Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-08-02
Shimon and Christian Inves-
tigated for Alleged Assault
on Crippled Janitor.
COLORED MAN CHARGES
HE WAS HIT IN MOUTH
Classmate Of Hoover Brings Mat
ter Up for Official At
tention.

Still under suspension on one charge
of beating a prisoner, Third Precinct
Detectives Joseph W. Shimon and w.
V. Christian today were under inves-
tigation in connection with another al
legged assault on crippled 52-year old
colored janitor on July 20.
Eliza T. Ford, janitor OF Marion
Apartments, 1000 H street, in a signed
statement. charged that while being
questioned by the two detectives con-
corning the theft Of laundry package
from the apartment house, he was
struck in the mouth by Christian, the
blow breaking his false teeth.
Writer Reports Case.
Archie Rice, a writer, who said he
was classmate of Herbert Hoover at
Stanford University, officially brought
the case to the District Commissioners
and the Superintendent of Police. Act
ing Superintendent L. I. H Edwards
referred the charges to Inspector Thad-
deus A. Bean, in charge of the first po-
lice district, for investigation.
Ford stated he was taken in CUSTODY
on July 20 by Detective Shimon and
accompanied by an official Of the
Laundry Co., was taken
to the third precinct station During
questioning in the captains office. he
said, Christian came in and sat down
beside him
He asked me did I know anything
about the laundry and I told him I did
not. but one of the tenants in the
building said she saw a colcred man
take package of that description" said
Ford
He then asked me what was that
tenants name and told him 1 couldn't
tell without her consent Mr.. Chris
tan said, You can't, eh?' He immedi-
ately jumped up, cursed me and slapped
me in the mouth.
Il said oh, don't hit me like that
I'm not physically able. I'm a cripple
man with one foot and have a double
rupture
He said; You amt Ell? That's too
bad. That's liable to be the cause of
me killing you. You haven't got sense
enough to tell the truth
"Shimon spoke and said: Take him
back there and lock him up and let him
cool off,"
Ford said he then was taken before
the desk sergeant, booked and searched.
He said during the searching he was
holding his left jaw with his right hand
and that he told the sergeant Christian
had broken his teeth. He said Christian
then replied: Yes and you're a thief,
aren't you?"
Released on Writ.
The next day Ford's employers re-
tanned an attorney for him and on Sat-
urday he was released on a writ Of
habeus corpus. Before he was released
ne explained to the detectives that the
reason he had not given the name of
the woman, Mrs jamie Gibson, was
that he had promised her he would not
reveal her name.
Altogether, Fords experience with the
third precinct police cost him S54, he
said. 1t cost him s35 to have his teeth
repaired, SIS for the attorney and 81
loss in wages during his confinement in
the precinct station, he said.
The case against Shimon and Chris
tian on charges of attacking Thomas B.
Washington, 26-year- colored tap
dancer, will be ignored by the United
States attorneys Office, it developed
yesterday due to the refusal of WASH
mgton to prosecute. WaShington's de-
cision not to prosecute was made known
at conference yesterday afternoon
attended by his attorney. William Hus-
ton, and Assistant United States Attor-
ney Milford S. Schwartz.
Inspector Edwards said that when
he receives the report of Inspector
Bean on the Washington case he may
take the matter up with Corporation
Counsel William w. Bride with a view
to possible trial board action against
the two detectives. However, he said,
that If Washington does not change
his mind 1t would be virtually i'm
possible to obtain a conviction before
the Police Trial Board, inasmuch as
there would be no complainant.
Washington, arraigned in Police
Court today on a charge of joyriding.
a charge placed against him when an
allegedly stolen automobile was found
in his possession, was held for grand
jury action under $500 bond.