Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
Hunts Counsel
Hits Legality
of Report.
FOUR ACCUSED
POST $1,000 BOND
Other Precincts Are
Involved i'm New
Cases.

will be expedited "as much as
practicable, United States At
torney Leo A. Rover announced
yesterday. At the same time Al
bert w. Jacobsen, attorney for Po-
liceman Joseph H. Hunt, accused
by the grand jury of having
framed" Policeman Orville Sta
Piles, made preparations to attack
the legality of the jurys report in
the Staples case in an effort to
have it eXpunged from the records
of the District Supreme Court.
Hunts removal from the force
for the part he is alleged to have
played in the alleged framing" of
former Policeman Staples was one
of the major recommendations in
the grand Jury report. The report
also recommended the reinstate-
ment of Staples and punishment
of all those responsible for his dis
miSSal.
The five indicted police officers-De-
tective James A. MoStyn and Privates
William R. Latin, William T. Bur-
roughS William c. Grooms and George
E. Perry-are to be arraigned Friday
before Chief Justice Alfred A. Wheat
OF the District Supreme. Court. Four
of them already have given bond Of
$1,000 each on assault charges. The
fifth. Grooms, is out of the city. but has
notified the court he will make bond
Tuesday.
Probe Force Increased.
Further grand jury action will be
sought this week on additional evidence
OF third-degree practices produced by a
great augmented force of Federal
agents, operating under Inspector John
M. Keith. in charge of the local field
Office of the Bureau of Investigation.
1t is understood bureau agents have
virtually completed preparation Of sew
eral more cases for consideration of
the grand jury. The new cases are
said to involve precincts other than
the first. and are regarded by the De-
partment of Justice as being lust as
ironclad" as the ones in which indict-
ments were obtained.
In an effort to dispose quickly of ap-
proXimately twenty-five additional cases
now under investigation. Director Hoo
yer has brought dozen extra agents
here over the weekend, it was aScer-
tanned yesterday
Will Work Night and Day.
The enlarged corps of expert under
cover men will work night and day. in
Guiding Sundays and Labor day. with
view to cleaning up all outstanding
cases within week or 10 days. Head
quarters of the local field Office, from
which Inspector Keith is directing
operation of his staff. was the scene
OF unprecedented activity Yesterday.
When the grand jury is finished with
criminal phases of third degree charges
1t is predicted that administrative angles
will be considered The inquiSitorial
body is known to be DESTROYS of learn
ing whether there is widespread third
degree system in Washington, and
whether such a system. If it exists, is
known to "higher-up
1t is quite likely the jurors will want
10 submit to the court special report
. on its inquiry into administrative ques-
tions. The jury already has questioned
two police officials, Inspector Louis J.
Stoll and Capt. w E. Holmes, the lat
ter commander of the first precinct.
Both, it is reported. were questioned,
not only regarding the specific charges
against five officers of Holmes precinct.
but as to their attitude toward the
third degree and their knowledge con-
corning its existence in the department.
Deny knowledge of Beatings.
Both Stoll and Holmes have denied
knowledge of any beatingS of any kind
anywhere. The inspector and the pre-
cinct commander were in the latter
Office when James Henry Harker, chief
prosecution witness. is alleged to have
been beaten by four first precinct po-
licemen, on August % last. Both off,
cials said they heard no disturbance IN
the adjoining squad room. since nick
named the third degree room.
There is a possibility the grand Jury
will express a desire to question other
high police officials before ending It's
investigation. Possible criticism OF the
Police Department for the way IL con-
Quoted its inquiry in the Harker case
also is foreseen by those In touch WIN
court house developments
In accordance with instructions given
him at the outset of the Government
probe. Director Hoover Is contlnmg MS
bureau to an investigation OF third de-
gree charges only. Complaints alleging
police corruption are not WITHIN MS
jurisdiction. Hoover holds.
The Government investigators are
said to have visited the identlncatlon
bureau of police headquarters YESTERDAY
and removed photographs OF nine OH
GERS. It was said that the photographs
would be displayed to complaining VII
nesses in an effort to identify policemen
accused OF DedClIlS plASoL1CAo'
Plan Civilian Board.
The threat of Attorney Jacobson to
attempt to have the grand jury report
On the Staples cases wiped from the
records. following an announcement by
the District Commissioners Of plans to
create a special board of outstanding
citizens to consider and act on the
grand jury recommendations.
THE entire report of the grand jury"
said a statement issued by Jacobson. is
astonishing in that there is no author
ity in law for such report and at the
proper time efforts will be made to have
it expunged from the records OF the
court"
The statement also denied the charges
made against Hunt in the report and de-
clared any connection he had with the
Staples case will stand the acid test"
Hunt most emphatically denies the
charges made against him in the grand
jury report of the Staples case" Jacob
son said, land at the proper time will