BUT HE HADN'T DESERTED.
Prisoner in the Holdover Played It
on Police.
Sergeant Harry James left last night for Philadelphia with a deserter from the navy, Archie Ingraham. He was arrested by Patrolman E. C. Welch Thursday afternoon.
"I can always pick out a deserter when they are brought in," Desk Sergeant Charles McVey said several days ago when Patrolman Patrick Boyle said he would like to pick up one. "There is one downstairs now," McVey continued.
The two officers went to the holdover and McVey called to one of the prisoners and asked, "When did you desert?"
"Six weeks ago," the suspected deserter replied.
"Where from?" he was asked.
"Frisco, from the Illinois."
"These deserters cannot get by me," McVey told Boyle. "I can always spot them."
The desk sergeant granted Patrolman Boyle the right to take the prisoner to Philadelphia and turn him over to the government. Yesterday Patrolman Boyle took the deserter to the navy recruiting station to arrange for transportation. An officer in charge of the station looked at the man and then said to him, "You were never in the navy."
"I know it," he answered.
"Why in thunder did you claim to be a deserter?" Patrolman Boyle inquired, as he saw his Eastern visit slipping away from him. The prisoner who was believed to be a deserter said he wanted to join the navy, and thought that the easiest way to do so.
