Evening star., 1941-11-12
Bioff and Browne
Get Prison Terms,
$4,000 Fines
Pair Sentenced on Two
Counts for Extortinq
$780, 900 From Movies
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. Nov l2.-Federal
Judge John c. Knox TODAY sentenced
William C. Bioff to 10 years in prison
and a $4,000 fine and George E.
Browne TO eight years and $4,000
for violation of the Federal anti
racketeering law
Browne. former president Of the
International Alliance of Theatrical
Stage EMPLOYEES "a. F. L.. and Bioff
his personal representative. were
convicted of extorting about $550000
from the motion picture industry
The Government charged they
had used their labor leadership to
ex ort large sums on threat OF strike
They were convicted last week on
an indictment Of three counts. the
first two Of which charged violation
Of the Federal anti-racketeering law
and the third conspiracy.
Sentenced on Two Counts.
Judge Knox sentenced Bioff to 10
years on each count, the sentence on
the second to run concurrently with
that of the flrst. He suspended
sentence on the third. placing Bioff
on parole for 10 years after he serves
his time.
The court sentenced Browne to
eight years on each OF the nrSt
two counts. the sentences to run
concurrently. As in the case OF
Bioff he suspended sentence on the
third count and placed Browne on
parole for eight years.
Both men were dressed smartly
and showed little emotion at the
sentencing beyond a slight flush.
Bioff, heavy-set and short, stared
mostly at the floor and rubbed his
hands across his face several times.
Browne Replaced by Union.
Browne. who was replaced only
several DAYS ago as president of the
I. A. T. S. E.. let his eyes wander
around the courtroom. rarely resting
them for more than a moment at
any single object.
The four week trial saw a parade
of top-ranking movie executives to
the witness stand to testify of pay
ments made as the price of labor
peace in the industry.
The jury deliberated two hours
before bringing in a verdict which
the court said will let lot of fresh
air into union halls throughout the
country"
Before imposing sentence, Judge
Knox said:
Right between the eyes, and upon
the fact of union labor. these men
have dealt a blow that will leave its
scar for years to come. Recreant
to their trust. dishonest in heart
mind and action, these defendants
have served to make clear our
knowledge, that when personal gain
is to be achieved. the leaders Of labor
can be as reprehensible and base
as any dishonest leader Of capital
Human nature. wherever it is found
is about one and the same.
Recalls Those Who Trusted.
Upon that theory, I shall pass
judgment, trying of course. not to
be vindictive. At the same time. I
must recall the men and women who
trusted them, who believed in them
and who now are dismayed and dis
heartened that their cause stands
disgraced and dishonored.
THE soundness and Righteousness
OF the theory of union labor has not
entirely been lost, and by the SEN
tence I am about to impose upon
these defendants. I am hopeful that
the cause of union labor. may in
part, be redeemed. II this redemp-
ton should not now be brought
about. not only in defendants union
but In many others. then heaven
help the eaose q union Mbof."