The Washington times., 1930-02-14
3 DEAD, z HURT
IN DETROIT
HOLD-UP
(continusd from Page 10

who opened fire on the thugs, was
credited with saving the life Of
Hugh M. Griffin, night superin-
tendent Of the Western Union.
One Of the robbers shouted
"I'll get you for turning in that
alarm" He had leveled his
pistol at Griffin'S head and was
just about to fire when Neron
entered and began shooting.
The holdup was staged Just
like the one last week, but the
plans were awry this time. Two
Of the bandits entered the re
volving door on the corner while
one entered through the mes
senger'S door In the rear Of the
counter. One Of the pair In
front Of the counter threatened
the employees while the other
leaped over the counter and
scooped up $500 from the cash
drawer.
Turned In Alarm
Ash Blues, q money order clerk
In the rear Of the office was able
to turn In the alarm Just as the
thugs entered. It rang In the
office Of the American Still
Alarm Company, in the Western
Union Building and officers were
sent down the stairs on the run.
The thug behind the counter
SenSed that an alarm had been
turned in. He wheeled on his
way out and started for Griffin,
cursing and leveling his gun.
Just then Neron, the first police
man to get down the stairs,
entered another door into the
rear OF the office from the build.
ing lobby and opened fire on the
man aiming to shoot Griffin.
Bandits Fled.
Instead Of shooting at Griffin,
the bandit turned his gun on
Neron and fired four shots. One
hit the ceiling and three lodged
in the wall, q few inches from
Neron's head. The policeman
emptied his gun. Meanwhile the
bandit in the front Of the office,
and the one standing by the side
door, sprinted outside, closely fol
lowed by the thug who did the
shooting.
The man who had entered the
messenger door, and run out the
same, reached the street Just as
Catlin and Scott ran out Of the
building lobby. The two officers
opened fire and so did the
bandits. All three fell in their
tracks.
The other two thugs started for
a coupe, parked across the street
and dashed towards the river.
When they heard the shooting
between their companion and the
officers, they turned in the oppo-
site direction.
Brandished Guns
They stopped and ran into the
street brandishing their guns,
and stopped a passerby driving
his automobile.
They forced him from the car
and leaped in. They attempted
to turn around in the street.
Patrolman Rails, who had heard
the shooting while walking his
beat, came Sprinting UP just at
that time.
Police say they believe the dead
bandit had committed suicide,
when he saw escape was impoS-
sible.
The bullet wound in the dead
thugs head, upon casual exam
ination, appeared to be Self-in.
flicted. police say.
DETROIT, Feb. IL U.N.sJ-
Covert whiSperingS of feudS in
the police department had risen
to angry shouts today, with
former Commissioner William p.
Rutledge and Superintendent
James Sprott openly revealed aS
bitter enemies.
The two veterans took their
battle into the open as the police
trial board adjourned its hearing
yesterday and were expected to
continue today.
Rutledge accused Sprott and
Sprott accused Rutledge. Rut-
ledge had testified that he heard
rumors about $40, 900 having been
placed in the automobile of In
Spector Henry j. Garvin, of the
crime and bomb squad.
Rutledge charges ranged all the
way from the allegation that
Sprott "fixed" Detective Adolph
van Coppenolle so he would not
repeat his Mcpherson plot story
to kill Garvin, to the assertion
that Sprott lied when he said he
did not know why Inspector Pat
O'Grady was transferred in 1927
to a precinct "out on the prairies. !"