Evening Star Newspaper, July 2, 1931, Page 12

| N LIE DETECTOR SEEN REPLAGING CRUELTY Perfector of Machine Expects l Abandonment of Third- Degree Methods. This is the fifth of a series of six < done tory at Northwestern University. BY REX COLLIER, Staff Correspondent of The Star CHICAGO, July 2—“If you tested | me with that machine, you'd find me| gullty of murder in 5 minutes or loss, | regardless of how innocent I might be,”; I remarked to the fair-haired young man to whom I had just been intro- | duced at the Scientific Crime Detec- | tion Laboratory of Northwestern Uni-! versity. | The youthful scientist was none other | than Leonarde Keeler, credited with bringing the so-called “lie detector” to what its advocates claim is a re- markable degree of perfection. “You are wrong,’ Keeler smiled. “That's what nearly every one says when deception tests are mentioned, but thousands of tests have proved the notion an erroneous one. It is true that you or I might suffer a dlsunc” emotional reaction if we thought we were suspected of a crime we did not commit, but the deceptiom tester knows how to differentiate between that kind of emotional response and the guilty | kind.” | Keeler's enthusiasm attested his sin- cerity. He had cause for satisfaction. for but recently he had been afforded his “big opportunity” to demonstrate his technique under notable auspices. He had been made an associate mem- ber of the staff. of the new crime clinic presided over by Calvin God- | dard. Has Been Tested. The “lie detector”—the term is a popular one not wholly to Keeler's professional _liking—looks like a com- bined portable radio set and a phy- sician’s blood pressure instrument, the gadget that goes around one’s arm and that has the unpronounceable name of “sphygmomanometer.” The latter is attached to the subject’s arm and rec- ords blood pressure variations on a paper.record. Another device fastened to the chest traces respiratory changes. The idea, in short, is to watch ai{ suspect’s biood pressure and respira- tory reactions under questioning and thereby to draw conclusions as to his guilt of innocence. The device has been given <xhaustive tests in California and other States and has won a steadily widening circle of converts among scientists, police offi- cials and others. Th> courts, howaver, have not always dealt kindly with it. Several efforts to use it in important homicide cases have been thwarted by skeptical prosecutors and jurists. Now comes Northwestern University to bolster its prestige and encourage its sponsors. Under the plans of Goudard | and his colleagues, Keeler will A‘ontlnue‘ his researches and mak: practical tests in criminal cases. Goddard is convinced of the “vast possibilities” of deception tests that are scientifically conducted, and s6 is Au- gust Vollmer, expert of th> Wickersham Crime Commission and also an associate member of the Chicago crime laboratory. May End Third Degree. “Keeler's method of d:tecting decep- tion is the very anthesis of the third degree,” Col. Goddard explained. “I confidently believ> that eventually the process will be substituted for the more brutal methods long practiced in many of our cities. The public will demand it. “But the public must b> educated to it. Popular misconceptions about it must be dispelled, not only in the minds of people generally, but of law enforce- ment officers, from polic:men to judges. We are going to assist Mr. Keeler in the campaign of education. through intelli- gent demonstration of the ‘lie detzctor’s’ real worth in ¢riminology.” Keeler is a graduate of Stamford Uni- versity, where he first conductzd his ex- periments, and he plans to take a medi- cal degree at Northwestern. Ha is but | 25 years old. ‘The detector as perfected by Keel<r is | || #0 sensitive that it can tell when a per- son is voicing an “inconsequ>ntial” lie— one in which emotional fear of a K\HIQYI person or anger of a falsely accused one is lacking. This was proved in a novel | card test conducted among colleg> stu- dents. Ten playing cards were handed to on> of the subjects with the ruquest; that he mentally choose one and re- member it. The cards then were shuffied | || and dealt out, one by one, with the question, “Is this the card you chos:?” The subject was advised to answer neg- | atively to each repetition of the query. | even when the correct card was placed | before him. Only Four Failed. ‘Thus the student told one lie, without fear or anger or other emotional stress. Of the 75 studcnts tested, only 4 failed to show on the record of the tell- tale emotional response of a liar, Keeler declared. The curving line traced by th> uncanny machine showed a slowly increasing blood pressure as the test progressed, with “humps” for each wrong card exposed and slightly greater rises when the correct card appeared. ‘Then the line rapidly dropped back and no other marked deviation occurred during the showing of the remaining cards. . “The students told me in nearly every case they had tried hard to ‘fool, the machine’ by suppr:ssing emotional; im- pulses, or by saying to themsclves as each wrong card was shown: ‘That is the card I chose,’ so as to record a lie in every instance.’ Keeler has devised certain procedures to fit nearly every police need. He con- tends that proper application of the principles involved not only will point to the guilty in mor> than 90 per cent of the tests, but positively will free the innocent of suspicion. “A suspect, whether innocent or guilty,” Kecler states, “naturally will suffer much apprehension if accused of a crime. If he is innocent, he be- comes indignant, resentful and possibiy enraged. If he is guilty he is ruled by YOUR JEWELRY —S8hould have same attention and consideration as your physical con- dition. Ofttimes, ‘a_dlamond is lost through meglect. Our service will protect vour diamonds. Let Us Look Them Over Before Your ‘acation CHAS. F. HERRMANN Mig. Jeweler 811 E St. N.W., 2nd Floor Watches and Diamonds on Sal PERFECTION STARCHED FINISHED SERVICE I NATIONAL LAUNDRY CO. MEtropoli 1452 THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, Frank T. Farrell shown with microscopic equipment at Northwestern University’s crime clinic. fear of discovery, or fear of mistreat- ment at the hands of the police. “In either case the subject will have blood pressure variations, and it there- fors b-comes necessary to employ A clever process of questioning, with due consideration of all factors likely to be involved in the man’s reactions.” Method of Questioning. The method of questioning adyocated | by Keeler is as follows: The suspect 15| brought into the laboratory and left in custody of officers who have not pre- viously quizzed him. The prisoner is put at ease with an assurance that he | will not be persecuted and a requist | that he tell his “alibi” before the test begins. When his story is done he is ask:d if he will submit to a little test so that “the doctor” may record his blood pressure and respiration. “If you're innocent of this charge,” the subject is advised, “I'm surs we can determin> that fact in a few minutes. I'm sorry we have to impose on you like this, but you won't mind, will you, under the circumstances?” An innocent man has nothing to fear and is glad to help in any way that may prove his innocence. A guilty man, how:ver, dares not refuse for fear it will indicate his guilt. The prisoner is seated in a comfort- abl> chair, the blood pressure ‘“cuff” bound around. his arm and inflated, the pneumograph tube bound to his* chest, the r:cording needle adjusted and the machine started. Befors the question- ing is begun the following statement is read to the subject: “This machine to which you ar> con- nected has been used for some years on criminal subjects and so far hes proved a very reliable means of detecting the innocence or guilt of a man. I'm certain we shall not fail in your case. Now sit as quietly as possible ‘and answer my questions by just ‘Yes' or ‘No.' If you hav2 any explanations to make, reserve them till later.” This preamble is read in a monotone. During the reading it has been found that innocent p-rsons usually relax and | settle down to the business of answer- ing the forthcoming questions frankly and honestly. The guilty ones become more tens>, with a noticeable rise in blood pressuire. Several wkolly irrelevant questions are | propounded first, and then queries bear- ing directly on the crime are asked, | abruptly. It has been shown that an innocent person suffers a slight increase questioning, without marked variations ‘ in the general curve, but that the line | | subsides toward the end. able deviations of the chart line. The | more than ever on the record. The first test cprsumes about 10 minutes and | should result in a clear indication of | guilt or innocence. | “1f we think the man gullty, a second | test is given, during which the subject is permitted to watch the fluctuaticns of the needle. In 75 per cenc of the cases I have tested the guilty man confesszd after the second or third test. “I do not claim that deception tests are infallible. There is yet much ex- | perimental research to be done, looking | toward improved procedure. But I do believe such tests are of great potential | | value in the special field of police work." | (Copyright, 1931). | COPPER PRICES LOWER. NEW YORK, July 2 (#)—Further weakness in the copper price structure appeared today with reports that some custom smelters were offering the metal | for domestic delivery at 81,/ cents a pound. Smelters yesterday were offering cop- per at 8!, cents, delivered, with no buying reported. Previously some had shadded the price from 9 cents to 8% | cents a pound. | When You —What a elry, valuable “If the man is guilty,” Keeler asserted, | on the bourse totlay. “the blopd pressure continues to mount | Tentes, 87 francs 35 centimes; 5 per as the test continues, with very notice- | cent loan, 103 francs 70 centimes. subject attempts to control his breath- | centimes ing and succeeds only in agitating it | francs 54} centimes. satisfaction it know that your silverware, jew- papers and other PARIS BOUBSE PRICES. PARIS, July 2 () —Prices were firm Three per cent Exchange on London, 124 francs 25 The dollar was quoted at 25 Kool STARTS MONDAY! Are Away is to treasures are safely stored in the LOAN AND vaults of THE WASHINGTON TRUST COM- PANY—safe from fire or burglary! in blcod pressure at the outsst of the | It truly Is a fine in- vestment that yields 6% regularly and with assurance that the principal is secure. That's what our 6% First Mortgages do. May be purchased in amounts from $250 up. B. F. SAUL CO. | National 2100 925 15th St. N.W. W ise folks take no chances THE WASHINGTON LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY Safe Deposit Boxes and Storage Vaults at CENTRAL OFFICE F and Ninth Streets at WEST END OFFICE Seventeenth and G Sts. Here’s a Spray that LEAVES NO ODOR! « « although deadly to flies and mosqu will never smell up your house Al.' last fly and mosquito- killing has been made pleasant for everyone except the flies and mosquitos! Now there is a spr: does not smell up the It is called Flyosan . . we urge you to try it Fi itos, it DAY! You will be amazed at the way it kills those flies. It attacks their breathing apba- ratus...smothers them. And down they come . ay that house! and ois.4 DO SOLD BY YOUR DRUGGIST DEAD! Moreover, Flyosan will leave no odor. Please remember that. IT WILL LEAVE NO ODOR! Flyosan is sold by your drug- gistand recommended by the thousands of wBmem who use it. The price is no higher. Be sure you get the new DrRoDOR- IZED FLYOSAN. . o recently perfect- ed. There is no other insecti remotely like it. D C. Washington Produce ’.’aumr—onl-mnd prints, 28 g 18a20; current Te- Eggs—Hennery, ceipts, 16, Poultry, alive—Spring broflers, 3 pounds and over, 332342 to 2% pounds, 30a32; small, 1% to 2 pounds, 27a28; Leghorns, large, 24a25; small, 20a22; hens, large, 19a20; small, 17a18; Leg- horns, 14a15; roosters, 13al4. Dressed —=Spring brollers, 3 pounds and over, 37a38; 2 to 212 pounds, 34a35; 115 to 2 pounds, 32a33; Leghorns, large, 27a28; THURSDAY, 3 tub, JULY ' 2;- 1931 Joupes, jumbcs, 3.75; standards, 3.00a 3.50; ponys, 2.50; flats, 1.15; peaches, 50a2.50; apples, June, per bushel, 75a box stock, 2.5¢ .pm“'!l"h 2.00a grapes, omp- seedless, 3.00; honeydews, 1531 ;" honeyballs, jumbos, standards, ;__ponys, .50a2. oranges, Florida, 5.00; California, 2.50: 5.50; blackberries, 2.00a3.00; huckleber- ries, 2.5025.00; black raspberries, 3.00a 3.50; red raspberries, per quart, 25a30; cherries, 15-pound lugs, fancy, 2.00a2. lemons, 6.5029.00; bananas, 1.00a2. limes, per 100, 1.75a2,00; grapefruit, 2.;gn§.2 rhubarb, per, 100 bunches, .50a3. 'Vegetables—Potatoes, new, per barrel, 2. son 1.75 Consolidated Gas & Electric.' BALTIMORE, July 2 (Special).— Gross operating revenue of the Con- solidated Gas, Electric Light & Power Co, for the first five months of 1931 was $12,623,831, as compared with $12,- 532,880 for the corresponding period of 1930. After all operating expenses (in- cluding retirement expenses), taxes and fixed charges, the net income available for dividends and surplus was $3,374, 213, compared with $3,258,340 for the corresponding months last year, an in- crease of 2'; per cent. T / manner I'n;vhlch the £mall, 25a26; hens, large, 23a24; small, 20a21; Leghorns, 15a16; roosters, 15a16; Long Island ducks, 22a23. Meats—Beef, 12'a13; cow, 11; veal, 13a13 lamb, 16al7; fresh ages, 11. Live stock—Hogs, light and medium, 7.50a7.80; pigs, 7.008 7.00; Spring lambs, 4.0026.50. Frui tcp, 14a15; medium, | lina, 4; Spring pork loins, fresh killed, 17a18; fresh hams, 17%; shoulders, 13; smoked hams, ; smoked shoulders, 12; strip frozen, heavy, 6.50a750; roughs, 3.5025.00; calves, 5.00a ts—Watermelons, 30a60; to LAWYERS practicing before the INTERNAL REVENUE DEPARTMENT For prestige that comes with an address such as«that offered by the new building of Po- tomac Electric Power Com- pany . . . for convenience of location with only two short blocks to the Department of Internal Revenue, every at- torney having frequent busi- ness before that Department will find his ideal in office space at 10th and E streets N.W. A phone call will bring you complete information as to rentals and choice space now cant 2.00a2.25; old, 120-pound sacks, 2.25a2.5 sweets, per Mississippi, flats, 6-pan crates, 2 2-peck baskets, 1.75a2.2: string beans, asparagus, squash, bushel baskets, 1.50; NevgnYork. 50875; Toeberg, 5.50 cabbage con, 21; lard, in 5 - | 50a60; eggplant, 3.00a3.50; turnips, 1.0 bulk, 10; in pack- | ¥ per 100 bunches, 0 beets, per 100 bunches, 2.00; onic Bermuda, 50-pound containers, 100 bunches, mushrooms, 50; cucumbers, kale, 50a75; spinach, 75a1.00. bushel, 1.50a1.75; Spring, 1589/ 50a75; lim: = peppers, 1.25; lettuce, 1.7 2.00a2. 1.00al. I A \ ! We Pause to Celebrate the Nation’s Birthday - Learn a lesson from this Nation’s struggle for independence. It secured its independence only after years of determined effort and sacrifice. v Your financial inde- pendence will not come without effort—you must work for it. But it is within your reach if you have the will power to save regularly for it. Freedom from Worry! Financial Independence! available. CARL Our Potomac Electric Power Co. Bldg. 10th and “E” Sts. N.W, x Inquire G. ROSINSKI Realtor LEASING AGENT PHONE NA. 9254 Lincoln 7th & D Sts. SILVERPLATE entire Surely a worth-while goal. National Bank 17th & H Sts. BRO& stock without reservation Set of Six Teaspoonu.......... sss e Dessert or Oval Soup Spoons Table or Serving Spoons........' Cream Soup or Cereal Spoons.. up Spoons, round bowl Bouillon Spoons.......... Coffee Spoons. ......opeeeees Iced Tea Spoons.. ... . Orange or Grapefruit Spoons.. Dessert or Luncheon Forks.. Dinner Forks... Ice Cream Forks.... Individual Salad Forks. Pastry or Pie Forks.... WAS .. $3.75 $7.50 $7.50 $7.50 $7.50 $7.25 $3.75 $6.00 $5.75 $7.50 $7.50 $6.25 . $7.50 .. $8.50 Dinner Knives, hollow }nndie. s. ;. blade$12.00 Dinner Knives, h. h., s. mirror finish $14.00 Dessert or Luncheon Knives, h.l'f.‘.l s. $12.00 Above, with s. s. blades, mirror finish $14.00 Each Berry or Salad Spoon. Gald Misny Fiovks, .. Gravy Ladle.............. Pie or Ice Cream Server. .. -WAS e $3.50 .. $2.50 .. $2.75 . $4.50 NOwW $2.80 $5.63 $5.63 $5.63 $5.63 $5.44 $2.80 $3.50 $4.31 $5.63 $5.63 $4.69 $5.63 $6.37 $9.00 $10.50 $9.00 $10.50 NOW $2.63 $1.88 $2.06 $3.38 NO MONEY DOWN 50c A WEEK 1004 F St. N.W. S 818 KING ST., " ALEX.,, VA.