Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-22
UNION OFFICIALS
PROBING S172,O)O
FUND WHEN SHOT
Two of Three Attacked Nv
Gunman Investigating Al
legged Irregularities.
THREE UNDER ARREST
IN LANGDON WOUNDlNG
72-Year-0ld Editor, Still in Criti-
cal Condition, Unable to
Aid Inquiry.

Two OF the three officials of the In
ternational Union of Operating Engi-
neers who were attacked by a gunman
Wednesday afternoon were investigating
alleged irregularities by a former union
oIncial involving approximately $l72, 900
OF the unions funds, The Star learned
today
Meanwhile police have taken into Gus
tody three men. said to be former mem
bers OF the union. for questioning in
connection with the shooting of Frank
Langdon, 72-year-old labor editor. who
was hit by bullets intended. it is be-
lieved, for Arthur M Huddell. presi-
dent and John Possehl general secre-
tary. of the union.
Two Reported Away.
Two of the men are said to have
left Washington hurriedly Wednesday.
While none of those arrested Is ac-
cuSed Of being the gunnan. police said
they thought the trio might have some
information on the case.
No charges have been placed against
the men, who are being held at No
precinct. They were questioned there
today BIZ Headquarters Detectives
Barrett, wilson and Stepp and Capt.
Q. T. Davis and Precinct Detective
Bryant of No 2 precinct.
The former official, whose financial
affairs were under inquiry by Huddell
and PoSsehl, was in another city at
the time of the assault on the labor
officers in lunch room across from
union headquarters at Tenth and K
streets, police have established.
Langoon. in critical condition from
bullet wound in the eye, is unable T.
assist in the investigation, but HuddeIl
and Possehl did not recognize their
assailant and they believe he was hired
to put them on the spot"
Huddell Escaped Death.
Huddell escaped death in the fusillade
fired from two guns held by the denim
clad stranger. enc bullet fiattening itself
on leather hound notebook in pocket
directly over his heart. ossehl, exhibit
ing great presence of mind and cours ge.
used the lunch table as a shield and
pinned the gunman to the wall, divert
ing his aim temporarily. Powder marks
on Possehrs face gave evidence of his
narrow escape from two bullets fired at
close range
While probing the alleged diversion
of funds of the International Union.
Hudden and Possehl themselves became
involved in litigation arising from
charges by suspended members that the
officers had misused their authority and
had conspired to inappropriate funds
Several suits in this connection have
been dismissed in the District Supreme
Court, but another is pending in the
Court of Appeals.
Col. James Easby-Smith attorney for
the union. yesterday charged that the
district attorneys refusal to prosecute
a woman who horsewhipped a union Of
fetal last April, paved the way for the
gun attack.
Beginning of Inquiry.
Efforts of Huddell and PosSehl to
"straighten out" alleged financial diff
culties in which the union found itself
sore time ago, began after their arrival
here two years ago to establish national
headquarters of the unicn in this city.
The Offices formerly were in Chicago.
1t Is said the international officers
had discovered mum srous irregularities
in the unions accounts and were max
ing efforts to insure the union against
possible loss when the shooting occurred.
These efforts are being continued. in
conjunction with bonding concerns and
banks, it Is understood
The inquiry was launched after an
affiliate union in another city had COM
planned it had not been credited with
payment made by check some months
previously This led to an inveStiga-
ton Ct all assets of the organization,
including a fund of $136,000 set aside
for investment in authorized securi-
ties. 1t is said the inquiry disclosed
that unauthorized" securities had been
purchased.