Evening star., 1948-06-03
Inspector Letterman,
Two Captains Testify
AT Gambling Probe
By Chris Mothisen

Inspector Oscar j. Letterman, one
of the Police Departments most ex-
perienced gambling investigators,
was among witnesses today before
the special grand jury investigating
the reputed S100,000000 Washington
betting business.
The inquiry, being conducted in
the District Court Building, held to
the pattern of police testimony es-
tablished by previous recent ses-
sions. In addition to Inspector Let
terman. former vice squad chief, the
jurors listened to Capts. John E.
Fondahl of No. 8 precinct and
Charles Sullivan of No. IL.
None would discuss his testimony
with reporters.
Inspector Letterman would say
only that "the general picture of
gambling in the city was discussed, ;"
Long a Foe of Gambling.
A leader of many vice raids. dat
ing back to the illicit liquor forays
of prohibition days, Inspector Let
terman developed a reputation as
an energetic foe of organized gam
bling. Since relinquishing his super
vision over police antivice efforts,
he has been serving as a district
inspector of the important first
district.
He is responsible for police op-
erations in the No. /, No. 2, No. 3
and No. 7 precincts.
Capt. Fondahl said he was not
asked about gambling other than in
his own precinct-a relatively quiet,
largely residential area, which he
has commanded since last July /.
Plans Not known.
Capt. Sullivan's command adioins
Prince Georges County on one side
where police have said some large
Washington gambling operators have
maintained their headquarters. He
has been precinct captain since
April l.
While the meeting plans of the
investigative group have not been
made known in advance, it was con-
sidered probable the jurors would
not sit all day, in view of the
annual outing of the District Bar
Association this afternoon at the
Bethesda Country Club.
The outing customarily is at
tended by many members of the
staff of United States Attorney
George Morris Fay. Mr.. Fay and
two assistants, John w. Fihelly and
Charles B. Murray, have been as
sisting the special grand jury in
its inquiry.
Captains Silent on Testimony.
Capts. George r. Wallrodt of No.
3 Precinct, Clarence H. Lutz of No.
4 and James E. Silvea of No. IL
were heard yesterday afternoon.
None would discuss his testimony
with reporters, but it was presumed
they were asked about the extent of
gambling in their precincts. Earlier,
Capts. Beverly C. Beach of No. Z
and Albert I. Bullock of No. IS had
indicated this was the substance of
their testimony.
Meanwhile, 1t. Roy Blick, chief of
the Vice Squad, ordered a raid yes
terday on house in the 600 block Of
New Jersey avenue NV, which. he
said. served as numbers game
center and unlicensed barroom
Lottery Operators Charged.
Two persons were arrested,
charged with operating a lottery,
possession of lottery slips and SELL
ing liquor without a license. They
were released under 81, 500 bond each
for appearance today before United
States Commissioner Needham C.
Turnage.
They were booked as Robert c.
Thorpe, AZ. ard Bessie P. Thorpe,
35, both colored. said by 1t. Blick to
be husband and wife.
1t. Blick said quantity of num-
bers slips was found on the premi-
ses, together with a bar stocked with
expensive liquors and a safe con-
tanning s2,240 in cash.
The Vice Squad chief said seven
days investigation preceded the
raid. He added Thorpe had been
arrested at various times since 1945
on numbers charges and had paid
fines of s75 and $3.50 on two occa-