Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-05

Continued From First Ps~eO
was Aliens commanding oficer when
he was attached to the third precinct.
Indications are, however, that the
regular trial board may be reorganized
at Aliens request by the substitution
of alternates recently appointed by the
Commissioners. These alternates are
Capts. r. w. Burke, Fred Cornwell
C. p. M. Lord, William E. Sanford, j.
E. Wilson, Charles T. Peck and Inspec-
tor Thaddeus Bean.
The text of Aliens letter to Attorney
Burton follows:
Dear Sir: While I feel that you
and Mr.. Marye have done everything
that could have been done in my be-
half, in view of the repeated denials on
the part of the officials OF the District
of Columbia having to do with the
Police Department to accede to any
request on my part which would assure
me of an impartial trial. I cannot con-
scientiously accept your services in de-
Tending me before the Police Trial
Board.
ciSion which may be reached by the
board must be based upon an inter-
probation Of my letter of october 1S,
1929, to Maj. Henry g. Pratt, and, In
my opinion, 1t is perfectly useless to
appear before that board If it is con-
stituted of police officials, particularly
when they absolutely refuse to permit
an examination upon their voir dire, a
right which is accorded to every person
in either civil or criminal cases and one
which the courts have repeatedly stated
is q matter of right.
Had 1t been decided by the Commits
sionerS to give me board which
would feel was impartial, there would
have been a basis for making a defense,
but I do not feel at liberty to ask you
and Mr.. Marye to devote your time in
what seems to be a perfectly futile
effort, because ] am not in q position
to pay for your services unless there was
at least q chance of my being restored
to duty, which would enable me TO
pay you; and while 1t is true that you
have offered to proceed regardless of
that, cannot conscientiously permit
you to do so.
while. as you know, I have secured
a temporary position as helper at the
Mid-City Gas Station, nevertheless you
probably realize that secure very little
recompenSe for my services in this posi-
tion-barely enough to pay my house.
hold expenses, as matter OF fact.
There is yet another consideration
which actuates my attitude, and 1t is
this:
"You will probably recall that I once
before trusted my fate to the hands of
Police Trial Board composed strictly
of police officials. I was charged at
that tjr,n With an offenSe nf vuhirh I
felt perfectly innocent. Nevertheless,
they sentenced me to dismissal from the
police force. But ] was sustained by
the thought that / was innocent and
went to great expense. time and trouble
to present my appeal to the proper
authorities. My appeal was sustained.
l was restored to duty. If the alleged
feeling against me on the part of GER
tain police officials was SUFFICIENT to
cause a trial board composed strictly
of police officers to sentence me to dts
missal on one occasion without just
cause, they probably would do It again.
II have taken a great deal Of pleasure
in my work as q policeman. / dislike
the thought of losing my position
intensely Nothing gives me more salts
faction than playing personal part IN
the apprehending Of major criminals.
In spite of this, however. In view OF the
apparent determination OF District
oficials not to grant me an impartial
trial, / feel it useless for you to make
a defense in my behalf.
At want to make 1t clear that II is
my intention to appear at the time
specified before the trial board and
attempt to make such defense as IL is
possible In M own behalf, which Is all
! feel can aHord to do under the con-
ditions.'