Imperial Valley press., 1929-08-10
PANTACES HELD
ON COMPLAINT
OF YOUNG Girl
Accused Theatre Magnate
Declares Charges Are
'Blackmail.'

Alexander Pantages, millionaire
vaudeville circuit owner, was held
in the city Jail here today, charged
with statutory offense against a
pretty girl dancer.
Pantages protested that the story
told by II year old Eunice Pringle,
which led to his detention, was bas-
ed upon framcup. The stories
of both Pantages and Miss Pringle
were supported by witnesses.
The girl accused Pantages of at
tacking her when she went to his
office seeking employment. She said
Pantages invited her into his private
office and after some discussion
concerning booking suddenly seiz-
ed her. She said she screamed as
he threw her to the floor. Then she
tainted.
Fred Weise, who explained that he
was passing the building entrance,
told police that he was attracted
by the girl cries and ran up the
stairs and into the Pantages office.
Weise and Patrolman II. l..
Courtney, who was summoned, said
as they entered the office they
found Pantages on the floor with his
clothing disarranged, explaining to
several employees. The girl, the
men said, had her hair askew and
her dress torn.
"There's the beast,' they said
she cried as she pointed to the rising
vaudeville magnate.
Then the girl raced out the door
and down the hall, but Weise and
the officer stopped her.
''Blackma1' Says Magnate
At Juvenile Hall the girl told of
ficers she had been negotiating since
May l, with Pantages encourage
ment, to book her act.
Pantages' chief statement was eX-
clamation:
"Blackmail.
His story was that the girl had ap-
peared at his office several times
seeking work and that he had refus-
ed her. When he refused her yes
terday she tore her clothes, threw
herself at his feet and began to
scream, he said.
1 Employees of the theatre backed
Pantages' story and his secretary
Miss Rose Fowler, said that the door
between her office and Pantages
was open.
Miss Pringle was permitted to re-
turn home with her mother last
night, but will be examined by
juvenile department doctors today.
Pantages attempted to gain release
on bond last night, but Miss Pringle
had gone home and in the absence
of complaining witness nothing
could be done. The girl s mother,
Mrs. Irene Pringle, is teacher in
the Garden Grove school.
The theatres mans wife, Mrs.
Lois Pantages, is at liberty ON heavy
bond, awaiting her trial ON second
degree murder charges. Joe Roko-
moto, japanese, was killed and six
members of his family were serious
ly hurt, when his automobile was
struck by one driven by Mrs. Pan
tages. INVESTIGATION charges against
Mrs. Pantages were dropped.
Held Overnight
Pantages, who gave his age as 81
and birthplace as Greece, attempted
to be arraigned last night so that
he could secure freedom on bail.
His request was denied bul it was
expected that the arrai ignment
would take place today.
The theatre man claimed that
Miss Pringle, known on the stage as
Solito Deyo, had been Fostering him
for work for several months.
"a very simple case of black
mail he said i'm discussing the
girl S charges against him.
Policewomen said that Miss
Pringle was bruised in Il number
of places about the body.
The girl told Officers that Pan
tages invited her into his inner of
flee to discuss the possible book
ing of her act. Once there, she said,
he began to make advances which
she attempted to repulse, He graz
pied with her then and threw her
to the floor, she claimed.
Nine persons were taken to the
police station and detained as wit
nesses. The majority of them were
employees of Pautages who sup