The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-25
POLITICS HUSH
|SCHARGED IN
ROZELLE CASE
South WhitIy Publisher
Makes Second Plea to
Harry S. New.
APPROACHED HE SAYS
District Attorney Makes
Unusual Request, Is !.
Hicks Statement.


SOUTH BEND, Ind, June rs
Robert E. Hicks, South Whitley
publisher, today announced that be-
cause of the appearance of politi-
cal influence" he had made a new
appeal to Postmaster General Harry
S. New for a thorough inquiry into
his charges of fraudulent use of the
mails by the Omaha Tapestry Com
pany of La Grange, Ind.
This is the company operated by
Frank Rozelle, newly appointed
marshal of the northern Indiana
Federal Court.
Hicks made his announcement as
he came here to appear before the
Federal grand jury in the invlsti-
cation into Rozelles operations.
"Out of the many cases have
exposed, I consider this the most
important. because. there now is the
added factor of political influence"
Hicks wired New.
Second Visit to Jury
Hicks is the publisher of THE
Speciality Salesman" and known as
the nemesis Of mail order frauds.
This is Hicks second visit to
testify before the grand jury. He
said that when he came here Fri
day he found the jury inquiry "un-
usual"
He was not allowed to testify Fri
day and went home to discover
press announcements that he had
requested delay to discover new
evidence. He had made no such
request of Oliver M. Loomis. new
district attorney. and former secre-
tary to Senator Arthur R. Robinson,
but said he did have a most in
te resting conversation"
Hicks declared Loonlis told him
that Rozelle had quit business and
then asked Hicks If he would be sat
isfied If Rozelle we're permitted to
quietly retire. Hicks said he replied
that he was not the one to be salts
fled, and that restitution to victims
should be made If the business was
dishonest.
Unusual Says Hicks
1.-THE whole procedure IS most un-
usual" said Hicks. I'm other cases
postal inspectors or other Govern
ment agents gather evidence. This
jury inquiry is made on request of
Rozelle, who has charge of the jury.
II have brought with me some
correspondence with Rozelle which
in itself should invite suspicion.
"One of the letters, written May
20, 1927, by Rozelle, protests that
when he bought the business he
hired lawyers and a former postal
employe to go over his literature and |
made some changes to keep within !
the law.
when a man engages in ordi-
nary business he does not have to
engage lawyer to tell him how to
keep within the law"
Went to WaIb Aid
In another letter, dated March /,
1927, Rozelle wrote to Hicks ex-
planning he was unable to keep an
appointment to explain his business
methods because "I was called by
Mr.. Walb to join him in Indianapo-
lis Thursday, and wish to assist if
I can in putting across Governor
Jackson and Mr.. Walbs program
during the last busy days Of the
Legislature"
Letters Of Hicks to Rozelle were
very few, but pointed. One of them
declared Hicks recalled a visit from
Rozelle with reference to your
fraudulent scheme. I told you then
that the one thing I could promise
you was that you were going to
stop"
"Rozelle advertised for women 70
work in their own homes" said
Hicks. "His literature held out |
hopes of big wages for painting |
pillow tops. 1t appealed to the most |
helpless and most pitiful.
Can Trace Names
Most of the money was sent by
postal money orders. The jury can
find the number and the names,
and discover how many pillow tops
Rozelle purchased from these
women"
There is nothing personal about
this.
IF there is politics in it I have
not introduced it. I am a Repub-
lican, but the dignity of our courts
and the integrity of the Govern
ment are most Important. Whether
the jury follows the clews I shall
give or not, I intend to pursue this
matter until there is definite ac-
ton"