davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-12-23
By w. H. Shippen


The challenged role played by a
Washington headquarters detec-
tive as a defense witness at the
graft trial of two Baltimore police
|lieutenants was under investiga-
ton here today by District and
Federal officials.
A transcript of the testimony
OF Detective Miller A. Dixon, COL
Iored. of the Robbery Squad is
being scrutinized, at the suggestion
Iof the trial judge, by Sergt. Dixon's
superiors and Arnold Bauman, at
torney for the Senate subcom-
Imittee which is to investigate the
Police Department.
Sergt. Dixon was cross-examined
ION the stand about why he testi-
fled in behalf of Its. Henry T
Sherry and Joseph r. Bucker
without first reporting the sub
stance of his information to the
States Attorneys Office.
SUuVICtCu Ul TTVtCCGhUHs
Both lieutenants were convicted
on November 27 of protecting a
gang of Cleveland flim-flam artists
and pickpockets for 25 per cent
of the loot they obtained in Balti-
more. The pair have withdrawn
appeals and now are serving six
year prison terms.
In passing sentence last week,
Judge Joseph Sherbow of Balti-
more criminal court specifically
called Sergt. Dixon's role in the
trial to the attention of police and
Senate officials. and declared:
II am satisfied that the real
story as to him has not yet been
told"
On. the other hand, Police Chief
Robert v. Murray yesterday con-
flrmed Sergt. Dixon's testimony
that his superiors were informed
of the knowledge he had about a
threatened frame up" of the
Baltimore officers several days be-
fore the trial opened Monday, No.
Ivember 26. Maj. Murray was
present at a meeting of 1t. Sherry
and Sergt. Dixon in Washington
police headquarters, it was brough:
out at the trial.
Told of Frame-Up.
The detective told how Oakley
Jackson. colored. described as a
Cleveland con man. told him he
would frame" 1t. Sherry unless
the latter got in touch with him
This occurred. he said. last Sep
tember /. while he was on vacation
in Cleveland. competing in the
Negro National Open Golf Tour
nament.
Both Maj. Murray and 1nspec-
tor Edgar E. Scott. chief of the
detectives. said Sergt. Dixon dis
cussed the case with his superiors
before the trial. He was in
structed. they said, to give his
information to the prosecutor il,
Baltimore. regardless of which
side called him to the stand.
The detective told the court
that he tried to give his infor-
nation to the States Attorneys
Office on the day he was called
to testify. A spokesman for the
States Attorneys Office said the
first they heard of Sergt. Dixon
or his information was on the
final day of the trial, just before
he was to take the stand for the
defense.
Met Jackson in 194S.
At the tWo-day trial. States At
torney Anselem Sodaro asked the
sergeant when he first met Oakey
Jackson. He replied it was in the
summer of 1948. while he was ir
Ohio to compete in another golt
tournament.
Il was downtown one night ane
met police officer. told him
was working on film fam cases ii
Washington and there were peo.
pile in Cleveland I wished to ques.
ton"
Evening star., 1951-12-23

same policeman the next day and
the policeman invited him into a
store where he met Pauline
Jackson, said to be Oakley Jack
sons wife" He said the woman
had record for f1lm-ham actiyi-
ties. and later was arrested in
Detroit under another name.
He did not talk to Oakley Jack
son in Cleveland, however, until
he returned to Cleveland last
summer. BY that time, he said, he
had Jackson's address and phone
number. He telephoned Jackson,
he said, and "he invited me to
his apartment. ! did go there"
What did he say to you of this
case?" the prosecutor asked.
Asked If He Knew Sherry.
The detective said "he asked
me if I knew 1t. Sherry in Balti-
more, and I replied I had met him
a month earlier in Baltimore"
Jackson told him, the detective
said, that he had been arrested in
Baltimore and indicted on three
or four counts, although there
should have been only one charge.
jackson explained he had gone
to Baltimore with a confederate
on a fishing trip" and decided
to make a little extra money"
the sergeant testified. so they
did catch victim and they did
get. I think he told me, around
$500 and just as the money was
being handed over they were ar
rested by uniformed policeman.
He told me that he tried to
contact 1t. Sherry on numerous
occasions, but couldn't get in
touch with him. He also said. if
1t. Sherry had held the case. he
tLt. Sherry understood the con-
f1dence game and he would only
have charged him Jackson) with
grand larceny by trick instead of
three OR four charges that had
been placed against him by the
uniformed Policeman"
Including robbery?"
Yes. including robbery" Sergt
Dixon replied.
Got Telephone Number.
what else did he say about 1t.
Sherry?"
He gave me his telephone num-
ber and he told me if I could get
i'm touch with 1t. Sherry to have
him call him, because if he didn't
call him, he had enough money to
pay a dozen confidence men and
women to come to Baltimore and
frame him."
Frame Sherry II Sherry didn t
call him?" asked Mr.. Sodaro.
That is right, sir" Sergt Dixon
said Jackson told him he had
stomach ulcers" and would not
live long if he had to serve time
for all the charges in Baltimore.
He told me he was selling his
maroon. 1850, Cadillac to get ex-
ira money, and he already had
81 300 to pay a Cleveland attorney
to go to Baltimore to defend him. -
Identified Jackson.
The witness then was called
upon to identify Oakley Jackson in
the courtroom, which he did.
Mr.. Sodaro asked if Sergt. Dixon
had been in touch with the Bal
timore lieutenants in the course
of his official duties.
He replied in the affirmative, ex-
planning he had met 1t. Sucker
four or five times and met 1t
Sherry only once before Septem-
ber.
Have you been in Baltimore
since, To talk to 1t. Sherry or 1t
Bucker?' Mr.. Sodaro asked.
/ Il was in Baltimore about 9
week ago (around November 90
and 1 talked to 1t. Sherry"
What brought you to Balti.
more them"
| Mr. Sherry called me"
Evening star., 1951-12-23

Sherry came to Washington. That
was on a Thursday, November Is,
|as nearly as Sergt. Dixon could
recall.
1t. Sherry went first to his
home and later came to head
quarters, where he met the then
Inspector Murray and Sergt.
Dixon. the witness testified, Asked
by the judge if he then told what
he had heard in Cleveland he re-
piled, that is correct, sir"
On the Sunday before the trial
opened 1t. Sherry again came to
Washington, Sergt. Dixon said,
and the sergeant told him to come
to headquarters after the lieuten-
ant stopped by the detectives
home.
On Monday night, 1t. Sherry
telephoned Sergt. Dixon and ex-
Iplained he probably" would be
needed as a witness. The detec-
tive said he reported this to his
lsuperiors, and asked an assistant
United States attorney to "call
the prosecutor" in Baltimore and
make arrangements for an inter-
view.
Felt 1t Was Fair"
| He added he told the person
who brought me into court today
that I would not testify until ]
had talked to the prosecuting at
torney" He, explained he felt it
only fair" to do this before taking
] the stand. and would have carried
out his intention "if I had not
been called up there Immediately. -
! Asked how he happened to
know Bowles, the detective re-
piled. Il arrested him in Wash
ington." He added that BoWles
was suspected of being a con
man.
Has he been in touch with
you?''
He has not" the detective
replied.
He said he had seen Bowles in
the courthouse, but did not talk
to him then.
1t. Sherry testified that he
asked BoWles on the morning OF
November 27, the final day OF
the trial, to telephone Sergt
Dixon to learn if he was going
to be present to testify. He die
not say. however, if he learned
whether Bowles got in touch with
with the detective.
Case Didn't Work Out.
| 1t. Sherry explained he wanted
BowleS to contact Sergt. Dixon
because the case sort of didn't
work out like we expected to and
we would like to have him right
now" He said he did not know
if Bowles operated in Washing
ton as pickpocket and con man
! The judge said he wanted tc
get it clear in his mind who first
appriSed 1t. Sherry of the fact
that Sergt. Dixon had. informa-
ton for him. Think back, lieu
tenant" he said, when was the
first time you heard from any
body" on this score.
1T was during the week of No.
Ivember II, about Wednesday"
From whom did you receive
the information?"
From Lester Bowles." He ex.
plained Bowles happened to be
in Washington. He came bacl
and told me that Sergt. Dixor
wanted to see me. I went owe,
: the next day"
! The judge asked. Would yo,
have any explanation for tn,
; court and the jury as to why :
sergeant of detectives in Wash.
Iington would send a message tt
a lieutenant of detectives in Bal.
ltimore via a well-known pick.
, pocket?"
Well" the former lieutenant
replied, "he might be an in.
former Of his over there"
Evening star., 1951-12-23
Donohue Puts Cost j
OF Robinson Plan at
$4,000 in First Year
Says New Positions
Would Account for
Much Of Expense

District reorganization under
the Robinson plan would cost at
least 100000 its first year, Com
missioner F. Joseph Donohue pre-
dicted last night.
The cost would be mostly for
new jobs, including a number of
upper-bracket administrators, Mr..
Donohue said.
The Commissioner made the
estimate in his weekly radio talk
over Radio Station WWDC. He
said it was the figure mentioned
by Brig. Gen. Bernard L. Robin
son. engineer commissioner, in
preliminary discussions of the re-
organization plan which was pre-
pared by Gen. Robinson.
Mr.. Donohue told reporters
after the broadcast he considered
the figure "a low estimate" He
declared the cost could run con-
siderably higher.
To Reconsider Vote.
He pointed out that it might
be compensated for" later, how
ever. by economies made possible
by the reorganization itself.
Commissioner Donohue stated
on one of the controversial as
poets Of The plan that he will re-
consider his vote for giving the
commissioners control over the
now independent Recreation
Board.
The original plan pronosed
bringing the Recreation. Educa-
ton and Public Library boards
under the commissioners authori-
,ty. Gen. Robinson favors continued
independence for the recreation
group, Mr.. Donohue told his radio
audience, but he and Commits
sloner Young voted against this.
The commissioners agreed to leave
the other two boards independent.
Mr.. Donohue asserted that all
agencies performing purely mu-
nicipap' functions should be
brought under the city heads.
The recreation group. he pointed
out. falls in this category.
Sees New Positions.
The Commissioner said he could
not predict how many new staff
jobs would be required by the
plan, but he said:
Il can see the creation of all
kinds of new positions.
Each of the IT, departments
proposed will require a chief, and
with a higher pay status than
those now," he pointed out.
The city government needs more
personnel even without reorgan-
lzation, Mr.. Donohue. said. He
said he himself needs a bigger
staff. citing an instance last week
when, he said, 1T took me half
a day to find out where to GO"
to help downtown hotel man
agement find out whether it could
Use six inches of public space in
installing a new doorway.
Attendance "Disappointing."
The Commissionre said he was
disappointed at public attendance
at last weeks hearing on the
/ REORGANIZATION plan
i hope it doesn't mean apathy"
he declared.
He said he was glad to see many
OF the witnesses urging home rule
instead of merely administrative
reorganization. But he added
that people seem to approve at
least the principle" of the plan.
! The Commissioner commented.
on the city's new snow-storm
traffic plan, that I'VE hope its
effectiveness will be apparent"
with the next storm. If it isn't.
he added. it will be corrected.
Questioning Mr.. Donohue on his
broadcast were John w. Stepp. re-
porter for The Star, and Alfred E.
Lewis, reporter for the Washing-
ton Post.
Evening star., 1951-12-23

the paper, she wouldn't let him
go to a Police Boys Club Christ
mas party.
"And they're going to have a
movie" he told the policeman.
1t. John F. Ryan, of the juvenile
squad, finally found out the boys
name was Robert Rhodes, of 2O4
Indiana avenue, NV.
1t. Ryan dispatched a police
man to accompany Robert home
and tell his mother the youth
hadn't been in trouble and should
be allowed to go to the party.
Evening star., 1951-12-23
Survey Shows Cost
OF disqualification
Doubled Since AS
Improvement in Services,
Higher Pay to Stoff
Are Main Factors

The average cost of hospital
care in the District area has more
than doubled since the end of
World War II, according to sur
vey released last night by the
Hospital Council Of the National
Capital Area.
A study in 1945, showed the
average per-day cost was $9.44
in the II hospitals that are mem
bers of the council. Today, the
average cost is $21.47, an in
crease of 1877 per cent.
H. D. Hamilton. executive sec
retary of the council, said the
, increased cost could be attributed
only partially to imitation.
The basic truth is that hos
pital care today is not the same
as it was just few years ago."
he said.
Improvements Cited.
Mr.. Hamilton pointed out the
extensive improvement and ex-
panSion of hospital services have
been natural development and
"one which the public expects. F"
He observed. however, that such
improvements also meant greater
expense.
Because of them. more trained
workers are needed. In the 1945
survey, the hospitals had an aver
age of 12s employees for every
patient. Today. the same hospitals
average 2l2 employees for every
patient.
The less time each patient
spends in a hospital, the more
workers are needed, Mr.. Hamil-
ton said. This is true in the lab
oratorieS, where more work is
being done than ever before: in
the admitting and business offices,
and in the housekeeping depart
mentS.
Hours for nearly all employees
are shorter than they we're six
years ago, he pointed out. Fur
thermore, the hospitals. in order
to be adequately stated, have
had to meet general wage scales
In the area.
Payroll Costs Rise.
In l945. payroll costs averaged
$5.08 a day for each patient:
the recent survey shows payroll
cost of S12.54 per patient per
day. This represents a labor cost
increase of 146 per cent.
More Washington area patients
are availing themselves of hospital
care than ever before, the survey
revealed. During l945, there were
67,967 admission to the IL hos
pitalS studied. So far this year,
there have been 84,333 patients
admitted.
However, the average length of
stay during the same period has
decreased from 8.78 days to 6.8
days.
The use Of the miracle" drugs
has been as expensive for the
hospitals as beneficial to the pa
tients, the survey pointed out.
More Time Required.
Because most of the drugs, as
well as many other indications,
are given by injection, more time
is spent preparing the dosages.
more trained workers are needed
to administer the injections, too.
And a principal cause for
stomach ulcers among hospital
administrators is the number of
syringes that must be replaced" ="
Mr.. Hamilton said.
In the period between surveys,
the use of nursing personnel has
changed considerably, the report
said. For example. a few years
ago, physicians started every
blood TRANSMISSION. Today. the en-
tire procedure usually is done by
Evening star., 1951-12-23

Attorneys office about this infor-
nation of Oakley Jackson?" the
asked.
'I didn't, but I was going to
before I testified"
You say you were?"
Eyes" the sergeant replied.
Asked when he planned to do this,
he said, Today"
Talked to Sherry.
The prosecutor pointed out that
Sherry and Bucker had been un-
der indictment since September.
The witness said he only learned
of Jackson's part in the case
around November IL.
"At that time talked to 1t.
Sherry" he said, land then before
testifying I asked permission to
talk to the States Attorney. I
first went to the major and super
intendent of Washington police
and told him what information I
had, and finally to the Assistant
United States Attorney in Wash
ington. He advised me to talk to
the prosecuting attorney before
testifying today"
It was not brought out what
day this occurred, nor could Maj.
Murray recall yesterday the date
of his discussion with 1t. Sherry
and Sergt. Dixon at headquarters
here.
Didn't Consult Prosecutor.
you were advised to consult
with the prosecuting attorney
Mr.. Sodaro continued. "but you
did not on your own volition get
in touch with the prosecuting at
torney when you were down here
a week ago conferring with
Sherry?"
mo, sir. I did not"
why didn't you?"
Il didn't think it was necessary
at that time. l didn't know. u
And that is your explanation?"
That is all I can give at this
time, sir"
Didn't Intend to Testify.
He explained he did not intend
to testify at that time, and did
not know he was to be called.
Judge Sherbow asked if Jackson
had been in Washington between
the sergeant's visits to Cleveland
three years apart.
Not to my knowledge" Sergt
Dixon replied. He said he "got
some help" from Jackson last
September, and reported this tc
his superiors on his return to
Washington. 1t was not written
report. he added.
ITO whom did you convey this
information?"
Inspector Murray" Since
that time the inspector has been
promoted to head the police de-
partment.
Judge Questions Witness.
The witness said that while he
read of the indictment of the Bal.
timore lieutenants in the news
papers, he did not learn ther
that Jackson was taking part un-
til much later.
The Judge asked Sergt. Dixor
how 1t. Sherry happened to come
ito Washington to discuss the case
with him and Maj. Murray.
Il had sent word by someone,
talked about it on the street,
Sergt. Dixon replied. He said thi.
occurred after he learned Jackson
was responsible for 1t. Sherry!
difficulties Some friend of hi;
evidently got in touch with 1t
Sherry"
The lieutenant testified, unde
roSs-examination, that he frs
received word of Sergt. Dixon
knowledge through Lester Bowles
Ia local pickpocket" he had LOCKED
up several times.
Admitted Knowing Bowles.
The sergeant denied he knew
who carried the message. but ad
mitted knowing Bowles.
| Shortly later, however, 1t
Evening star., 1951-12-23

" e ; , kOuHtS
schedule:
TOMORROW,
Classified Ad-
verfisins Deport-
ment will close
OF s pm. Busi-
ness counter and
til e Circulation
Department teIe-
phone room VIII
close at 8 pm.
c n RisTMAS
nAN fiaee;k;a1
sEl
Evening star., 1951-12-23
Christmas Schedule
For Star Service

The Stur, in order TO give IFS en-
ployes time at home on Christmos eve
and Christmas Day, will observe the
following telephone service and busi-
Evening star., 1951-12-23

will close at noon. Business counter
ond . circulation phone will close ct s
Evening star., 1951-12-21
East Building Attack
Around Janowicz
BY the Assoeiufad Pres,

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 21.-An
offensive built around a man who
wasn't there was formulated yes
terday by the Eastern All-Stars
board of strategy as contact work
began for the December % East
West Shrine charity football
classic for crippled children.
Coaches Biggie Mum of Michi-
gan State and Tuss McLaughry
of Dartmouth named a tentative
attacking backf1eld and listed Vic
Janowicz of Ohio State in the full
back spot. Janowicz. whose ar
rival has been delayed by Eastern
storms, will be the spinning back
"a role that won him All-America
acclaim and the Heisman Trophy
lin 1850.
The rest of the single-wine
backfield has Dick Kazmaier
Princeton All-America. at tail
back: his blocking teammate
Richard Pivirotto, at right halt
and AL Dorow of Michigan State
Iat quarterback.
At the Vests practice field al
stamford, Head Coach Jess Nicely
Iof Rice sent his stars through q
itwo-hour drill that combined pass.
ing with contact work.
The defensive line gave T-For.
nation Quarterbacks Ed Brown o1
San Francisco and Don Kloster-
man OF Loyola clos Angeles a
rough time. but the two still COM
Ipleted healthy share of heaves
Evening star., 1951-12-21
Scoring by the Caps to date:
Burr Still Shootinq
For Booth Winner
BY the Assoeioted Press

| MIAMI, Fla, Dec. 21.-Jockey
Charlie Burr missed riding his
Booth winner of the year at Trop-
ical Park yesterday and post
poned. at least until today, his
entry into the select company OF
riders who have scored 800 OF
more in a season.
| Burr had six mounts on the
nine-race card, but the best he
could do was third on Grand
Egyptian in the eighth.
| When he does score his 300tt
win, the 17-year-old rider from
Arkansas City. Kans., will receive
a piece of silver plate. suitably
engraved to commemorate the oc.
casion.
He will join six others who have
accomplished the feat-Waltel
Miller. Vincent Powers, Jack
Westrope. Johnny Longden, Joe
Culmone and Willie Shoemaker.
Highlight of yesterdays racing
was Apprentice Jockey Albert
Widman's feat of riding foul
winners. He was the first rider
ito bring in four winners since
Tropical Park started the Florida
season on November 80.
Widman, also a 17-year old
rode at Sunshine Park near
Tampa and Gulfstream Park last
winter. then spent the summer at
Chicago and New York tracks.
Evening star., 1951-12-21
Harlow High on Six
Blue Squad Players
BY The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala, Dec. 81
aren't coming this far from
home to lose a game"
On that cheering note, Dick
HarloT bustled into town yester-
day Ahead of the five other
coaches to start getting ready for
the December 20 Blue Gray foot
ball show.
The former Harvard coach al
lowed that the Yankees, despite
their record of eight losses in IL
games, have a pretty good team
this year.
Harlow singled out these six
for special mention:
All-America End Pat O'Donahue
from Wisconsin, Little All-Amer-
lea Tackle George Young of Buck
nell. Wesley Bomm of Columbia.
John Kastan of Boston u, Bill
Reichardt from Iowa and Bob
Albert of Bucknell.
Harlow and the other two
Northern coaches, Ivy Williamson
of Wisconsin and Rip Engle of
Penn State, will get together with
Rebel Shippers Rex Enright of
South Carolina, Gaynell Tinsley
Of Louisiana State and Rusty Rus
sell of Southern Methodist tonight
to decide on offensive and defense
styles.
Evening star., 1951-12-21
Grid Coach AfieId
Leohy Views Basketball Squad
Sees Only HoIfbocks and Ends

he would make on the football
field!
/ Bertrand passed off to Leroy
Leslie, whose shot hit the rim and
j the rebound was taken by Entee
Shine in a massive pair of hands
which wrapped around the ball
I can just visualize those hands
pulling in long touchdown pass.
With the ball still in Notre
Danes possession, it was worked
into front court under the guild
ance of Don Strasser, senior guard
His every muscle reacts as the
play moves forward, and his split
vision never let's the ball out of
his sight. His 6-foot, l80-pound
frame would be a welcome addi-
ton to a defensive backfield unit.
AS he moves into front court,
Strasser spots Leslie breaking fast
and hits him with an accurate
pass which goes up for two points.
Leslie breaks like a good half
back, when he sees the right hole,
and throws the ball accurately
from any angle. His actions and
his build remind you of Elroy
Hirsch. What more can be said?
Like a good T formation foot
ball team, the Notre Dame basket
ball team functions around the
activities of its ball handler, and
Dick Rosenthal. a 6-foot-5, 210-
pound center causes a football
coach to, do some thinking. His
pivoting, Taking and ball handling
ability would make him prize
prospect as a T quarterback.
Imagine a man of his height just
Strengthening up to throw a quick
Jump" pass. Such men certainly
could make outstanding contribu-
tions to our football squad, but
our boys find it too tough to keep
their average above n and play
two sports-especially when one
follows the other.
lMcNausht SvndicotsN