The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-07-24
BRAND IS UNTRUE
CLAIM ANNOUNCER
WAS EXTORT|0N|ST
Detroit Newspaper Says Police
Commissioner Admits Earli-
or Charge Was False

Detroit, July 24.-(P-The Detroit
News says that Police Commissioner
Thomas c. Wilcox. admitted today
that his statement that he has an
affidavit accusing Jerry Buckley,
slain radio announcer of receiving
$4,000 from a racketeer is false.
Buckley was political commentator
for station WMBC and had taken an
active part in the successful campaign
to recall Mayor Charles Bowles. He
was slain in the lobby Of the La Sale
hotel. where he lived and in which
the radio station Is located, two and
a half hours after he made the an
nouncement that the mayor had been
recalled from office in Tuesday spe-
cial election.
His brother, Paul, former assistant
prosecutor, declared "Jerry's" activity
in the recall was the sole reason" for
the Staying. Police advan led other
theories-that he had made gangland
enemies through his attacks on gam
blers, that he was witness of a gang
Staying, that he might have been ex-
torting money from gamblers and
bootleggers.
Jerry" Buckley championed the
cause of the unemployed last winter
when thousands were In distress. He
broadcast pleas for aid. directed pro-
grams Of cheer to them and, accord
ing to intimate friends. spent all his
savings in responding to personal re-
quests for money. His efforts In their
behalf him friendship Of the
poor.
Accused Of Extortion
In an announcement today Wilcox
lad D. sthAt he had a Svorn state
ment from IN admitted bootlcgger
accusing Buckley of ~extortion. Will
cox also said that the police were in
vestigating an assumed possible on
nection with the underworld as one
of several theories for the Staying.
The name Of the accused va with
held. The affidavit said that Buck
ley had induced him to take up liquor
running. After he became connected
with a prosperous bootlegging gang,
the affidavit said, Buckley demanded
and received sums aggregating $4,000.
Commissioner Wilcox is scheduled
to appear before the city council to-
day with a report Of progress In solv-
ing the city's latest and most sensa-
tional Staying by gangsters. There
were indications that the commits
sioner's resignation would be asked II
that report did not convince the
council that progress is being made.
Wilcox promised the most thorough
cleaning the city has ever seen and
at the edge of the city the state police
post has been augmented by all men
available from other posts to assist
In the cleanup.
The reward offered for the capture
and conviction Of Buckley's slayers
was increased to $500 today by the
offer If $2,500 by the Detroit Times.
Ninety-seven men were arrested
and questioned by police last night
in a drive against gangsters. They
were taken into custody at a minia-
ture golf course.
Police later announced the arrest
Of three suspects who were trailed by
Detroit detectives and state police
and taken into custody near Ann Ar
Dor. Mich. Police said they had
heard the men knew something
about the case"
The suspects were registered as
Frank Lipore. Riverside. Mich, AID
Frank Forestieri and Anthony Mus
nesski, both Of Benton Harbor, Mich.
Says Charge Shameful
Robert Oakman, 70-year-old mil
lionaire builder and politician. came
to the defense Of Buckley today.
Oakman, found by reporters cruis-
ing on his yacht in Canadian waters,
denounced characterizations Of Buck
lev as a racketeer and blackmailer
and called him a sincere foe Of the
underworld interests he opposed in
his talks from station WMBC
He called statements Of the police
commissioner and others, linking
Buckley with underworld activities
and representing him as receiving
money from crooks, shameful in
nuendo against a man who bore on
his breast the weight Of q fight for
a clean city,"
Jerry Buckley" Oakman said, las
far as his radio business was con-
cerned should be judged by what he
advocated v the microphone."
Oakman helped to elect Charles
Bowles mayor last fall, then broke
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