Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-02
By J. Theodore Crown

An exhaustive 11-mOnth in
quiry into sensational charges
leveled at police and the Police
Department during the Senate
probe Of District racketS last
year has produced nothing to
support formal charges, it was
disclosed today on reliable au-
thority.
A report Of the Police Depart
ment's investigation Of the ac-
cusations, together with volumi-
nous files Of testimony, viii be
submitted to the Commissioners
within 10 days.
The Senate Crime Committee
sent a report of its inquiry to
the Commissioners last spring,
and the Commissioners ordered
the Police Department to make
its own independent investiga-
ton and report back.
It was indicated the accusa-
tons of witnesses were so vague
when they appeared before the
departments investigating board
that instances Of reported wrong
doing could not be pinned down.
Brass Rail Case Reviewed.
The infamous Brass Rail case,
which involved a shooting in 1913
between a reputed gambler,
James, piggy Leake, and the
cafes bartender, Charles H. Nell
son, took much of the investigat-
ing boards time. But rumors
surrounding the case-and their
sources-remained as wraithlike
as before.
During the Senate District
Crime Committees hearings into
the shooting, there were reports
of police pay-offs and Of a gang
land war climaxed by the gun
play in Roger (Whitetop) Sim
kins' Brass Rail cafe.
But when the witnesses in
volved appeared before the Spe-
cial Board Of Police Inspectors
to tell their stories, mysterious
figures identified only by first
names or nicknames entered
their testimony. These others
could not be further identified
by the inspectors, who wanted
to question them.
The board of inspectors, named
last April to look into the
charges, was hampered, ironical-
ly, by action growing out of the
crime committee hearings.
Two Under Suspension.
The force Of inspectors was
short by two-Inspectors Albert
I. Bullock and Beverly C. Beach,
under suspension while the
United States District Attorney
for the District of Columbia In
veStigates the mystery of their
financial dealings. This slowed
down the investigation by the
inspectors, because the others
had to fill in on regular police
duty for them.
One formal action grew from
the boards efforts. Charges con-
corning an auto gray market
were placed against 1t. Jacob
Wolf, former head Of the police
auto squad. But he was cleared
by a police trial board.
Another phase of the investi-
CATION which consumed much
time was the case Of Capt. VIII
liam T. Murphy. Two policemen
had told the Senate investiga-
tors that their transfer to school
crossing duty came suspiciously
soon after they had made gam
bling arrests in the Fourteenth
Precinct, which Capt. Murphy
headed.
Capt. Murphy has been trans
ferred to police headquarters,
and is currently assigned to the
Communications and Records
Division.
Board Headed by COvell.
Deputy Police Chief Howard
v. Covell was chairman of the
Police Investigating Board for
all Of its inquiries except the
one into his acceptance Of gifts
from Abe tJewboy Dietz) Plisco.
reputed gambler. When he APP
peared before the Senate Crime
Committee. Inspector CoveH
frankly admitted that Plisco had