Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-02

in which Harker says he was assaulted
Government agents found Is spots on
the floor. suggestive of bloodstairs
These spots we're Scraped and the resi-
due submitted to a Federal chemist for
examination. 1t is understood the
chemist was unable to say whether the
stains were of blood or some other
liquid.
Among the evidence to be shown the
grand jury in addition to HaTker's black
eye are press photographs OF his face
and back, taken shortly after his re-
lease from the station house in custody
CT his attorney. These photographs
show plainly that Harker was the
victim Of a severe beating at the hands
of someone. Inspector Stoll, in his re-
port to Maj. Pratt, said he was con-
WINGED Harker had been attacked either
just before his arrest or Immediately
after The inspectors report questioned
the veracity of Harker and called at
tention to the assortment of afidayits
by policemen of the precinct. all deny
ing knowledge Of any brutality used on
Harker or any one else.
Confers with Keith.
Rover spent most of yesterday in
secret conference with John M. Keith,
inspector in charge of the investigation.
All evidence was reviewed and a course
of procedure agreed upon. 1t was
planned to call civilian witnesses In
advance of certain policemen. The
policemen may not appear before to-
morrow.
About two-score witnesses have been
placed under subpoena in the first
group Of cases, but others may be sum-
moned during the course Of the grand
jury inquiry. Names of the witnesses
are being carefully guarded, N view OF
threats that have been made to several
of them. The attempted intimidation
aroused justice officials to send for
the offenders and warn them OF drastic
penalties that will be invoked If further
complaints are received. One OF those
receiving q personal warning was
man well known to the police here. He
was accused of advising q witness to
LAY of" or he would And himself
forced to take the rap" Another
personal warning is reported to aaye
been conveyed to relative OF one OF
the policemen under suspension In the
Harker case. Both alleged offenders
denied having threatened the Wit
neSseS.
Court Action Impossible.
The threats we're made just before
the witnesses were subpoenaed, so that
court action against the intimidators
of the threats that led the Government
to send a flying squadron" OF deputy
marshals over the city Saturday to
serve subpoenas on all the witnesses.
Launching the grand jury proceed
!ngs has not interrupted the sweeping
investigation of third degree charges
by Federal agents. More than a score
Of other instances Of allies ed brutality
by police are being r. ,ed by the
augmented corps of investigators.
None OF the additional cases has been
completed, SO that grand jury action
will be asked this week In the Ave
original cases only. AS further evidence
of cruelty is collected, 1t will be pre-
scented to the grand jury, II Develop
mentS warrant criminal action.
Seek Early Report.
There Is . possibility that the grand
jury will report its findings in the
five cases before the close OF this week:
Presentments ordinarily are returned
on Friday. Every effort is being made
to expedite presentation of the cases,
with a view to an early report.
On developments In the grand Jury
room will hinge the possibility OF
perjury action against certain officers
of the first precinct. who recently signed
statements denying any knowledge OF
third-dcgree practices there. Some Of
the officers already have amended"
their statements under questioning by
agents and thsre are ihdl-
cations that several statements will be
revised when the policemen are put
under oath before the grand Jury. II
the policemen tell the truth before
the grand jury, perjury action will be
averted. regardless Of the contents OF
their original sianed statements.