Evening star., 1952-01-25
Trial Recessed
For Study Of
Nelson Records
Lawyers Go Over
Tax Returns, Ledger
Sheets, Nototions
Bv w. n. Shippen

SISSNSR NSNS0s~Ne~
BY w. H. Shippen
Attorneys for both sides scanned
the records of Charles E. Nelson
today. pending resumption Of hi
trial on charges Of operating q
numbers syndicate with the aic
of Is others.
Documents admitted into thu
record yesterday include copies
of Nelson's income tax returns
ledger sheets, check stubs anc
letters he had received from the
Bureau of internal Revenue.
About 35 items, or groups oi
similar items. ranging from 9
bound ledger covering a whole
year to several sheets Of paper
or a single Cancelled check, wert
allowed in evidence yesterday
over the protests of defense cotln-
sci.
Judge James r. Kirkland ex-
cluded only one or two exhibits
The judge announced, however
that other items might be ruled
out later if the defense can justify
the action.
Meanwhile, he adjourned the 2
week-old, trial in District Court
until Monday to allow defense
attorneys to familiarize them
selves with the new material in
the record. The jury was excused
early yesterday afternoon while
the Nelson records were being in
troduced.
Take Up in Millions.
The records indicated. among
other things, that:
/. For many years, Nelson
charged amounts ranging from
$4,000 to $10,500 to goodwill and
advertising" around Christmas
time.
2. The total take of the syndi-
cate ranged from about So, ,380. 900
in a prosperous wartime year, like
1946, and 81, $3.50 900 in 1945, down
to something like half of that in
recent years.
8. Nothing in the records intro
duced so far appears to implicate
any police officers, either those
who are defendants or others in
nearby Maryland.
The goodwill and advertising
items charged off as operating ex-
penses were underlined by the
Senate Crime Investigating Com
mittee, which acquired Nelson's
records last summer with his per-
mission. The Senators found the
figures the most interesting" of
any in the whole record.
Previously. Sheriff Carlton G,
Beall of Prince Georges County
had told the Senators Nelson had
approached him with an offer OF
$4,000 a month to be distributed
among enforcement authorities.
Mr.. Beall quoted Nelson as say
ing Sam Beard, Washington gam
bier, would help make up the
sum
Gay Parties for Staff.
Previous witnesses have testified
the syndicate handed out turkeys
to numbers writer's at Christmas
time and gave gay parties to the
Office staff.
They also implicated Detective
Sergt. Robert G. Kirby of the
Homicide Squad, suspended, and
former Precinct Detective James
E. Lowry. who retired five years
ago, in the operation of the syn
dicate.
On trial also is Inspector Albert
I. Bullock, who was suspended
with Kirby when the indictment
was returned October %.
Several witnesses have placed
Bullock near the syndicate's prin-
cipal headquarters in Seat Pleas
ant, and one said she often saw
Bullock or Lowry or both following
employees of the syndicate when
they left in automobiles at con-
clusion of the days work.
This occurred, it was said. while
Bullock was captain Of the ad-
Joining No. II Precinct and Lowry
was attached to the precinct as
q detective. The Government
charges the officers were giving
the money carriers safe convoy
Smaller Operations Indicated.
The records in evidence picture
a smaller operation than that re-
ported by the Senate Committee
which estimated that the syndi-
cate crossed up to S. million ir
its best years.
Attorneys Charles E. Ford and
H. Clifford Alder, who represent
Bullock, Kirby and Lowry, were
informed that there appears to be
nothing in Nelson's records re.
ferring to their clients.
The records reveal a four-wa5
partnership among Nelson, hi:
wife, Mrs. Virginia Madge Nelson
and Robert L. and Mary C. Now.
land Of Alexandria from 1914 vel
into 1850.
Mrs. Nowland already has tolc
the Judge that such a partner.
ship existed. Other witnesses sale
the profits were split four ways
while Nelson was merely banking
the syndicate, up until the time
the Nelson's took over again.
During 1850, the Senators re.
ported, Nelson did not pay "ont
cent of tax to the Government.
although his books reflected ne
income of more than $4,000 from
gambling accounts.
Nelson had reported losses from
his opulent stock farm at Rftchie
Md, along with Questionable
deductions for as many as sever
automobiles, the Senators said. II
computing his income tax.
Hard Times Reported.
Several Government witneSSe
have testified, however, that tn
syndicate was especially hard hi
in June. 1850. Six girl employe
were fred, it was said. and tn
Nelson's took over active direction