Evening star., 1936-11-11
THIRD CONSTABLE
|NPR|NCE GEORGES
| REL|EVEDGf DUTY
Board Refuses to Conduct
Independent Inquiry of
Police Actions.
NICE TO HEAR OF PROBE
AT AUTO CLUB Meeting
D. C. Motorists Testimony Re-
suits in Suspension of
Frank Bell.

Rapid-fire developments in the
Prince Georges County, Md, police
investigation yesterday brought the
Board of Commissioners suspension
of third constable. repeated refusal
to conduct an independent inquiry
and assurance that the group would
not "whitewash" the affair.
The inquiry is slated to be brought
to the attention Of Gov. Nice and other
State officials here on December 9,
when the Maryland executive. together
with Attorney General Herbert r.
O'Conor and Speaker Emmanuel Cor
fine of the House of Delegates, meet
with the Keystone Automobile Clubs
Board of Directors.
George Keneipp. manager Of the
auto club, said the trio had "tenta-
lively" accepted an invitation to at
tend the meeting, when the question Of
relieving congestion on the Defense
Highway at Bladensburg and the ex-
tension of New Hampshire avenue, as
well as the Prince Georges police
probe, will be discussed.
Although the county's governing
agency had previously outlawed
motion to suspend Frank Bell. Hyatts-
vile station clerk, in its morning
session, testimony of a Washington
motorist, charging false arrest and
assault, finally resulted in the order
during the afternoon meeting.
For the third time, the board re-
fused to initiate its own study Of
graft charges. A strong plea from
the Hyattsville mayor and Common
Council, presented in letter-form by
H. winship Wheatley. jr.. sought
separate investigation by the group.
Amid vehement denials of white.
wash" by Commissioner Joseph Bland
ford, who opposed the independent
investigation, a motion for the boards
inquiry by Commissioner Vinton D.
Cockey was defeated, to /, in the
morning session. Chairman Perry
Boswell was absent.
Records to Be Furnished.
One of the most important steps
in the investigation was consum.
mated yesterday when States Attor.
ney Alan Bowie officially notified the
commissioners that photostatic copies
of court records. for checking against
District motorists affidavits, would be
furnished the board.
The commissioners action in Bells
suspension duplicated last Thursdays
move when they temporarily expelled
Policemen Warren E. Peake and
Claude A. Reese. In removing Bell
from duty, the board fulfilled its
avowed intention ito suspend any
officers against whom sufficiently
substantiated charges may be made"
Complainant against Bell was Ed.
ward K. Bolton, 2l-year-old Govern
ment employe, of 1860 Mintwood
place He testified that the officer ar
rested him for traffic violations on the
Defense Highway last August, took
him before justice of the peace. who
placed him under S1,100 bond, and
mcarcerated him in the Hyattsville
! Jail when he refused to meet the bond.
Bolton charged that Bell struck him
during an argument following the ar
rest.
Says Collateral Posted.
After several hours in Hyattsville
lookup, the complainant said, Bell
offered to release him on collateral of
sl1.70. Bolton declared that he paid
that sum and left the station house.
Bells suspension was based on Com
missioner Cockey's contention that the
officer, as a desk clerk, had no au-
thority to make a misdemeanor ar
rest.
In their morning session the COM
missioners overruled Cockeys mo-
ton for Bells suspension by an
amendment tc the order which would
have submitted the case to the grand
jury, recently recessed. but sched-
uled for recall next month to in
vestigate widespread charges of police
corruption. Bottoms affidavit. given to
the commissioners, is one of 100 taken
by the Keystone Automobile Club
from Washington motorists during the
last two months.
When States Attorney Bowie pre-
sents copies of the court records, i'm
pounded by the grand jury. to the
board, the Keystone-co collected state
ments will be submitted for a fol-
low-up of each case cited by the
Capital drivers.
More Suspensions Indicated.
When these records have been OBJ
tanned. the commissioners intend to
suspend every officer involved in ir.
regularities, 1t was learned last night.
If the board gets the court records
and affdavits next Tuesday, at least
two more suspensions are expected.
Commissioner Cockey. who has un-
successfully led the struggle for an
Independent board INJURY. yesterday
characterized current police procedure
as open banditry on the road" Since
the investigation was opened by the
grand jury Cockey has attempted to
initiate separate study by the boare
on grounds that the commissioners
must determine whether its police.
men are suitable to hold Office"
Opposing Cockey have been coI-
leagues who believe that the vhols
matter must be handled exclusively
by the grand jury.
The commissioners appointed Rar,
Krauss of Riverdale to fill the va.
cancy created by Officer Bells susnen.
sion. No policemen have been names