The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1942-07-25
Roland Hayes

gripped him by the belt OF his
trousers, dragging him backward
10 the store. The frightened daugh-
ter. still clutching her fathers arm.
began screaming.
lis this him." the policeman
asked the shoe clerk.
That's the man. but It was the
~ench who cursed me and called
me an old Hitler the clerk
whined.
My wife didn't curse you" Mr..
Hayes asserted, witnesses said in
describing the sidewalk scene.
Before MI. Hayes finished his re-
marks. a big fst smashed into his
face. knocking him 10 the sidewalk.
Two other policemen quickly APP
peased and pounced upon the noted
artist. who is OF slight build.
Throwing his hat over his face. as
II 10 hide his identity. they began
pommelling him on the groupd.
Mrs. Hayes ran from the store
and began begging the officers not
TO modest her husband any fur
iher.
The driver OF the patrol wagon
which arrived on the scene came
up. Two OF the officers grabbed
the badly bruised singer by mis-
clothing and dragged him 10 the
vehicle Lifting him bodily. they
threw him head first onto the floor.
Another policeman quickly Nound-
ed up Mrs. Hayes and the daugh-
ter and PUT them in front. Two
policemen got into the back and
pounced on the helpless figure OF
one OF the greatest tenors the
world hie ever known.
Wrenching his arms backward.
they clamped handouts across his
wrists. Another sat straddle acI oss
his body. while the second began
brutally beating him in the face
with his fsis.
The daughter kept screaming.
drowning out the heart-breaking
sobs OF the badly frightened wife.
The biz driver shouted. III you
don't shut up III give you some OF
the same thing"
Arriving at the city hall in which
Is located the jail, the Hayes were
sudeiy hustled to the lower floor
cells and stuffed into hole with
another occupant. The daughter
was left seated in the corridor.
Mr.. Hayes chauffeur came 20 the
cell window and was told TO frd
out how much bond was wanted
and what were the charges. Re-
turning 10 the police chiefs office,
he was told the bond would be $50.
s25 for each prisoner. The chaut-
feur was turned down when ne
asked for the release OF the little
daughter.
After slightly more than two
hours. the jailer came down aud
told the couple the chief wanted
10 see them.
you know I've been talking with
the FBl about what your wife
said. the chief began. and they
tell me II she had just said 1t an
other way the government would
make a case against her.
Il see you have some caeh.' the
chief continued, holding up Mr..
Hayes billfold. which had BEEN
taken by police before he had been
locked up, But I've looked YOU up.
You can save your cash. Just give
NE check for the $50.
The bond made. the famed singer,
his. face badly swollen and suffer
ing severe pain in his back. ac-
companed by his wife and daugh-
ter. walked from the Rome jail
Runners were being whispered
about Rome Tuesday that the po-
lice chief during the interim when
the Hayes we're In jail had called
long distance 10 contact Gov. Tai
madge. reaching him at the state
capitol.
Il haven't got time TO be both
cred now the state chief exevu-
tive was quoted as replying. You'll
have TO handle It up there by you
self"
Efforts are being made by prom
inent Rome city officials and bnsi-
nessmen TO have the whole matter
hushed up. The check given by the
famous singer for bond was nys-
teriously returned uncancelled.
When the case came up for trial
Monday, no one appeared for the
prosecution and It was indefinitely
postponed. Many in Rome are Civ
ing odds that II will never come TO
trial. The charges, II was later
discovered. we're the usual blanket
"dlsofderly conduct"
Meanwhile neither. Mr.. Hayes
nor his wife would discuss possible
action. Just what steps he will take
10 secure redress for his humiliat-
ing experience have not been an
nounced. The proprietor OF the
shoe store. the clerk. and the pc
licemen. It Is said. are fearful that
damage suit might be instituted
Negro citizens expressed The
opinion that ii was the most dis
turbing that had ever happened 10
the delicately balanced racial re-
lations in this North Georgia COM
e....rft.,