Evening star., 1951-06-08
Officer S Joke
Is Turned Over
To Grand Jury
Policemen Denies
Merchants Tale of
Shukedown Effort

Stb&NV00Wu @stShS
The question of whether an 18th
precinct policeman was "only kid
ding" when he asked a reputable
merchant about the numbers busi-
ness became a grand jury case
today.
Pvt. Charles T. Connor insisted
emphatically at a United States
attorneys hearing that he really
didn't mean it, and said he made
that plain to the merchant, Jo-
seph l.. Michael, So. who operates
a variety store at 1888 Good Hope
road Sc.
Merchant Reiterates Story.
But Mr.. Michael stuck to his
original story, that Pvt. Connor
had accused him of accepting
numbers bets and had intimated
that. since there had been a
change in 11th precinct COM
manders, the shopkeeper would be
expected to pay OFF.
The sharply divergent stories
caused Assistant United States
Attorney Harold Titus to refer the
matter to the grand jury for i'm
mediate action. The decision came
after a hearing involving Mr.
Michael, Pvt. Connor, Inspector
Albert I. Bullock, Capt. Francis
G. Pilkerton of the 18th precinct
and 1t. Foley Harris, also OF
the 18th.
Barrett Says 1t Was Joke.
Earlier, Police Supt. Robert j,
Barrett said he was convinced
that Pvt. Connor had INDUCED ir
a Jest Of bad taste. He based his
opinion on an investigation he
ordered yesterday by Inspector
Bullock, who at one time COM
manded the 18th.
Supt. Barrett said the very fact
that Mr.. Michael's store never
had been suspected as gambling
place would make it unlikely that
Pvt. Connor had gone there except
to play a joke. .-..
Capt. Francis G. Pilkerton Of
the 18th precinct, Pvt. Connor's
superior, said mo comment"
Mr.. Michael said today, II fee,
like I'm the loser already" Ac.
cording to the shopkeeper, his
troubles began Tuesday evening
He gave this account:
The policeman entered his store
and said he knew Mr.. Michael
had been accepting numbers
bets, and that since there was
now new captain at No. II pre-
cinct, the merchant would be ex-
pected to pay off to Pvt. Connor
Thought Practical Joke.
Incredulous, Mr.. Michael be-
lieved the policeman was playing
q practical joke, and asked him
repeatedly if he meant what he
said. Each time the policeman
assured him he was serious" he
said.
Mr. Michael asked Pvt. Connor
to write the name of the new cap
tain on a piece of paper and says
Pvt. Connor wrote: Francis K
Pilkerton" and noted the police
telephone number.
In answer to Mr.. Michaels
questions. Pvt. Connor was quoted
as saying he wasn't worried, that
policemen needed "a little graft
to get along and then advised Mr.
Michael to call Capt. Pilkerton
According to Mr.. Michael, he left
saying he would be back in the
morning for some money.
Merchant Calls Captain.
On Wednesday Mr.. Michael
telephoned Capt. Pilkerton, who
went to the store with Pvt. Connor
Capt. Pilkerton assured the mer-
chant that the police knew his
character was of the best. but he
said that Pvt. Connor, also, had
built a good record on the force
Pvt. Connor admitted having
asked for the money, but insisted
he was only kidding, and Capt
Pilkerton was inclined to believe
the story, he told Mr.. Michael
although he criticized the police
mans action as stupid.
At the captains insistence, Mr.
Michael agreed to shake hands
with Pvt. Connor and drop the
matter.
However. yesterday Capt. Pilker-
ton again visited the store and
asked Mr.. Michael why he hao
first telephoned newspaper about
the matter instead of going di-
rectly to the police. Mr.. Michael
replied that if it had been q
joke, he didn't think Pvt. Connol
would have given the name oi
Capt. Pilkerton.
Later, Capt. Pilkerton decided
to take the incident to the United
States attorney for a thorough
airing.
Pvt. Connor's story was sharpl!
at variance. He said he had VISITED
the store several times in the past
knew Mr.. Michael well, dropped il
about 8::45 pm. Tuesday ant
started to kid him"
"How's the numbers business?'
the policeman said he asked. Wher
Mr.. Michaels looked puzzled anc
asked what he meant, Pvt. Con
nor said he went on: "Still writ.
ing numbers?"
When Mr.. Michael heated,
denied gambling connections, anc
became very angry, the police.
man said he told him: "CalI
down, I'm only kidding"
But Mr.. Michael continued tt
fume, and in an effort to assur,
him all was well, the policeman
invited him to telephone his pre-
cinct commander, Pvt. Connor re