Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-29
Similar Precautions to Be
Taken at Other Prisons
Following Escape.
PROBE OF HAND FLIGHT
GETS LITTLE RESULTS
Policeman Langdon Denies He
Criticized Department or
Aided Ohio Robber.

Like the man who locked the stable
after the horse was stolen, the Police
Department today attached fool
proof" paddock and chain to the iron
barred gate to the cell block in the fifth
precinct station from which william
Wilbur Hand, convicted Ohio bank
bandit, made his mysterious escape q
week ago.
The paddock and chain was installed
on recommendation of Inspector Albert
J. Headley, who is making an intensive
investigation of Hands unexplained dis
appearance, and Maj. Henry G. Pratt,
superintendent of police, let 1t become
known that similar installations would
be made at all other precinct station
houses where the locking devices do not
appear to be any too secure.
The escape Of Hand, it was said,
taught the Police Department an I'M
dependable security in its precinct
"lock-ups," and Maj. Pratt is deter
mined there shall not be a repetition
under the same circumstances the Ohio
bank robber got away.
The fifth precinct cell locks were none
too secure. OF that Mai. Pratt has been
convinced by both Inspector Headley
and Headquarters Detective Kuehling
who gave Houdini demonstration sew
eral days ago how to get out of the
cell block without key Kuehling was
locked behind the cell block gate, sans
keys, penknife and other instruments
which might be used in picking lock,
and few moments later opened the
door and walked out.
Langdon's Name Mentioned.
Inspector Headley's investigation of
Hands escape has failed thus far to
produce tangible results. A supple
mental report he submitted yesterday
to Maj. Pratt brought the name of
Detective Robert F. Langdon into the
case. Langdon was suspended last week
following his arrest by Federal officers
on liquor charges, and Headley in his
report said the officer had talked with
Hand on the eve of his escape of the
prison sentence which faced him in
Ohio as well as the thought of some
way to get out"
Maj. Pratt said he had studied Head
leys latest report, but announced he
would take no action on the inspectors
suggestion for trial board proceedings
against two police officers who went to
see Hand in connection with the sale
OF his automobile until the investiga-
ton Is completed.
In the meantime, Langdon, aroused
by published report that he had
branded the story of his alleged con-
versation with Hand as a "frame-up"
by the Police Department, telephoned
Maj. Pratt that the story was "lie"
Pratt said Langdon told him he re
allied he had done wrong" and that he
owed the Police Department much
more than the Police Department owes
him."
Flat denial that he had any connec-
ton with the escape of Hand also was
made this morning by Langdon.
Suspended Mans Statement.
II may have done some things, but
I've never helped thieves or murderers,"
said the suspended dry enforcement Of
f1cer, who now is accused of transport
ing liquor.
Langdon says that he was back in
the cellroom talking to Hand on two
occasions. just as he had talked to
other prisoners there, but that he was
never closer than five feet to the cell
IN which Hand was locked. He adds
that there were always witnesses
around when he was in the cell room
Langdon says also that he had said
that Hand should not be kept in the
precinct, but should be held in Jail
until taken away.
He admits saying that IF 1 had Is
or 20 years staring me in the face I'd
be thinking Of getting away" but says
II was merely casual remark.
1T looks like trying to kick a man
when he's down." Langdon continued.
referring to the linking of his name
with Hands escape.