Evening star., 1951-11-27
Inspector Lutz
To Hit Big Boys
In Gaming Drive
Will Seek Evidence
For Conspiracy Cases
Against Racket Chiefs
By Miriom Ottenberq


newly named head of the police
gambling squad, said today he
wants to go after the big boys" in
the rackets by way of gambling
conspiracy cases.
At the same time. he put a
ban on gambling raids without
warrants except where the raids
are cleared in advance with the
United States attorney and a po-
lice official is in on the raid.
Acting Police Chief Robert v.
Murray, in choosing one of his
toughest ranking officials for the
gambling assignment, made it
clear that Inspector Lutz will have
a clear field in choosing his squad
and setting up his racket busting
plans.
Gambling enforcement long has
been the target of much of the
criticism leveled at the Police De-
,partment by congressional COM
Imittees, judges and prosecutors.
On the day he was named acting
chief, Maj. Murray pledged him.
self to wage war on the gamblers.
"Harassment" Raids Held.
Despite criticism of the no.
warrant raids which failed to
stand up in court, the retiring
chief. Maj. Robert J. Barrett, con-
tinued a policy of "harassment"
i-raiding gambling places without
warrant and charging all pres
ent with disorderly conduct.
| Inspector Lutz said he has
never believed in "harassment."
when police go into a place
without a warrant, "he said.
there's a suspicion that it is
not done for a proper purpose.
If We make every effort legally
to get enough evidence for war;
rant and cannot get it. I'm going
/ to discuss the case with the
United States attorney. We're
not going to do that without his
knowledge. And I want officials
to be along so the public will
know it's done for a proper pur-
pose"
/ He said he wants to make
gambling conspirancy cases be-
cause he wants to get at the men
at the top.
Its the big boys I'm after
not the little stooges," he ex-
planned. We'll start with the
little fellows and trace the whole
operation through them"
He said his plan would take time
and a lot of investigation but it
can be done with persistence and
the right type of personnel"
When the system is set up"
he said, Il don't think the gam
blers will be able to beat it. We're
going to keep them guessing what
we're going to do next"
Asked if he would make whole
sale changes in the gambling
squad. as has been predicted. he
said there would be no changes
until he studies the set-up.
May Be Changes.
/ Il don't want to point the fin
ger at anybody by summarily re-
questing his transfer" he ex-
planned. But if there's anything
wrong there will be changes. II
there's any doubt, it will be re-
solved in the interest of the pub
lie. I'm representing law and
order"
Emphasizing that he expects
backing from the men on the
beat, he declared: This isn't a
Ione-man job. The reputation of
the department is in the keeping
of each and every officer"
Inspector Lutz suspects that
right now the heat is on and
gamblers are being more careful.
He said it probably would be diff
ficult to place a bet in the Dis
trict unless the Would-be wager
er has been known to the bookie
over long peroid of time. He
acknowledged that would make
things more difficult for his un-
dercover men.
| He made firm appeal for pub
+ lie cooperation. He gave assur-
ances that all tips would be
treated in absolute confidence and
the source would not be disclosed.
The law, he explained, permits
police to protect their sources.
In another development, Maj.
Murray announced other person.
mel changes today but he post
poned a decision on permanent
promotions in the higher ranks.
He may be awaiting the new Civil
Service list of eligiblfes for promo
ton. The men started receiving
their grades last Saturday but
the Today period for appeals,
and the weighing of these appeals
will delay setting up the new reg
lister for several weeks.
The acting chief named Capt.
Otto P. Fuss, now commanding
officer of communications and
records, to replace Capt. Robert
D. Chenault at the Thirteenth
Precinct. Capt. Chenault was pro-
noted yesterday to district in
spector.
1t. Harold Moore of comlnuni-
cations ana records was put in
charge CT this operation to replace
Capt. Fuss but without advance
in rank.
COnnorS Promoted.
Precinct Detective John L. Con-
nors of the auto squad was pro-
noted to detective sergeant; Pro-
bationary Detective James D.
Kennedy of the Third Precinct
was promoted to precinct Detec-
tive and Pvt. Clark W. Ham of the
juvenile squad was moved up to
probationary detective.
Today. Maj. Murray, Inspector
Howard V. Covell, the new eXecu-
tive officer, and others moving up
IN rank, went to the police and
- AL L.