Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-28
WOMAN IS SOUGHT
IN DOUTH|TT CASE
Police Attach Little lmpoF-
lance to Charges Against
Gamblers Here.

Continued From First Page.)
ner Saturday night and beat him over
the head with q pipe viii be under ar
rest soon, but until then he does not
expect to learn the motive for the
attack.
In the meantime, Douthitt is report
ed to be resting comfortably" at Cas-
ua1ty Hospital Although his condition
is still regarded as serious, his recovery
is expected.
One Of the reports which detectives
investigated and cast aside was that
Dout1itt may have been assaulted by q
former business associate who had been
involved in litigation with him over @
financial affair. Inspector Shelby said
this man was questioned last night and
again today, and established an air.
tight, alibi.
Jury Probe ScOated.
Despite reports that the grand jury
would be asked to Sift Douthitt's
charges Of widespread gambling activ-
tiles in the first police precinct, Collins
said he would not present the case to
the grand jury unless the Police De-
partment offers some concrete evidence
to support the charges.
Collins said he interviewed Douthitt
at the hospital late yesterday, but do
not get any information which would
warrant a grand jury investigation
statement attributed to him in q news
paper, that Washington police were re-
sponSible for the attack on him.
Inspector Shelby also declared thai
thus far the police department had nc
evidence on which to ask for . grand
jury investigation. "An we have" hG
said, ''is lot Of charges, counterchar9es
denials and gossip
Shelby Tells Of Talk.
Inspector Shelby also interviewed
Douthitt at the hospital late yesterday
but obtained no information. he said
which would justify . grand Jury IN
quify. Douthitt, he said, reiterated hi:
statement that he was attacked by two
unidentified men who entered his apart
ment under the guise Of insurance
agents and also insinuated members O
the FIRST precinct were shielding gamh
ling houses.
According to Shelby, Douthitt told OF
an alleged conversation with q gambler
who, he said, had been told by members
OF the first precinct that he could oper-
ate his house as long as he paid IAN ice
bill" at the first precinct station.
This bill. he declared. was intended
to keep things cool'' for the gamblers
and amounted to about So zoo q month
Assistant United States Attorney Col
Inns pointed out he talked with Douthit
after Inspector Shelby's inerview, ant
the injured man made no refeFenc,
whatever to the purported conversation
with the gambler.
Opposed Capt. Burke.
Douthitt several times since the as
sault had declared his only enemies II
the Police Department we're in the frs
precinct, and officials have heard storie.
to the effect that he outspokenly op.
posed the proposed promotion Of Capt
Frank s. w. Burke to be chief Of de.
tectives July /. Capt. Burke Is now tax
ing special course at Northwestern
University on criminal Investigation.
Douthitt also is known to have beer
bitter IN hts denunciation Of Lieut.
Frank Varney, who has been in com
mand of the first precinct during Oh,
absence Of Capt Burke. He blamed
Lieut.. varney for engineering q resolu
/ ton through the Policemen's Associa
ton, condenning his business method
in soliciting advertising for the polic'
publication.
Vice Squad Active.
Police officials today called attention
to the last report Of Inspector r. r
Bean, in command Of the central vic
squad, showing it has been unusuall
active in rounding up Washington gam
hlers.
In the period between January an,
April 20 the report showed the squa,
made 81 gambling raids, 20 Of them II
bookmaking establishments. Twenty
| four persons were arrested for operating
numbers" games, for running q poke
game. for conducting lottery,
| for operating a craps game and 70
| operating a slot machine.
In 40 Of these cases convictions re
suited, but the penalties were chieh
fines, ranging from $50 to 5000. In tn
ma ority Of cases, however, the fine
| were $50.
The small fines imposed. it was point
| ed out, will not serve to break up gam
bling. In cases were the fines amour
10 $50, 1t was said, this could be con
sidered nothing less than . fee 70
doing business.