Evening star., 1952-08-11
DENY
Charge
OF Crime Rinq
Arlington Heads Doubt
Any National Syndicate
Operates in County

A storm of official denial arose
in Arlington today in the face of
charges that a national crime
syndicate moved into the county.
The denials were aimed at
County Board Member Daniel A.
Dugan's weekend statement:
There has been a series or
chain Of events in this county
which makes me think the ma
tional crime syndicate is trying
to get its foot in"
He said he would move to have
the board ask Gov. Battle to start
a State investigation Of the situa-
ton in Arlington.
Public Safety Director Carlisle
Johnstone said today he would
welcome an investigation, but
added:
There is absolutely nothing to
indicate any organized crime ring
is operating here"
3 Policemen Suspended.
In the statement which touched
off the argument, Mr.. Dugan
said the Police Department is not
up to par and lust this last week
three policemen were suspended
for misconduct" Two of the off,
GERS have been charged with
morals violations involving a IT.
year-old girl. All three announced
today that they would appeal their
suspensions.
Mr.. Dugan said a syndicate Is
trying to corrupt police with
women, liquor and money"
Mr.. JohnStone said the suSpen-
sion of the three men was "in no
way connected with any organized
crime operations"
Maj. William G. Fawver, Ar
lington police chief, said he has
received no information concern
ing organized prostitution or other
activities traceable to a national
crime syndicate.
He said investigation of the case
Of the three policemen uncovered
no evidence that the men had
fallen victim to an underworld
plot TO corrupt county police.
Doubts Organization.
Detective Russell L. Runyon,
head of Arlington's detective bu-
reau. said there is plenty of crime
in Arlington, but he doesn't be-
lieve it is directed nationally.
There's plenty of gambling
and bootlegging in the county and
not enough policemen assigned to
the detective bureau to stamp out
these criminal activities" he de-
Iclared.
He said the police give too
much attention to traffic.
Another detective, who didn't
want to be identified, agreed.
"A man who drives 5 miles an
hour over the speed limit has a
better chance of getting arrested
than a thug or housebreaker." he
said.
Traffic Major Problem.
Maj. Fawver admitted that
traffic is major problem in Ar
Ilington County. He said that
100000 cars move through the
county every day and that many
policemen have to be assigned to
handle the traffic.
He said that if the police force
is increased to $50 men "all fields
will be covered 100 per cent" The
force now has 96 men and Is are
to be added soon.
Attorneys Paul G. Varoutsos
and Oren r. Lewis said they will
file the appeals of the three sus-
pended policemen with County
Manager E. T. Lundberg. They
are Pvts. Charles c. Pearson, jr.,
20; John R. Livesay, "a, and Harry
A. Totten, 35.
Morals Violation Charged.
Pvts. Pearson and Livesay have
been charged with morals viola
tions and are free under $500
bond pending a hearing in Juve-
nile Court on August q. They
are accused of having had illicit
relations with 17-year-old girl
during June and July.
All three men were notified by
Mr.. Lundberg that they are in
definitely suspended. The men
would be automatically discharged
from the police force if they did
not file within 10 days of their
notice of suspension.