Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-26
U. S. PROBE or D. c.
POLICE IS ASKED
RelCheIderfer Sees Hoover,
Getting Presidents Sup
port for Inquiry.
tcOnslnned Prom rlrst rags.l

H9rker fe8kStekD0 on AnuIbuny Mt9hAb
which was the night OF the alleged
the four policemen Df maitreating him
completed the l1le.
THE completed tivestieation Of the
Police Department shows that nobody
was questioned as TO what was Harker's
physical condition ct and Immediately
before the time Of his arrest, although
persons working with him in the bakery
at 101 North Capitol street ct which
he was employed, were said 70 be Teady
70 testify that there were no marks on
Harker at the time Of his arrest.
DR.. Reichelderfer said that no de-
eision had been made as to whether
the trial board would be made UP OF
District employees or of citizens not con-
nected with the government. Mr.. Bride,
who was with him when he made this
statement; pointed out that i would be
of volunteer citizens, but that the lew
would be satisfied II the members CT
the board were paid purely nominal
compensation such as 81 week. In
all events, they must be on, the Dis
trict pay roll IN some capacity while sit
ting as members Of the board,
Two New Charges Added.
two new charges of police brutality
were added to the growing list today.
The accusations were made by Frank
Kostyo. one Of the two men arrested
with Frederick G. Sampson, whose signed
statement appeared In The Star yester-
day, and Francis p. Carman, 3 prisoner
ct L0rt0n.
Kostyo. who Is serving a six-nnonth
sentence at Occoqua1 for vagrancy, de-
clared that he was beaten internationally
Throughout the three days he was held
at the first precinct police station.
Kostyo. Sampson and the other man
arrested with them griIled for three
days. they said, in connection with the
attempted robbery Of q iewelry store
near Fifteenth and streets.
Elabcrating on his signed statement,
Kostyo asserted he was not permitted
to communicate with his former en1-
ployer or any one else. They wouldn't
even let me hire lawyer" he said.
Says Policemen Beat Him.
Although Kostyo insisted he knew
nothing Of the attempted robbery, he
continued three policemen beat him
IN an effort to force him 70 confess"
HTfey beat me with their fists three
times 3 day" he asserted. AT times,
two Of them beat me at the same time.
One of them bit me with q club that
looked Ike 8 sawed-of pool cue"
Carn1arl, who is serving term Of
year and q day for robbery, said he was
arrested IN connection with q previous
case IN which his brother and another
youth were involved.
he was taken to the third precinct
police station, he said, and questioned
regarding his knowledge Of the crime.
At the station, he declared, he was
beaten by two detectives, whose names
The star withholds, pending further
investigation.
Nose and Mouth BIed.
When Carman told the o1ncers he
had no knowledge Of the robbery, he
said. they struck him with their hsts:
''They beat me about the face for Is
minutes or more, until my nose and
mouth bled," he asserted. The detec-
tives finally succeeded in forcing Car
man to sign q statement duplicating
his brother and the other man, he
added.
K0Styo,s statahsa<kl corcborated
similar one made BIZ Sampson, who IS
held ct the District jail on . burglary
cnarge. sampson declared he was IN
when Kostyo. who had never been AZ
rested before. was hit with q sawed
on pool stick. Another detective,
armed with broom handle, threatened
him several times. Sampson said.
Both Kostyo and Sampson asserted
they were shown blood stains on the
Aoor and warned that their blood
would be there, too, II they did not
"admit" having attempted 70 break
into the jewelry store.
Would Eradicate Psactiee.
The suspension OF the four police
men late yesterday was followed by
request from DR.. Reichelderfer that
the grand jury "sift to the bottom"
the charges of police brutality, to the
end that II the charges are subStan-
fiated those responsible may be severe
" punished" and the practice ''cona-
pletely eradicated from the depart
ment'
dressed 70 District Attorney Rover, fol-
lows:
HTne Commissioners Of the District Of
Columbia are intensely interested In
having q thorough, unbiased and inde-
pendent Investigation Of the statements
made by one James Henry Harker, who
alleges that he was severely beaten by
certain members Of the Metropolitan
Police Force Of the District Of Columbia
on August 81, 1881, for the alleged rea-
son among others Of compelling his adj
mission Of guilt on charge involving
the commission Of q felony. They be-
1ieve that the grand jury now cOnstt-
tslted, having the power to compel the
attendance and testimony Of witnesses,
Is eminent1y qualified to make this in
I vestigation and reach determination
In the matter.
THE Commissioners sincerely hope
that you win present their wishes TO
the grand Jury at the nrst available
moment.
Various statements also have been
made as TO q practice of admin
istering rough treatment and third de-
gree methods to other persons than
Harker, and the Commissioners earnest
ly desire that such statements De thus
likewise investigated.
ut Is hoped that you viii appreciate
both the gravity Of TIE charges and the
intensity Of the desire Of the Commits
sioners that these charges be sifted to
the bottom. You may assure the grand
jury Of the fullest cooperation Of the
District. of Columbia Government"
stoll Recommends Dismissal.
The policemen were suspended on a
accommodation by Inspector Stoil. as
signed to investigate the case. The re-
port, however, still left an avenue Of
escape for the suspended policemen in
that there Is no positive statement that
they beat the prisoner. A distinctly con-
trary possibility Is limited al when the
report says numerous officers have
stated that HarkeT's face was swollen
and red when he was sent TO the station.
II he did receive same from other
sources than what he claims. the clIi-
GERS in this case have suffered mentally
more and have (been) done greater
injustice than he has physically"
There Is nothing IN the report to
show Just what Harkers condition was
at the time OF the arrest other than
the remark about his red and swollen"