Evening star., 1941-11-05
Counsel Begin Final
Arguments in Trial
OF BioH, Browne
Month Long Testimony
Ends in Case Involving
Movie Extortion Charge

ES the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. Nov. 5.-TeStimony
was completed today in the month
old trial of George E. Browne and
William Bioff. theatrical labor lead
ers accused by the Government of
eXtortlng S550.000 from major mo-
ton picture producers on threat of
shutting down theaters all over the
country.
Defense Attorney George NJ. BreS-
lin immediately began summing up
his case for Biof, personal repre-
sentative of Browne, president Of
the A. F. LIS International Alliance
of Theatrical and Stage Employees
For four weeks a parade of wit
nesses testified to rela tionshipS be-
tween the industry and the labor
leaders. Among them were many of
HollyWoOd'S biggest induStrialistS.
who testified for the Government
Peace Price Cited.
Initial prosecution witnesses teSti-
fed Bioff originally demanded 81
100000 from four major producers
as the price for peace in the indus
try. Later. it was testified Biof
reduced this demand to $4,000 a
year from each Of the fOur-TWen-
tieth Century-FoX Paramount,
Warner Bros. and LoeWs. mc-and
$4,000 year each from smaller
producers.
Executives of the four companies
testified they gave Bioff money as a
peace offering. Bioff took the stand
and denied their assertions. Browne
did not testify.
The final defense witness was Jo-
seph H MoskoWitz. eastern repre-
sentative of Twentieth Century, Fox
Films. who was questioned relative
to 1887 stock purchase of $202 837
by Joseph Schenck, former board
chairman for Twentieth Century
Fox.
Jack Rabin, a broker, previously
testified that Schenck purchased the
stock and later transferred il to the
accounts of Mr MoSkoWitz and Muir
ray Carson, one-time investigator
for the congressional committee
which investigated the movie in
dustry and receiverships within the
industry from 1884 to 1887
Loan Is Discussed.
Michael Luddy, Bloffs lawyer,
showed Mr.. MoskoWitz entries in
Schenck's New York account book.
which the witness said he kept for
Schenck. One entry. dated Novem-
Der 4. 1887 showed Loaned to NJ
and Carson, S202 $3.50"
The witness explained that the
Item represented loan to himself
and Carson, under a collateral loan
agreement. and that it represented
stocks purchased by Schenck through
Mervin, Ash &; Co. stock brokers'
Who is MI. Garsson?" asked Mr
Luddy.
"A friend of MI Sch.nck, replied
the witness
DO you know anything else about
him?"
Very little, sir.
Mr.. Moskowitz said that Mr..
Garssons end Of the loan trans
action represented 5000 shares of
stock. costing Sl30000, which we're
delivered to Carson. Endorsed in
blank by him and returned to
Joseph Schenck.
Stock Sold at Loss.
He said the stock later was sold
at a loss and the proceeds given to
SchenCk
Did he take a loss on his income
tax return?" asked MI. Luddy
mo. sir replied MI Moskowitz.
During further questioning the
witness testified that he had not
read about Mr.. Carson in 1886 or
1887 in connection with the con-
eression2l inquiry and that he knew
nothing about an inquiry into any
subsidiary corporations Of Fox Films
In connection with the 1885 merger
of 10th Century Corp and Fox Film
Co.