-
lingames character, and accused Blan-
ton of dragging the case into the open
for publicity purposes.
Blanton Reads Affidavit.
Blanton told the committee Mrs. Bla-
lock had made a special trip to his
home in Abilene, Tex, to acquaint him
with the case and to seek his aid in
protecting her property in Washington.
In response to the woman's plea, the
Texan said he had arranged an extern
sion on the trusts on her property.
Mr.. Blanton exhibited number of
checks drawn by Mrs. Blalock on WASH
ington banks and building and loan
associations which had been indorsed
by Burlingame, and then read into the
record a long affidavit he said he pro-
cured in Texas from the palmiSt.
In this affidavit. the palmist said she
left Washington to protect her life and
would have lost all of her property if
it had not been for Blantons assistance.
Blanton said he was having made
photoS:atic copies of the affidavit. as
we'll as the collection of alleged love
letters turned over to him by Mrs. Bla-
lock.
Bowman Protests Continued Probe.
Before Blanton began to read the
affidavit, Mr.. Bowman protested the
committees continued Investigation of
the Blalock case, since the committee
at a previous meeting had decided to
turn over to the United States attor-
ney'S office all of the evidence in its
possession. But Blanton continued. and
when he finished reading the affidavit.
Bowman rose and declared that it was
unfair to have such promiscuouS state
ments presented here. am asking for
fair play he said, Il hate to see a
mans character crucified."
He is not going to be crucified by
this committee" interpoSed Chairman
Gibson.
Mr.. Bowman then turned to Mr.. Blan-
ton and asked him why he had come
into the committee publicly to discuss
the case. You are doing it for pub
licity purposes" he said. Blanton
denied this and closed his statement
with declaration that he was only
doing his duty to the committee and
his country in making public the in
formation In his possession. Blanton
also took this occasion to predict that
ne would be returned to Congress in
two years. II have been engaged in a
lot OF controversies here because have
fought fearlesSly for the people" he
SAID. Il have clear conscience and
am going back to my people happy"
Gives Ring to Committee.
The ring which Burlingame is alleged
TO nave given the palmist was turned
over to the committee by Blanton. and
Chairman Gibson passed it on to Will
liam H. Collins. assistant United States
attorney, who Is Investigating the case
Collins asked Blanton if he knew
where the palmist could be found.
pointing out that his efforts to locate
her had been futile, and that the in
vestigation could not proceed without
her presence here. The Texan replied
he had no knowledge of her where
aboutS.
Maj. Edwin B. HeSSe. superintendent
of police, then announced that if the
fear of her life is keeping Mrs. Blalock
away from Washington. he would assign
the whole police force to protect her
if necessary.
When Burlingame was called to the
witness stand and Blanton started to
him. the police captain de-
clared bluntly that he did not intend
to answer any of the Texans questions.
You can save yourself lot of trouble,
MIR. Blanton." Burlingame said. "by not
asking me questions. I will not answer
any of your questions. I'll answer the
question Of any other member of the
but not yours"
Burlingame then started to outline
his 33-year-old record on the police
force, when Blanton broke in:
THE duties of this committee are un-
pleasant at times" said the Texan.
"Our services are free. l have no ami
mostly against Capt. Burlingame or any
one else. I have information in my
possession that would have given to
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