Evening star., 1951-10-11
D. {. Grand Jury Calls.
Two in lis Probe OF
9Th Precinct Gambling
Continued From First Page.)

4OuSklG IL Oub Will tIlC ul01 OC1 CI
of Corpl. Grady Beacham in De-
cember, 1948. More recently, in
January. 1851, he narrowly escaped
death in a near-riot at Fourth and
H streets NV. Pvt. Swank was on
the scene at both episodes.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney John w. Fihelly. who has been
presenting the Governments case
to the grand jury, said Leo A.
Rover, counsel for Nelson, had
agreed to produce Nelson tomor-
row and to arrange for a $4,000
bond.
Accused on Five Counts.
Mr.. Fihelly said Mr.. Rover told
him both he and Nelson will be
out of town today but will surely
be here tomorrow.
Nelson was accused of five
counts of lying to the Senate
Crime Investigating Committee
during testimony last August. The
sweeping nature of the charges
indicated that the grand jury was
relying only partially on Nelson's
own books and records. Govern
ment sources acknowledged that
independent investigation since
the committee hearings h d
prompted the grand jury to go all
out in charging Nelson with being
engaged in the numbers business.
The grand jury now is expected
to concentrate on seeking inter-
state links to develop gambling
conspiracy case.
MANY Good Witnesses"
Mr.. Fihelly said that he has $50
darn many good witnesses" on
tap that he doesn't know where
to start" The morning session
today would probably hear civilian
witnesses, with police witnesses
possibly due to testify in the
afternoon, he indicated.
The Prince Georges County
grand jury at Upper Marlboro was
set to begin it's investigation Of
Nelson and other reputed gam
blers next Wednesday. The
county jury, which has cleaned
up it's routine cases for the Oc-
tober term, now is in recess. 1t
expects to get access to the Nelson
records now being used in the
District probe, hut States Attor-
ney Carlyle j. Lancaster said
considerable other information
has been accumulated.
Ex-Employes Are Witnesses.
In the District grand jury probe,
one line of the inquiry lay in the
direction of the NoWland Asso-
ciates, to which, Nelson admitted
to the Senate committee, he ad-
vanced large sums Four of the
five counts dealt with the de-
fendant's knowledge of or con-
nection with the associates"
He was charged with lying when
he denied he knew the connection
OF Blight Lee, reputed Virginia
gambler. with the Nowland out
fit; when he denied he knew his
wife was a partner. or that he
knew of any one also connected
with the firm, or that he knew the
nature of the business.
The fifth count charged he
perjured himself when he told the
committee he did not engage In
the numbers trade.
At least three witnesses before
the panel yesterday were believed
to be former employees of Nelson
in some of his enterprises. All
We're well-dreSsed women.
Private Is Witness.
The scene shifted to the ninth
precinct when Pvt. SWank was
called. He is under suspension on
charges of INSTRUMENTATION and
disobedience.
Originally, Pvt. Swank was due
TO be tried by a regular Police
Trial Board, but the District Com
mlsSloners late yesterday decreed
that he will have an all-civilian
board trial, as requested by his
counsel, Mr.. Laughlin.
Attorneys named by the Com
miSsioners today to hear the case
were Albert E. Steinem, chairman;
Wilbert McInerney and William J.
Rowan. The Commissioners had
asked Leonard P. Walsh, president
OF the District Bar Association, to
recommend three persons. Mr..
Stelnem is chairman of the bar
associations committee for service
ON police and fire trial boards.
Police Superintendent Robert j.
Barrett added his voice to the
recommendation that Pvt. Swank
be tried by a three member civil
ian board, headed by "promi-
nent' lawyer, since there may
be some feeling that the man
could not get a fair trial" by
police.
The Commissioners emphasized
that the suspended policeman will
be tried only on the specific
charges of willful disobedience ot
orders and characterization.
"The charges against him have
nothing to do. with the activities
of the officer after he was sus-
pended" the Commissioners said
Further Inquiry Underway.
This was a reference to report!
that Pvt. SWank said police knew
of ninth precinct places operating
openly. Chief Barrett has sai(
further investigation was under
way which might result in addi
tional chrages against the patrol
man. The police chief had indi
Gated that all the charges woul,
be heard at the same time.
The commissioners said investi
CATION of Pvt. Swank's activitie
under suspension is being con
Quoted and "any improper con
duct will be the subject Of con
sideration for further actio