Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-08
GAYETY BENEFIT
PROBE IS STARTED
Gibson Group to Follow Hear
ing With Sweeping Po-
lice Inquiry.

The Gibson investigating committee
of the House today Unexpectedly
turned its attention to the recent mid
night performance at the Gayety
Theater which had been announced as
a benefit for the families of four men
serving sentences following gambling
convictions, and announced that it
would follow with a sweeping inquiry
into certain affairs involving the Met
tropolitan Police Department.
Joe Freeman, who promoted the So
called benefit show, which, in the light
of subsequent developments. failed tc
be of material financial assistance to
those for whom 1t had been designated,
was summoned before the COMMITTEES
and subjected to searching cross
examination, not only as to the pur-
pose and the results of the performance
but also as to his knowledge of Wash
ington's gambling and sporting fra
ternity
The committee learned very little from
Freeman about gambling and liquor
conditions in the Nations Capital, but
he did give an entirely new version OF
the midnight show, which he declared
was not conceived originally as q
benefit.
In addition to the Gayety perform
ance, the committee plans to investi-
gate the removal of Detective Brown
ing from the first precinct liquor squad
and the transfer of Headquarters De-
tective Christensen following his ac-
ceptance of a blow said to have been
administered him at police headquar-
tiers by Frank Mccormick, who is well
known in Washington's sporting fra
ternity.
Long a Promoter Here.
Freeman identified himself as a
promoter of wrestling and boxing bouts
for IS years, and mentioned the names
of a number of outstanding stars in the
pugilistic and wrestling world that he
had brought to Washington at various
times. These included Jack Dempsey
Bob Fitzsimmons, Joe Stecher. Stranger
Lewis and number of others.
Chairman Gibson questioned the wit
ness at length about the men whose
names have been mentioned prominent
ly with the connection of the gambling
situation. To all questions, Freeman
replied that he knew them either by
sight or reputation, but that he was
totally ignorant of their business af-
fairs.
When asked about his acquaintance
with speakeasies, Freeman replied that
he had heard such places actually
existed in Washington, but he did not
know their location or who their pro-
prietors might be. "Speakeasies are
one place I don't know anything about, >
the witness declared. II am not pro-
hibitioniSt. but don't indulge"
Small Net Profit.
Despite reports that the midnight
frolic at the Gayety Theater had been
successful event, Freeman told the
committee that an accounting, not YET
completed, probably would show only q
small net profit. He insisted the show
was not designed originally as a benefit
but that when his attention had been
called to the destitute circumstances OF
large family of one of the four gam
blers, he decided to aid this family with
son of the proceeds Of the affair. Later
however, when his generosity became
known, he said, the families of the
three other men appealed to him for
aid and he sent them money and food
do you expect the people of Wash
ingtop to believe that story?" Repre-
n