Evening star., 1948-06-17
GambIingP ProbersQuiz..
Witnesses in Shooting.
0f2in Brass Rail Case.
By Chris Mothisen

ing which took place in cafe last
January was matter of specula-
tion today, following appearance
before the special grand jury yes
terday OF several persons believed
to have information about the case
Two of the witnesses admitted
they had been questioned about the
affray. which became known as the
Brass Rail Case" through the name
of the cafe at 1739 Seventh street
NV, in which it occurred.
They were M A Dixon, detec-
tive assigned to the police robbery
squad, and Charles Nichols OF the
1900 block of C street Sc. brother
of Detective Sergt. Reuben R. MIC
hols OF the robbery squad. Both are
colored.
Detective Dixon said he knew
little OF the case, having come into
it late. He said he had been asked
about the questioning of reputed
numbers game figure, which fol-
lowed the shooting.
Mr.. Nichols said he was asked
about the same aspect of the case.
Sergt. Nichols Also Testifies.
Sergt. Nichols also testified, but
would not say what questions were
asked him. The same was true of
1t. Daniel D. Pittman. only cOlored
lieutenant on the force. 1t was
presumed. however. they were
queried as to what they had learned
of the background of the shotlng
The incident occurred on jan
uarv 7. According to the police re-
port Henry NJ Leake. 80, of the
100 block Of r street NE. and
Charles Henry Nelson, 80, of the
1850 block Of H street NE, wounded
each other with pistols.
Both men. who are colored, are
awaiting trial on charges of assault
with intent 10 kill
The official report did not indi-
cate the cause of the dispute, but
there have been persistent rumors
it had a gambling angle. Appa1
emily the special grand jury want
&c to determine whether these re-
ports had a basis in fact
Among other witnesses yesterday
was Ida M Powell, 43, colored, of
the 100 block of Seventh street
NE, who has been awaiting SEN
fencing, after pleading guilty to
numbers game charges.
Verdict Due in Tax Case.
In Baltimore. verdict was eX-
pected in the case of an admitted
former Washington numbers opera
tor who went on trial yesterday on
charges of eVading approximately
S23 900 in income taxes for the
years l94l-l943.
The defendant, Elbe C. Belts, 81,
colored. of the 1900 block of Hamlin
street NE. testified he could not
compute his taxes accurately because
it was impossible for him to keep
complete records of his gambling
business.
Belts said he quit the numbers
game in 1914 and interested him.
self thereafter in real estate in
vestments.
He declared that in his CONVEX
sationS with Bureau of Internal
Revenue agents he never had been
advised to get out of the illegal
enterprise, The agents appeared
interested only in seeing that he
maintained adequate records, Belts
said
Gross Put at S1,600,000.
Justice w Calvin Chestnut, con-
ducting the trial in Federal District
Court, said he found this "surpris-
ing
Belts attorney told the court his
clients gross business for the years
involved in the case was about
81 600 900
The Government charges his per-
sonal earnings for the years
amounted to about s97,750, as
against the s5O.0O2 reported.
Belts admitted he once was ar
rested by Washington police on
numbers charges. He said the
charges we're nolle pressed. Police
records show such an arrest and
disposition in 1912.
Vice Squad Arrests Three.
Police of the Vice Squad ar
rested three persons yesterday
afternoon in house in the
first block of Patterson street NE,
after repeatedly making numbers
plays there with marked money. 1t
Roy Blick. squad chief, said two
undercOver men had represented
themselves to the occupants as Just
getting started in the numbers
game" in order to obtain their con-
fidenCe
Those arrested were booked as
Lcll Johnson 40. Mrs. Louise E.
johnson, 43. and Miss Novella Cog
hill. 21 All are colored
The JohnsonS were charged with
operating a lottery and possession
of numbers slips and released under
$500 bond each for appearance
TODAY, before United States Com
missioner Needham C. Turnage
The third defendant was charged
only with possession of lottery slips
and freed under $500 bond, pending
q hearing before Mr. Turnage.
Police said a quantity of numbers
slips and a revolver were confiscated
At the Patterson street address.
Man Freed in Another Case.
In another case. a man charged
with possession of numbers slips
was freed yesterday in Municipal
Court, when Judge Ellen K Raedy
declared herself unsatisfied with the
evidence against him.
Declared not guilty was Carlton
SeCor Beers. so. of the 400 block of
North Capitol street, who was ar
rested near Fourteenth and Monroe
streets NV, on May 27
Pvt. Albert NJ Shutta of No. 10
precinct told the court he had seen
the man throw away two small books
as he approached him to arrest him
for being drunk On investigation,
the officer discovered one of the
discarded items was dream book"
on what numbers to pick and the
other was notebook filled with
figures and letters. representing rec