Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-03
Capt. Holmes Called.

Capt. w. E. Holmes, commander of
the precinct, also has been summoned.
Capt. Holmes and Inspector Ston we're
in the captains Office, adjoining the
so-called ''third-degree room" about
the time of Harker's alleged beating,
but they have denied hearing any dis
turbance.
Holmes and Sergt. E. P. Lee also we're
notlhed this morning to be ready to
testify at the afternoon session.
The grand jury adjourned for lunch
shortly after noon after hearing only a
handful of witnesses. District Attorney
Rover announced that the grand jury's
report undoubtedly would be ready to-
morrow. As the grand jury recessed for
lunch, word was conveyed to the group
Of approximately IS waiting WITNESSES
that they were excused for the time be-
ing, but TO hold themselves in readiness
for possible call later
While the evidence amassed by the
United States Bureau of Investigation
was directed only toward alleged crimi-
nal aspects of the five first precinct
cases. it is known that testimony tend
ing to reflect on the police administra-
ton has been introduced "as a matter
of course"
Such testimony is believed to have
aroused the curiosity Of the grand jury
and to have induced the decision to
widen the scope of the inquiry.
Testimony Conflicts.
Testimony and evidence received yes
terday was in marked conflict with
statements contained in a sheaf of
signed reports from first precinct po-
licemen submitted by Inspector Stoll to
Maj Pratt. After these statements
were made, Commissioner Luther H.
Reichelderfer, president of the board,
and w. w. Bride, corporation counsel,
appealed to President Hoover for
Federal investigation.
The police statements, signed by most
Of the staff of the precinct, denied
knowledge Of an attack on Harker and
also of any, third-degree practices in
their station house. Subsequently sew
eral Of the policemen are understood
to have amended their statements I'M
der questioning of Federal operatives.
Witnesses Guarded.
approximately 80 witnesses were on
hand when the grand jury resumed its
deliberations this morning. The Wit
nesses were kept under guard in room
occupied ordinarily by the Motions
Court. Deputy marshalS escorted them
to and from the grand jury room and
WOulQ permit tnem 10 speak 10 no enc.
Most of the witnesses were told to
be present in case the grand jury should
decide to hear their testimony, but it
was expected not all of them would be
called. There were no policemen in
uniform to be seen among the FIRST
group of witnesses.
Apparently the grand jury disposed
Of all but one of the five cases yester-
day. Identity of the victims Of the al
legged beatings in the four cases other
than that of Harker is being kept Sc
cret. All of the additional cases how
ever. are known to be of quite recent
origin and several involved the same
policemen of the first precinct.
Reporters recognized among the wit
neSseS Walter johnson, colored, who
previously had complained of an assault
allegedly by policemen of the first
precinct. Presumably johnson is enc
of the witnesses in the four additional
cases.
Hoover Keeps in Touch.
j. Edgar Hoover, director of the Blu
reau of Investigation, is keeping in per-
sonal touch with both the grand jury
proceedings and the bureaus investi-
cation of approximately IS ether
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