Evening star., 1951-10-11
Interstate Links
OF D. {. Gaming
Probed by Jury
Nelson Due to Put Up
Bond on Perjury
Counts Tomorrow

SothAS So94AS1hiS VOOoy PONC0
further into interstate numbers
operations and possible police pro-
lection.
Nelson. the Ritchie (Md.) horse
breeder and admitted financial
angel Of what has been termed q
$6 million numbers racket, is due
to be brought into court tomor-
row.
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 ha 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 a gambling
conspiracy case.
MANY Good Witnesses"
Mr.. Fihelly said that he has so
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. It
expects to get access to the Nelson
records now being used in the
District probe, but 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 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
were well-dressed women.
Private Is Witness.
First witness was Metropolitan
Police Pvt. Ray r. Swank of the
9th precinct. He is under sus-
picion for alleged INSTRUMENTATION
and faces disciplinary action by
his superiors.
Originally, Pvt. Swank was due
to be tried by a regular Police
Trial Board, but the District Com
missioners late yesterday decreed
that he will have an all-civilian
board trial. as requested by his
counsel, James j. Laughlin.
Police Superintendent Robert j.
Barrett added his voice to the
recommendation that Pvt. Swank
be tried by three-member civil
ian board. headed by a "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 of
orders and nsubordination.
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 reports
that Pvt. Swank said police knew
of ninth precinct places operating
openly. Police Chief Robert j.
Barrett has said further investi-
CATION was underway which might
result in additional charge:
against the patrolman. The po.
lice chief had indicated that al
the charges would be heard al
the same time.
The Commissioners said investi.
CATION of Pvt. Swank's activities
under suspension is being con.
Quoted and "any improper con.
duct will be the subject of con.
sideration for further actor
against him"
Pvt. Swank appeared before
the grand jury for more than az
hour yesterday, ostensibly abou