Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-24
TRIAL ONLOOKERS
SEARCHED AT DOOR
ThriII-Seekers Are Barred
From Burlingame
Hearing.

The trial OF Capt. Guy E. Burllngame,
suspended commander of the second
precinct, presents one of the most ex-
traordinary spectacles in the history of
the Metropolitan Police Department.
When the hearing adjourned yester-
day there was little to choose between
either side-one could believe Capt.
Burlingame, Or take the word of Helen
F. Blalock, the palmist who accused
him of conduct unbecoming a police
officer.
AS the prosecution rested its case
last evening, there was nothing beyond
the unsupported word of Mrs. Blalock
to establish the charges of improperly
she has preferred against the police
officer.
The 61-year-old captain, former foot
ball star and wrestler, denies these
charges in their entirety. He asserts
that his relations with the red-haired
palmist have been strictly of busi-
ness nature; that they have never
reached the intimate stage.
Exceptional Precautions.
Never before have such exceptional
precautions been taken for the trial
Of policeman in Washington.
When the trial opened yesterday,
only those who were known and had
a specific reason for being there were
admitted-and they were searched by
a husky policeman before passing
through the door of the courtroom.
One optimistic reporter approached
the door. only to be stopped abruptly by
a muscular hand on his shoulder.
BEG pardon" a policeman's voice
inquired, you don't mind being
Certainly not" the other answered.
thinking of forbidden camera IN his
side coat pocket. Excuse me q MIN
ute"
The reporter went into an adjoining
room and strapped the camera unoer
mitted to a thorough search and was
finally passed with laconic, You're
ok, budd; sorry to have bothered
you"
Policemen Barred.
Even policemen under the rank OF
captain were barred from the trial, the
theory being that even though Capt.
Burlingame may be acquitted OF the
charges against him, 1t would be pref
judicial to the best interests OF the
force to have inferior officers hear them
as they are set forth.
Robert j. Allen. stormy petrol Of the
department Allen threatened to prefer
formal charges after coming out on
the losing end of an argument with a
police sergeant who denied him admit
lance.
Hundreds of thrill-seekers thronged
the corridors of the sixth precinct be-
fore the hearing began yesterday morn
ing, but they were all turned away as
they sought entrance. The police guard
was courteous but firm, explaining that
the limited size of the trial room would
permit only a few spectators and that
these must be made up Of necessity Of
witnesses and others on official bust
ness. Numerous complaints were heard
as the disappointed visitors turned
away, but there was no disorder.
One of the most baffiing questions
brought out in this case is why the De-
partment Of Justice went to such un-
usual extremes to locate the mysterious
complaining witness, Mrs. Blalock.
More Than 100 In Hunt.
The search for her started about
three weeks ago. and, as it progressed,
more than 100 departmental agents par
ticipated in the Nationwide hunt.
After Mrs. Blalock was located In
Chicago, she was Swallowed constantly
| by Department of Justice agents. Her
every move was checked, and when she
tried to slip out of the Windy City, two
agents followed and persuaded her that
| the effort was futile.
| Her return to Washington was at
tended by more mystery and caution
than ever attached to that Of any i'm
| portant official.
Even when she came to the trial
room yesterday morning, long after the
mystery cloaking her had faded, q
!, dozen agents logged her footsteps, and
resisted any effort to approach her.
All the precautions thrown around
Mrs. Blalock have been predicated upon
the theory, advanced by her, that some
one might resort to violent means to
keep her out of Washington. Yet, after
reaching the trial room, photographers
were permitted to take pictures, and
| the palrnist willingly posed for the
cameramen. There was at no time any
evidence of violence.
Burlingame Composed.
Notwithstanding all of the evidence
to the contrary, 1t has been generally
assumed that Mrs. Blalock returned to
| Washington at a great risk to herself.