New Britain herald., 1929-05-09
MICAbH FREED 0fLlQU0R CHARGE
ky Xst My Finds Coaelssr
 mn ho Guilty
JURY CAME IN AT | \. N.

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 Graasm, Michaeisoa's Brother-ia-
 Law Who Claiaaed the Trunks.
 Key West, Fla. May M-Repre- sentative M. Alfred Michaelson of Illinois was free today of charges that he brought liquor. into this country from Cuba but his brother in-law. who admitted ownership of the trunks containing the contra- band, faced trial on the same charEes
 Michaelson was acquitted early this morning by . federal jury on two counts ef an indictment charg- tng importation of liquor and its transpertat,on from Key West to Jacksonville. The jury came in at f:l0 |. m.
 w. o. Hughes. acting federal dis trict attorney announced shortly after Michaelson's acquittal, that he will bring the same charges against Walter Gramm. . Chicago coal dealer and Michaelson's brother-l,- law who from the witness stand yes- terday claimed the trunks which leaked liqucr in a station In Jack sonville and brought the indictment of Michaelson.
 The trunks came through the cus- toms at Key West without inspec- tion through 'courtesy of the port" granted the congressman.
 Grasmm 'sThe Fan Guy'
 Prosecution attorneys repeatedly have termed Gramm ''the fall guy ' in the case, and while he himself stood on his constitutional rights when asked at Michaelson's trial re- garding the possession of the liquor alleged to have been contained in the trunks, government attorneys t.- clare that since he has assumed the responsibility he will be prosecuted accordingly.
 When told of the verdict in his case early today. Congressman Michaelson expressed great happi- ness, declaring that ''the verdict bore out my original statement"
 To Bring Case Against Gramm
 "The ordinary man ought to know that the government officers have done their duty" was the only com. ment offered on the verdict by As- sistant Attorney General J. M. Nor rjsOn.
 "As part of the baggage seized in Jacksonville which contained ji- quor was ciaimed by Walter Gramn.. charges will be preferred against him and his arrest sought before he leaves tho stA&e."
 It was not known early today whether Gramm still was in Key West. He was not present at the courthouse when the Michaelson ver- dict was read.
 It was Assistant Attorney General Morrison who in his address before the Michaelson jury termed Gramm as the fall guy" who, he said, was brought down here from Chicago to take the blame"
 Gramm testified that the six trunks seized at Jacksonville be- longed to him and Lester E. Rein of Chicago, who were members of the Congressman's party in returning from Panama and Cuba. Rein did not testify at the trial, however.
 Alfred Ofte6al, assistant commis- sioner of prohibition, testified at the trial yesterday that Michaelson had come to him six days after the trunks were seized to find out what was going to be done with his bag gage. The congressman asked if he would have to go to see Ogden Mills, the nnder-secretary about his case.
 The assistant commissioner said he had agreed to release the trunks to the customs officials after the li- quor was removed and that he in- structed the Jacksonville office by telegram to that effect.
 Oftedal said Michaelson had told him he was returning from d party to Cuba and that the baggage coll tained valuable clothing belonging to his wife.