The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-04-30
Governors and Gangsters
by a Worker Correspondent

GOVERNOR ROLPH, who few days ago re-
fused to pardon Tom Mooney. knowing that
he is innocent, has put himself out to the extent
of writing to Governor Bruckner Of Michigan in
behalf Of a gangster and finally refusing extradi-
ton of said gangster. Now when governors do
that, they do not do it without reason Who is
this gangster that Governor Rolph became so
interested in?
The Detroit Times of February 10th states.
Frank WysocH. former Detroit gangster and
escaped convict, has been exonerated by Cali
fornia authorities and is now held on request
of extradition by Michigan officials
Starting life anew in Los Angeles, WysocJd
has been going straight He had no
police record, according to Los Angeles author
tiles. In view of his exemplary life, Governor
James RoIph of California has petitioned Cow
ernOr Bruckner for Wysockis pardon.
"Wysocki was arrested in Los Angeles re-s
Gently for assault with a deadly weapon after
an automobile accident
I'm Detroit, during 1920 and 1921 Wysockj
was leader of powerful holdup gang. He was
arrested seven tines convicted in 1921, and
sentenced to ~ to Is years in the House of
Correction Other members of his gang
have since been sentenced to Marquette or
Jackson prisons"
Tile Detroit News OF February 25th states:
Governor Bruckner is willing to withdraw
his request for extradition of Frank Wy
scchi
"Wysocki one time Detroit gang leader, who
escaped from the Detroit House of Correction
in 1929, was arrested December 81 in Los
Angeles, where he was living as JOrie T.
Medqueaux Gov. Rolph Jr. of California, has
interceded in Wysocki's behalf, pointing out
that he has heen a law ahidino reSnectaH
citizen for ten years
he has been employed by automobile
insurance and finance company :"
The Detroit Times of February % informs u.
that
Suicide of jackson prison inmate may
block Wysocki's fight for freedom
Admitted leader of what was then Detroit's
most vicious bandit gang Wysocki was serving
~ to Is years for breaking and entering He
turned states evidence against his pals four
of whom were sentenced to Is to 80 years
each.
Leo Brandon, one Of the four committed
suicide three months ago in Jackson. When it
was reported Califorr.a authorities impressed
by Wysocds reputedly honest record for the
ten years he was fugitive, had asked Nichi-
gan TO drop the charges against him, woman
giving the name of Alya Brown visited the
been in hOldup five years ago.
"Wysocki turned squealer and sent my
brother to prison. where he committed suicide"
the woman said.
Finally, the Detroit Times about a month later
published the report that Governor Rolph has
denied the extradition request
While we not interested in the history of
WySocki as SUCH perhaps it would be interesting
to know how come that Gov. Rolph, while re-
fusing to pardon Mooney has taken such a
paternal interest in Wysocki, the gangster, who
squealed on his own pals in an effort to save
his own skin; who managed to escape clean"
from the House OF Correction Jail break, while
all OF the others who broke out with him were
promptly recaptured?
What connection is there between Gov. Rolph
and gangster Wysocki? How come that Wy
socki has SO quickly gained so much influence
that Gov. Rolph ntercedes ON his behalf with
Gov, Bruckner who in turn expresses his willing.
ness to oblige Gov. Rolph? Does Wysocki know
too much about Gov. Rolph or his henchmen,
or is he thus being rewarded for some service
to the California authorities?
Another significant fact is that Wysocki alias
Jorie T. Medqueaux, was reported to be en-
ployed by an automobile insurance and finance
company Insurance agents do not as a rule
punch time clocks and are more or less free in
their movements, often using their Job as a
mask for spying activities against the labor
movement. Perhaps that is the way in which
Wysocki earned" the gratitude Of Gov. Roph
and his cohorts
We do not expect Gov. Rolph to tell us why he
is SO interested in freeing Wysocki while he keeps
Mooney in Jail. But we do know that governors
do not become so deeply interested in gangsters
who have done nothing more important to them
than Just gone straight Il. i, ,~rsfy. a frw..1