Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-31
FRIGHTENED MAN
LEAPS OFF BRIDGE
Gangsters' Threats Drove
Him From Detroit to Capital,
He Tells Officers.

Terrified by threats of Detroit gang
sters, whom he said were going to put
him on the spot" If he didn't carry out
their plans, August Lozzi, 31-year-old
italian, who said he was from Bellaire,
Ohio, jumped from a support Of the
Highway Bridge yesterday afternoon.
Apparently changing his mind after
feeling the cold waters of the Potomac,
Lozzi eagerly grasped a rope thrown
him by bridge attendants and was
hauled to safety.
According to Kenneth Macdonald, 81,
taxi driver, of Seat Pleasant, Md, Lozzi
came running out of Union Station
about O'Clock yesterday evening, hailed
Macdonald's cab and told the driver
to find the nearest bridge" Mac
donald, while somewhat suspicious OF
the mans intentions, suggested the
Highway Bridge to Virginia. That's
good enough" Lozzi Is quoted as say
ing. "Step on it; I'm in q hurry and
don't want anybody to see me-"
Driver Describes Ride.
Macdonald drove toward the Virginia
span at a moderate speed, he said, with
Lozzi hunched up on the rear seat, cast
ing an occasional glance behind him.
When they reached the middle of the
bridge, Lozz called to stop, and Mac
donald did so.
Six dollars was offered in payment
for 95-cent fare; and when Macdon-
aid called attention to the fact that it
was an unnecessary waste of cash,
Lozzi said: That's all right. You can
use the money, and I won't need it
where I'm going. You can tell the
world that I was a Square-shooter."
Stripping OF his overcoat, before the
driver could intervene, Lozzi climbed
the railing and, climbing to one of the
supports of the draw Of the bridge,
jumped into the river.
Waterman Throws Him q Rope.
He Immediately came to the surface,
treading water, and Herbert j. Taylor,
GA Fourth street southwest, bridge
Waterman, threw rope in his direction.
Lozzi eagerly reached the line and Tay-
lor. with the aid of j. p. Comiskey of
the fourth precinct and J. o. Hite of
the Traffic Bureau, started to pull him
up. Halfway up, however, the rope
parted and Lozzi dropped back into the
river. Another rope was procured and
this time the rescuers Unanswered Lozzi
TO bridge support where he was hauled
to safety.
Macdonald, who had turned his cab
around during the excitement, drove
the 6hivertng man to the Emergency
Hospital, where he was given treatment.
Later he was removed 10 Galllnger
Hospital, where he Is being held for
mental observation under guard of De-
tective SergtS. Lawrence A. O'Dea and
Dennis Cullinane.
Tells Of Flight From Detroit.
After regaining his compoSure at
Emergency, Lozzi talked freely, claiming
that he had taken the first train out
| OF Detroit, where he Is EMPLOYED as an
expert metal f1nisher, to avoid q gang
that was going to bump me off," He
said he purchased ticket to Washing
ton after Detroit police had failed to
| listen to his story.
En- route to the Capital City, he said
he left the train when he discovered he
was being "trailed" and, after a short
lay-over, hoped" another. This time
he hid in a compartment, but when he
arrived at the Union Station he was
confronted by member OF the gang. u
| He said he was terroriZed at the fear
of being killed by this Detroit clan and
decided to take his own life, rather than
suffer further mental agony
Sunday traffic, which was near its
| peak when LoZzi made his leap, was
tied up on both sides of the bridge for
nearly is minutes by motorists who
parked their. cars to watch the rescue.
| Lozzi, while depressed, was reported
by Gallinger Hospital authorities today
to be resting we'll and suffering little
from exposure. According to police. he
Will be released from the hospital when
fully recovered.
BLAMES HALLUCINATIONS.