The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 25

Ufa UfafohfawL gnawer 25 TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 24, 1952 X. 'Gyp' Towing Racket Aided by Policemen, 4-Mo. Probe Shows Insurance Adjusters and Taxi Drivers Also Involved, Hearing Is Told Assistant District Attorney Charles R. Weiner said yesterday that a four-month investigation by the District Attorney's office of the towing racket showed not only evidence of collusion between police and so-called "gyp" towing companies but also involved .1 is 4 1 Mrs. Neff Freed In $10,000 Bail Pending Appeal Judge Overruled By Circuit Court In Red Perjury Trial V-W, i taxicab drivers and insurance adjusters.

Weiner spoke at a preliminary hearing by City Council's i Committee on Law and Government on an ordinance introduced June 12 providing for strict regulation of automobile towing concerns He said the Investigation disclosed that policemen who aided the "gyp" companies by getting the disabled vehicles off the Mrs. Sylvia NefT, sentenced last streets received $10 for each tow ing job and $15 or more for each The Lighter Side renair lob. Last week, members of the rackets lift Thug Terrorizes Clerk, Gets $50 In Hosiery Store Mustached Bandit Threatens Girl, Scoops Up Money A mustached bandit yesterday terrorized a girl clerk at gunpoint and robbed the cash register of more than $50 in a hosiery store at 1425 South St. Miss Evelyn Evans, 27. of 5013 Woodland was the cleric In the Ideal Hosiery Co.

store when the robbery occurred. She told Det. Gustav Braun, of the 2d Detective Division, that she was waiting on a woman customer when the man walked in. When she finished, the man asked for some stockings. As she turned from getting the stockings the robber held out what appeared to be a gun under a handkerchief.

"Lie on the floor or I'll blow your brains out." the thug instructed Miss Evans. She complied. The man opened the cash register, scooped out more than $30 and ran from the store. Miss Evans called police. She said the man wore a pencil-thin mustache, was five feet, nine inches tall, was of slim build and wore a gray suit and hat.

The store is operated by Joseph Abowitcz, of 5216 Arlington ave. squad of the District Attorney's office seized records in a raid on the garageon 12th st. near Columbia operated by Mike Cohen, which named 58 policemen as receiving cash payments for tips on auto accidents and tow-and-repair jobs. Police Commissioner Thomas J. Gibbons is investigating the alleged bribes to the policemen.

90 PCT. OVERCHARGED Weiner also said that of the more than 100O questionnaires sent out by the District Attorney's office to victims of the racket, 90 percent replied that they had been overcharged for repairs to their cars. He cited a number of instances where motorists had been pursued for hours after accidents by runners of "gyp" concerns to get their business. Weiner explained that these companies operate tow trucks with two-way radios and when an accident occurs the tow cars are on the scene within minutes. He said the operator shoves a piece of paper into the motorist's hand which on its face gives Friday to 10 years in prison for falsely swearing she had no Communist affiliations, was admitted to $10,000 bail by the U.

S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit yesterday pending an appeal. The 42-year-old grandmother, convicted May 28 in the Federal Court at Camden, was a secretary for Local 80 of the United Packing House Workers (CIO), the Campbell Soup Co. union. Prior to her trial she had been free in C5000 bail.

When she was sentenced. Judge Thomas M. Madden said she was dangerous to the security of the Nation and denied her any further freeaom under bond. BRIDGES CASE CITED Yesterday her attorney, Morton Stavis, told Judges Albert B. Maris, Harry E.

Kalodner and William H. Hastie that Mrs. Neff and her husband own their own house in Camden, that she had lived there 31 years and that during that time she had never been in trouble with the law. He pointed out that Harry Bridges. West Coast longshoremen's leader, was free under bond in similar circumstances.

Stavis picked up a glass of water and said his client was just about as dangerous to the security of the country as the glass of water was. That contention, however, brought sharp attack from Assistant U. S. Among the first of the summer recreation workers to be fingerprinted at City Hall, where the loyalty oath also was administered, was Mrs. Esther Servila, of 3803 Archer shown above being fingerprinted by Patrolman Thomas Curry.

More than 600 temporary recreation workers at city pools, playgrounds and the new Camp Happy in the Pocono Mountains are being "processed" in like manner. Inside Scoop On Dirty Deal By James R. George FUN has come by the ton op maybe it's by the cubic yard-to residents of one of the littl communities out on the Bethlehem pike between Chestnut Hill and Flourtown, where word has just got around of what a certain contractor did all by himself with his little steam shovel. For obvious reasons, none of th parties concerned are talking about it least of all the contractor, who seems to be the loser on the deal. He had orders from a resident who was about to build a house to remove enough earth from the steep embankment, at the front of the lot so it would be at street level.

Bright and early one morning, the contractor's steam shovel went to work, and for two days it scooped up dirt Ilka mad. The contractor himself toot a look at the job the second night, and decided it was a nice piece of work. Shortly after he got home changed his mind about that. A phone message was awaiting him to call the man who had contracted the excavation. "Hey." the guy asked when the contractor called back, "when ara you going to start working on that lot of mine?" "Why.

it's all replied th replier. "What you talking about?" demanded the customer. "I was out there and there hasnt been a shovelful of dirt trucked away." Alas, yes you have guessed it. Nanette Macey, of 15th st. near Erie held in $2500 bait on charges of passing worthless and stolen checks.

Blonde Is Held In Cashing of Goldberq Named them the authority to tow the auto Aide to Lucchesi Dr. Pascal F. Lucchesi. executive vice president and medical director of Einstein Medical Center, nounced yesterday the appointment It's Happening Here Russ Meyer Is 'Benefactor in One Ruck Suit Judge Under Pressure to Quit Park Board oh Bv Frank Brookliouser 2 Barefoot Boys Forced to Walk On Broken Glass Attcrnev Alexander Feinberg. who Stolen Checks Herman R.

Goldberg as his ad-i ministrative assistant. Russ Meyer, the "Phillies twirler, wound up yesterday being but in reality also "gives" them the authority to repair th damaged vehicle. TRADE GROUP BACKS BILL Richard MacMeekin. general manager of the Philadelphia Auto Trade Association, indorsed the ordinance which sets up licensing fees and towing rates, declaring it would regulate the business to the best interests of everyone. He said one of the most serious phases of the towing racket was that once the car is in the garage of these companies, it is almost impossible to get it out without paying exorbitant charges.

He declared that in some cases the front end of the auto Goldberg has been administrator of the former Northern Liberties Hospital, now the Eastern Division of the Center, for 17 years. He will retain this post while serving as Dr. Lucchesi's representative on Center matters. Goldberg is a member of the American Hospital Association, the American College of Hospital Administrators and the Pennsylvania Hospital Association. A jitory of how two 9-year-old boys mere forced to walk barefooted over the particles of a broken glass jug and then have their initials carved Into their skin with slithers of glass was revealed yesterday after nine members of a so-called "Torture a big public benefactor $13.65 worth in that one-buck lawsuit filed him last week, though he hadn't expected it that way.

As we told you, Jim Peterson, former Athletics pitcher and restaurant manager, got tired of "The Mad Monk" leaving his car for free on the parking lot Jim operates near Shibe Park. Meyer, according to Peterson, just left the car and refused to pay. So Jim had a summons issued by Magistrate Nathan Beifel A young blonde, who said she had worked in Miami night clubs before comirlg here a month ago. was held in $2500 bail yesterday by Magistrate John L. Coyle on charges of cashing worthless and stolen checks for nearly $1000.

Police said that Nanette Macey. 20. of 15th st. near Erie told them she turned the proceeds over to two men companions. When Miss Macey was arrested last Saturday by Patrolman Louis Tambone at 65th st.

and Paschall two young men sitting in a parked car nearby immediately drove away. Magistrate Coyle held Miss Macey Oang" mere arrested. There had been a slight mixup on was disassembled within half an hour Auditor Named For Airport Probe Patrolman John Donato. of the "1C Juvenile Aid Burrau. made public) That meant Meyer had to pay.

not only the buck, but $12.65 the Mory nod announced that he; costs. Yesterday, just before the hearing was to begin, a check believed a number of other children arrived at Beifel's office from the Phillies' business manager for In the urea of Green st. between 18th 'that sum. Meyer, who hit the ceiling when he heard of the suit, and 20th sis. had been victimized in didn't show up at all recent, weeks by the gang who.se agesj Beifel turned the whole check, costs and all.

over to Peterson. demanded to know why Mrs. NefT had not been put on the witness stand "if she is so innocent and snow white and pure." TURNED BACK ON DEFENSE Feinberg said Mrs. Neff had turned her back on the opportunity everyone accused of a crime has in this country "the right to stand up and say that it isn't true." The Government attorney also insisted that Stavis, in attacking the Government's summation, had used works taken "verbatim from the Daily Worker," the official Communist publication. Man Is Arrested In Gambling Case James B.

Thompson, 53, of Shields st. near Elmwood was arrested yesterday at 63d st. and Woodland ave. by Inspector John F. Driscoll.

who said he saw him accept a $7 horse race bet from a passerby. He had $114 in his possession. Thompson was charged with pool selling and bookmaking and held for a hearing today at the 55th and Pine sts. station. after an accident.

'VICIOUS RACKET" Deputy Police Commissioner Herbert J. Kitchenman said the ordinance was needed to halt a "vicious Bernard Paltin, former chief of ranse from 11 to 14 years, and that's how "The Monk" became a donor to a good cause. For Peterson added his own personal check for $100 to the penalty for a further hearing Friday at the: request of Detectives James Travis' and John Hackett. I tUI7.l ON SATl'RDAV addresses, and the steam shovel had done a dandy job of leveling the lot next to the one it was to work on! So far. three has been no hint that the gent who lost hi hill wants it back.

Note to the Traffic Entlneer Somebody: There's a traffic on the northwest corner of Juniper and Locust sts. facing eat guide the westbound traffic but traffic hasn't been westbound Locust since January, 1916. How about turning the light around. racket which has troubled police of- i ficials for a long time. "We are not proud of the part Dnnatn said that the boys.

John check, turned both over to the current Muscular Dystrophy Fund Farley, of 1712 Green and campaign. which some policemen have played in it." he said. He suggested that a minimum charge for towing be set up in the ordinance, and that names of licensed towing companies be auditors in the City Controller's office.has been chosen auditor for the Councilmanic committee which will investigate Philadelphia airports, The Inquirer learned yesterday. Paltin. a certified public accountant, worked in the Controller's office when it was headed by Mayor Joseph S.

Clark. and conducted audits of virtually every city depart-ment. as well as of the airport building program. Students' Notes posted in all police stations. The young woman, who also used the name of Marianna Ryan, said she was a native of Buffalo, N.

Y. Travis testified that the checks she passed, each made out for $78. were among 589 checks taken in burglaries at the Mayfair Lumber 7350 State and the Alliance Roofing and Insulation st. and Sedgley during the last two weeks. Police are hopeful of picking up her accomplices.

Travis said. Nathan Corson." of 7 N. Front Colwyn, Delaware county, hailed A. A. Martin, of 5730 Wayne an automobile dealer, said that ef forts had been made for four years Charles Sadakia.

of 1707 Green were set upon by the gang in the virinitv of and Green sts. on Paturday night. The policeman further stated that the to youngsters were taken by the gang to the basement of a building in the neighborhood, where their mouths were filled with soil. Then they were required to remove their hoe and stockings and walk tn the broken glass in the basement. INITIALS CUT IN ARM Then, using a piece of glass, one nt the gang cut the Farley lad initials in his back while another cut to break up the racket, We hear that considerable pressure is being put on Judge Harold Saylor, of the Orphans' Court, to hare him resign from the Fairmount Park Commission.

He has refused, insisting that the two jobs he holds are not incompatible since he has nothing to do with appointments to the commission. These are made by the Board of Common Pleas Judges. Some gentlemen from this bench reportedly feel strongly that Judge Saylor should resign. And here's one phase of the background to this issue: In the voting for filling the last vacancy on the commission, drugstore mogul Bill Sylk was defeated by attorney Phillip Price, 13 to 5. The understanding was that Sylk would get the next Patrolman Tambone last Saturday huh? It took a heap of arguing for District Attorney Richardson Dilworth to get a $50,000 appropriation from City Council for remodeling his offices on City Hall's sixth floor.

Ho had to give the most vehement exposition of how the costly improvement was necessary for efficiency, how it had been long neglected, hof the money really wasn't much compared to the benefits, and all liko that. But he finally persuaded tht economy-minded solons. Now. the city's managing director. Buck Sawyer, a very important fellow, too.

second in command only to Mayor Clark, is taking over as offices for his staff the second floor when Miss Macey tried to pass one of the Alliance checks for $78 at his produce market at 6332 Woodland ave. 25 Employes Flee Blaze, 2 Hurt, Fireman Felled Two employes were injured, two others suffered shock, a fireman was overcome by fumes and about 25 persons flea from the building yesterday when fire damaged the Alon Manufacturing Linked to Ogden A Philadelphia handwriting ex the initials of the Sadakis boy in his I richt arm. Donato said. i One of the youths then asked the tw victims hich one is the rich i pert last night testified that there; 3 Caught at Bank vacancy, almost automatically. Saylor's resignation could take care of that.

1123 Hamilton st Capt. Frank (The Cisco Kid) Rizzo really cleaned off the corner of Broad and Locust after a TV fight the other night and some of Battalion Chief Raymond Schaper was a similarity between the handwriting on three notes sent to students and that of former big league baseball player Warren H. Curly) Ogden. suspended science teacner at Pennsgrove Regional High School in Pennsgrove, N. J.

The testimony by Leon Melcher. of 1420 S. Penn Square, was given that used to be a courtroom and judge's chambers. It is necessary to install Dartitions to break up the Donate said. Then the gangster said.

"We want money or our buddies will break your arms." Following that the two youngsters ere released and went home and told their parents of their ordeal. Their parents immediately notified police. The officer spent all day yesterday rounding up the nine members of tha gang at their homes. The two victims identified each of them. The gang members all were sent to the Youth Study Center, 20th st.

and the Parkway. to support charges of the Board ofi Education, which suspended Ogden School Honors Retiring Principal The Clara Barton Home and School Association tendered a testimonial dinner last night to Dr. Andrew M. Strang, who is retiring as principal of the Clara aBrton School, and Wyoming sts. During the affair, held at McAllister's, 1811 Spring Garden Dr.

Strang was presented with a plaque by the Pussmarainiens. a Feltonville charitable and social club. After 'Stickup' Yell Three teen-age boys were held for questioning yesterday by the FBI and the Juvenile Division of the Police Department after representatives of the Northwestern National Bank. Broad st. and Fairmount reported hearing threats of a holdup.

Detectives Joseph Golden, George Wiest and John Gormley. of the 12th and Pine sts. station, said Raymond Erfle and Rowland Cushmore, vice presidents of the bank, saw a boy come to the front door of the bank with a sweater over his head and shout: "This is a stickup!" Members of the bank's staff caught the boys after a chase, police said. One of the boys, the detectives said, insisted the whole thing was a prank. The names of the juveniles are withheld by The Inquirer.

the sporting men he chased were the big boys, including Blinky Palermo. He gave them a special warning. If he ever saw them on the corner again, the Cisco Kid said, they'd find themselves being booked. A well-known comic gave a veteran bandleader a surprise massage with his fists at the conclusion of a show in one of the town's biggest night clubs the other night. We trust that the comic wasn't that angry because he didn't think he had received proper musical accompaniment for his act.

That sort of development could bring an end to the entertainment business. A lady we know hailed a cab in the midtown and was riding out Market st. when a short circuit developed at 15th. The horn began to blow like mad. Quickly a crowd formed around the cab, as the driver lifted said the fire started when a spark from a buffing machine ignited plastic dust.

Burning plastic produced toxic fumes that spread through part of the. building. Firemen extinguished the flames in about 20 minutes. Lawrence Hackett. 50.

of 4030 May wood one of "the employes, was burned on the neck and left arm. Another employe. Mrs. Lucille Vosicka. 29, of 1903 Arch sprained her ankle as she descende da fire escape.

Miss Emma Virtue, 39. of 1935 Spring Garden and Mrs. Ruby Harrison, 39, of 1836 Green st- suffered shock. All were treated at Hahnemann Hospital. John Allen.

32, of 5809 Chester a fireman, was overcome. Dr. Harry Corenzwit, a vice presi dent of the community organization, said the award was in recognition of Dr. Strang's 20 years of service to on April 14 on charges of insubordination, incapacity and conduct unbecoming a teacher. PLAYED WITH ATHLETICS Ogden, who played with the Athletics and Washington Senators and was a scout in South Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania for the Phillies and St.

Louis has charged that his suspension was prompted by the "dictatorial tactics" af Howard D. Brooks, high school principal, and Allan Tomlinson, supervisor of schools. More than 150 students went on a strike April 8 when Ogden's suspension appeared imminent. Fifty of the strikers were suspended when they refused to return to classes four days after Ogden had been relieved of his duties. CALLED FOR 'PUNISHMENT The notes analyzed last night by the community as an educator and friend.

rooms into suitably sized offices. Guess what they're using for partitions there? Why. of course the discarded ones from the DA's quarters. Haven't-I-Seen-This-Place Before Department: One recent night, the Bur roughs Adding Machine Co. organization threw a big surprise banquet at Shoyer's, 412 Arch st to honor a retiring executive, Geoffrey Cilmour.

Called on for a speech, Cilmour disclosed that he was surprised in more ways than one. In 1911, the day the com-pany transferred him to Philadelphia, he and his wife ate their first dinner at Shoyer's and here, 41 years later, by a coincidence of which the party arrangers could know nothing, the grand finale was occurring at the same restaurant. Holdup Suspect Held in High Bail John Matusek, 23. of 4th st. near Authority Lauds Anti-Bias Ruling The Redevelopment Authority yesterday expressed "commendation and approval" of the Philadelphia Housing Authority new policy non-discrimination and non-segregation on all of its housing projects.

Francis J. Myers. Redevelopment Authority chairman, announced passage of a resolution which praised the Housing Authority's "straightforward snd impressive manner" in bundling the situation. Melcher purportedly directed three students to appear for "punishment" for infractions of school rules. Melcher said the markings on the notes and Ogden's handwriting ap the hood to try to locate the short.

He found that he had a horde of assistants and they kept reaching their hands under the hood to detach wires here and there. In time, the horn stopped blowing and the driver and his passenger continued on their way. After they had moved along for a couple of blocks, the driver turned to the lady, scratched his head, and said: "You know, I'm not exactly sure how this cab is running after all the wires they pulled out!" Bernard J. Relief, the Deputy City Manager, has never been a delegate to a national political convention, but he did have a role in one back in 1920. At that time, Kelley was an officer aboard the U.S.S.

New Mexico, which was then in San Francisco harbor. The Democrats gathered in the California city that year, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels came out, and Kelley was detailed to be his aide. That was the year, incidentally, in which a young man with a love for the Navy was nominated for Vice President man name of Roosevelt. Incidental information on the pretzel: This State is the center of the industry Of the 63 pretzel bakeries in the country, it has 53 of them More than 100,000,000 pounds of pretzels arfe baked each year The pretzel derives its name from a Latin word meaning "small reward" Industry in this State began in the 1850s in a small bake shop in Lititz. The story goes that a tramp stopped into the shop one day and, in exchange for a handout, gave the proprietor a formula for mak peared similar.

Eric Bacon, a junior, one of the boys to receive notes, said he had been subjected to a "ducking" in the Poplar, was held in $10,000 bail yesterday by Magistrate Benjamin Segal In Central Police Court in shower room and that his body had connection with the $2097 holdup of been marked with indelible ink. The "nunishment" was meted out by the Monroe Lederer and Taussig Inc. paint manufacturing plant. 60S N. American last May 29.

2 Hurt as Car Skids Into Bus Two men were injured yesterday hen a sedan skidded into a PTC bus the Ridge Barren Hill, Just as the bus stopped to discharge a passenger at Cherry la. Both men were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital, Norristown. The bus passenger, thrown out by the impact, was John Porucznik, 27. of 332 Fountain Roxborough. His back wu injured.

The motorist. Oliver Davis, of 3816 Olive suffered rhest injuries. Narcotics Stolen From Doctor's Car The medical kit of Dr. Alexander Randall, of 133 S. 36th was other students.

Bacon said. Two other students, Larry Funder- Detective Lt. Albert Mortimer tes burk and David Zonies, also juniors. tified that Matusek had confessed to said they received notes to report "behind the school," but that nothing happened. wielding the pistol that cowed four employes when the holdup took place and to receiving $300 as his i err 4 '''N I Lrr i7 1 usii It" .1 share of the loot.

The board is attempting to link the notes with Ogden, who had been Matusek was identified as one of the holdup men by Ralph J. Taussig. a teacher at Pennsgrove 17 years. He also, served at one time as a member or tne nrm who uves at athletic director and football coach. 7754-A Lucretia Mott Way.

Elkins Park and Irene M. Hehl. ofice manager, of 4413 N. 4th st. He was ar atolen last night from his automobile, parked at 37th and Walnut sts rested last Saturday in a taproom on Germantown ave.

near Venango st. Dr. Randall said the kit contained small quantity of narcotics. Walter F. Shivers, of 4529 Pine 2 Suspects Held George Ehmanns Married 50 Years Mr.

and Mrs. Gorge C. Ehmann, of 1636 Ritner will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary tomorrow. Their son, George C. Ehmann, held open house for them Sunday at his home in Aldan.

They also have four daughters, five grandchildren and one On Drug Charge Douglas Jackson. 28. and Grayson Solomon, 29, both of Halsey Brooklyn, were held in $1000 apiece ing a hard pretzel The bakery still turns them out according to the tramp's formula. Dave Dushoff, co-owner of the Latin Casino, was correcting his 6-year-old daughter, Gail, in the proper use of the English language. "Two negatives make a positive," he explained at one point.

A short time later, the little girl asked both her mother and father for a dime. They had already given her the regular aZ-lowance, refused her. "Two negatives make a positive," she said. "Now who's going to give me the dime?" Honesty doesn't always pay. Case in point: Shelby Rubinstein, of 1203 N.

41st found a lady's handbag In a dressing room of a midtown department store. The bag contained $200 in cash and a wristwatch. She took it to the information desk and while she waited, word of its recovery was broadcast over the store's amplification system. A few minutes later a woman appeared at the desk and properly identified the handbag. Then she turned to the finder and said: "Your reward is your honesty." a vacuum cleaner salesman, also reported that a demonstrator cleaner and equipment valued at $125 were stolen from his auto, parked at SSth and Spring Garden sts.

Electronic Plant Damaged by Fire Flrt damaged the second-floor by Magistrate Benjamin Segal in Central Police Court on charges of being drug addict. LA. William Leinhauser. head of hipping department of the North the narcotics squad, testified that the men had been examined by Dr. Edward L.

Keyte in City Hall and tht cast Industries Co. plant at 4041 Word Rime OBVIATE (OBB-vee-ayt) To end. a need or to prevent Is meant by OBVIATE A crook could obviate arrest If he would just "go Ridge ave. last night. The company tests pronounced positive.

Jackson and Solomon were arrest Norma Strehl (left), of 1225 N. Taney displays one of the military posters for the first anniversary party of the YWCA-USO canteen, at the Mid-City YWCA. 2027 Chestnut tonight. Next to Miss Strehl are Nancy Marinacci (center), of 1949 S. 13th stM and Toni Cardano," 2429 S.Camacst., who will help ed following a fight and stabbing at makes electronic equipment.

Firemen of Engine 35. from Ridge nd Midvale extinguished the Sri la about 20 minutes. the Union Bus Terminal. 13th and Filbert sts, Sunday..