Evening star., 1952-05-08
Abe PIisco Baked
|At Crime Questions,
Committee Reveals
By John Y. Homer

1ne senate OlSCflCC crime COM
mittee today released testimony
showing that Gambler Abe Plisco
refused to answer more than a
handful Of questions when he
appeared last month as a wit
ness in closed session.
Plisco. who is known under
the alias of "Jewboy Dietz," was
one of two persons against whom
the committee seeks Senate con-
tempt citations. Named with him
lat a committee meeting late yes
terday was Thomas r. Kelly of
Chicago. former manager of the
sprawling Continental Press race
wire service. ~
The Senate probers, meanwhile.
sought action locally against at
least two policemen involved in
recent crime testimony.
They turned over to the Com
missioners a case concerning
Sergt. Miller Dixon. colored. of
the Robbery Squad. The nature
of this case was not disclosed.
Testimony Review Asked.
The committee asked the Com
missioners and United States
Attorney Charles M. Irelan to re-
view conflicting testimony Of
three other policemen. Commit
tee Counsel Arnold ,Bauman would
not name the officers, but he
indicated that perjury might be
involved.
He said two policemen testi-
fed at closed session to one set
of facts, and q third policeman,
to another set.
Last April 8. the committee
questioned 1t. william v. Chris
tian of the Fugitive Squad,
Detective Sergt. John L. Boccina
of the Fugitive Squad. and Pvt.
Robert j. Maghan: of No. 4
Precinct. On the same day. Sergt.
Dixon also was questioned.
The probers announced that
additional hearings will be held
in the remaining three weeks Of
the inquiry. but there was nothing
to suggest any Of these would be
open.
Mr.. Bauman said, however, the
transcript of various closed hear
ings will be made public, as in the
case Of Plisco.
Silent on Marriage Date.
The gambler told the proheFs
his name. said he was born on
June 8, 1904, and is married. But
he refused to state when he was
married. He said he lives at $500
@ street NV.
He claimed the constitutional
right not to answer questions that
might tend to ncriminater him.
In his opinion. these included
questions as to his former resi-
dences, whether his parents are
alive. whether he ever heard Of
the State of Maryland, ever went
fishing or likes baseball.
He was questioned extensively
about acquaintanceship with po-
licemen. He refused to answer.
Several times he was asked
whether he had presented gifts to
policemen.
One of the latter concerned
gifts of whisky and flowers to
Police Inspector Howard v. Covell,
now the No. 2 man in the depart
ment. Another was former Supt.
Robert j. Barrett. The commit
tee wanted to know whether he
ever gave Maj. Barrett a gift of
more than $1,000 in value. He
refused to answer.
Other Contempt Citations.
Plisco and Kelly are the third
and fourth witnesses against
whom contempt action has been
pressed. On recommendation Of
the crime committee. backed by
the Senate District Committee,
the entire Senate previously
voted contempt citations for
Emmitt Warning and Roger
(Whitetop) Simkins, Washington
numbers overlords. These are in
the hands Of United States At
torney Irelan for prosecution.
Mr.. Bauman described War
ring, Simkins, Plisco and Kelly as
|unco-operative witnesses. The
first two were heard in public ses-
SionS during January.