Evening star., 1941-10-21
Film Executive Saws
Guards Protected
Him From Bioff
Labor Leader Extorted
$4,000, He Charges,
Denying Friendship
4y the Associated Press.


4y the Associated Press
NEW YORK, Oct. 21.-Two body
guards trailed his car, Movie Mag
nate Harry M Warner testified to-
day. because while he professed open
friendship for William Bioff, West
Coast labor leader, he feared bodily
harm.
Il considered Bioff as a man who
shook our company down for $780,
000, said Mr.. Warner head of War;
ner Brothers pictures. but as a
matter of good business, thought
1t better to remain on friendly terms
with him on the surface"
1t was Mr.. Warmers second day
on the stand in Federal court where
Bioff and George E. Browne, presi-
dent of the A F. L. International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage En-
ployes are on trial charged with ex-
producers in violation of the. Fed
eral Anti-racketeering Act.
Denies Friendship for Bioff.
Mr.. Warner previously testified
that his firm paid the defendants
100000 to avert strikes and bodily
harm. He said he was afraid 'of
what might happen to the business"
and to himself if monetary demands
made by Bioff were not met.
George Breslin, counsel for Bioff,
questioned Mr.. Warner in an at
tempt to establish that the witness
and Bioff were close personal asso-
ciates.
Mr.. Warner denied he had recon-
mended an eve doctor for Bioffs
wife He said he could not recall
having sent a formal invitation to
the Bioffs for the wedding of his
daughter in July. 1899, and he in
sisted. under questioning, that he
had never spent one minute in a
Jewish temple with Bioff as his
guest.
This was in response to a ques-
ton as to whether he invited Bioff
to attend temple ceremony on
Yom Kippur, 1887.
Mr.. Warner conceded having rec
commended to Bioff the purchase of
stock in the Hollywood Turf Club in
1887, but denied that Bioff had given
him check for $4,000, payable to
cash, to buy the stock, as suggested
by Mr.. Breslin's questioning.
Question Ruled Out.
At the completion of the cross
examination United States Attorney
Matthias F. Correa asked:
Were you at any time during the
period you knew Bioff fearful OF
bodily harm that he might visit
upon you?"
The question was ruled out by the
court on objections of defense coun-
sci
Did you take any precautions
against bodily harm that might be
visited upon you?" Mr.. Correa asked.
Defense counsel accused Mr.. Cor
rea of misconduct. but Judge John
c. Knox ruled that reply was per-
missible.
when I refused to give him any
Of the $4,000 said Mr.. Warner, re-
ferring to a final payment of the
company's 100000 which he testi-
fed he paid later, "and after the
strike at Columbia Studies, I went
to Blaine Mahews, head of our police
department, and told him I feared
that there may be trouble
Il told him Id like to get protec-
ton, and he suggested that two men
be assigned to follow my car and
this was done for about two weeks.
They followed me to see what might
happen"
Boys in Chicago" Mentioned.
Before Mr.. Warner took the stand
his brother, Maj. Albert Warner,
vice president and treasurer of the
company, testified he had turned
over to Bioff in 1885 and 1887 sums
totaling 100000 because he feared
"they would paralyze our business"
The Warmers testified that Bioff
ridiculed the payments as peanuts"
and Chicken feed" and that he once
told them:
'I only get small part of it. The
boys In Chicago get most of It," The
boys" were not further identified
Defense Counsel George Breslin,
cross-examining Harry Warner on
his testimony that ne feared bodily
harm" from Bioff, drew acknowl-
edgement from Mr.. Warner that he
customarily called the labor leader
willie" and had visited the farm
Bioff bought near the Warner ranch
IN San Fernando Valley.
When Mr. Breslin sought to learn,
however, whether Mrs. Warner called
Bioff Bill" Mr.. Warner snapped:
DO you really want to know what
Mrs. Warner called him?"
The attorney declined.
Then leave my wife out OF thisl"
Mr.. Warner said angrily.