Evening star., 1936-10-27
NJ a stan CORRESPONDENT o. The Star.

\, a Stan Correspondent o. The Star.
UPPER MARLBORO. Md, October
e7-While refusing to conduct an in
dependent investigation of Prince
Georges County police-bonding pro-
cedure, the County Board of Commis-
sioners this Afternoon agreed to pay
expenses for Investigators to assist the
States attorney, should he want such
assistance.
By q 80 vote the board quashed
the suggestion of Commissioner Vinton
D. Cockey that it institute its own
INQUIRY into charges recently con-
sidered by the grand jury. The
boards refusal to make the investiga-
ton, according to Cockey, was prompt
cd by "the lack of specific charges
against policemen brought before the
board"
II the States attorney desires to
employ trained investigators, as rec
commended by the grand jury yester-
day, to assist him prior to q recall Of
the panel the board will pay necessary
expenses.
Refusal Is Surprise.
The commissioners refusal to con-
duct their own investigation was a
surprise, since several board members
had previously stated they wished ito
get to the bottom of it all"
Voting in favor Of the separate in
euiry with Cockey was Commissioner
Harry McNamee. Opposing the pro-
posal were Chairman Perry Boswell,
Joseph H. Blandford and James b.
Berry.
According to Cockey, w. r. c. Con-
nick, grand jury foreman, had Tex
pressed q desire to appear before the
group" but the board did not respond.
Two Riverdale residents appeared be-
fore the commissioners to make gen.
eral complaints concerning police
treatment in their community.
State Trooper Accused.
The county's bargain fine" inves-
tigation, already involving part of the
county police force and at least one
bondsman, expanded yesterday to in
clude a Maryland attorney and an
unidentified State policeman.
While the grand Jury in Upper Marl-
boro, Md, recommended thorough
inquiry Of charges that Washington
motorists have been victimized through
police-bonding collusion, Keystone
Automobile Club lawyers, collecting
evidence for q special session of the
jury, revealed an affidavit showing
this newest advance in the investiga-
ton.
The declaration, made by Henry c.
Wright Of 1922 8 street southeast, has
been filed with some SO others COL
lected in six weeks of probing into the
police bonding racket.
Bribe Offers Reported.
Shortly before Wright's afiidavit
was made public, three other wit
nesses reported that attempts to buy
them on" had been made. Failing to
identify the would-be bribers, the
witnesses reported the incidents to At
torneys Harvey L. Cobb and Walter
Newrath, with Offices in the National
Press Building.
One of the complainants said he had
been offered $500 for certain re-
ceipts." Another witness reported an
offer which would make it worth
while" to drop his complaint in the
case. Raymond r. Iannucci Of 30s
Sixth street declared he had been ap-
preached at his home Sunday night
when two men, one Of whom fiuently
spoke Italian, agreed to pay him $40
before midnight" Iannucci filed suit
against Bondsman Elmer Pumphrey
Of Suitland, Md, for $40 in the Upper
Marlboro Circuit Court last Saturday.
According to Wright's affidavit, the
first witness statement involving au-
thorities other than police and bonds
men, the complainant was arrested on
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Boulevard
in Howard County near the Prince
Georges line by State trooper, who
charged him with drunken driving
and reckless driving.
,.,. Ofacer Paid $25, Charge.
After 0 night in the Ellicott City
Jail, Wright averred, he was released
under 81, 900 bond and paid $50
bonding fee to Q Prince Georges
County bondsman. A few days later,
according to the afidsvit, Wright met
the bondsman, an attorney and the Of
ficer. During this conference, Wright
declared, the attorney instructed the
policeman how to testify in court. The
case was dismissed for lack Of evidence.
Wright said.
After the trial, according to the af-
fdavit, the attorney paid the arrest
ing officer $25 and gave the bonds
man $50.
In its report the grand jury stated
1t had unearthed enough evidence to
warrant q thorough investigation and
sugkested 1t be reconvened when this
has been completed.
'sAs much Of the work Is tedious,
intricate and technical, both time
!. and money will be saved by the EN-
! Sployment of trained Investigators, "
fthes report stated.
Upon reading the report, Judge
e11attingiy told the panel be would
Sfise the proposal careful considera-
Stionr and reconvene the jury II such
action appears desirable after informa-
Nm on. certain criminal activities
zN61ch appear to have gained foot
sh0Id In the county" has been gathered.