The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-15

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The first break in the solid
wall Of resistance The defend
ants have put up against the
government s charges came to-
day, when Louis Wyndt, Chi
cago engraver, charged with
having aided the alleged con-
spirators to get blank num-
Der plates with which to hide
identity of stolen cars, pleaded
guilty. He is the only defend
ant who has admitted guilt.
135 Witnesses on Stand
The government rested at 1910
a. n. after having put about l35
prosecution witnesses on the stand
since the trial started Tuesday.
The fifteen defense attorneys
filed separate motions asking dis
missal of the indictment, on the
grounds that the government had
not presented sufficient evidence
against any of the defendants.
Judge Robert G. Baltzell overruled
the motions and all took exceptions.
Plea for Wolf Sussman
Attorney George Barnard present
ed a special plea for Wolf Srssman,
local jeweler, declaring there had
been a particular lack of evidence
against him. He asked evidence of
checks given by Sussman to the
clothing firm of his son, Harry, and
Edward Traugott, also defendants,
be stricgen out. The money was
for use in the clothing business,
Barnard said.
"The money may have been used
to finance these cars, if Traugott
was dealing in these cars, Judge
Baltzell pointed out.
Jacob Wohlfeld took the stand in
his own defense, and told of the
events which led to purchase by his
son of one of the twenty stolen
cars, handled by the alleged ring,
state police and government agents
have recovered.
Wohlfeld told of meeting a man
who gave his name as Charles Med
calf, but whom he identified from
a picture as Leo Baldwin, one OF the
alleged theft ring leaders, at box
ing show.
Tells of Car Deal
The man came up to his fur shop
at 437 Occidental building a few
days later and left fur coat he
said was his wife's to be repaired,
Wohlfeld said. Later Medcalf, or
Baldwin, came back for the coat
and said he had lost lot of money
gambling and could not pay for
the repairs, unless he could sell
Wohlfeld his Cadillac coupe for
$4,000. If he would buy the car
Medcalf also offered to buy his wife
new fur coat he had been admir-
ing in the shop.
He inspected the car parked near
the statehouse. but because he al
ready had two cars he refused,
Wohlfeld said.
But he discussed the Cadillac
coupe with his son, Mortimer. Later
Medcalf returned and it was ar
ranged for Mortimer to give Med
calf $1,100, two new fur coats,
fox scarf and the repairs on the old
coat for the car, he said. He valued
the furs given in the transaction
at $915. Medcalf was given a check
for the $1,100 and the furs and they
we're given the car. he said.
Two days later Medcalf called
him up and asked for the Ohio
license plates on the car, he said.
He replied he would give Medcalf
the plates as soon as they got new
plates and a certificate of title, he
said.
Arranged for New Plates
Harold Libowitz, youth fatally
burned in the explosion and fire at
the West Washington street cloth
ing store of Edward Traugott and
Harry Sussman, Aug. 26, was sent
up by Medcalf to arrange for the
new plates, he said. Libowitz
brought up a paper, the transfer
of title application. which Mortimer
signed and brought back a title and
Indiana license. he said.
On s-examination by Albert
Ward. United States district attor-
ney, Wohlfeld said he had known
Traugott for twenty years. He iden-
titled checks for $125 and 500 made
out to him by the Edward Traugott
& Co.. but said they were checks he
had cashed for Traugott as he often
did. The checks were dated March
81 and 80. Earlier evidence had
shown the car purchase was on
March 8.
He said Medcalf or Baldwin, had