Evening star., 1945-12-06
.CurIey Firm Sought
$4,000, Contract
From Reds, Court Told

Evidence that Engineers Group,
Inc, attempted to obtain a s16,000,-
600 shell contract from the Russian
government was laid before Dis
trict. Court jury today in the mail
fraud case involving five defend
ants who were identified with the
engineering concern.
Representative Curley, Democrat,
of Massachusetts, one time presi-
dent Of the group and now Mayor
elect of Boston.
Malcolm Leach, president of the
Glenwood Range Co., Taunton,
Mass, was recalled to the stand
today. He testified the reason he
never got back a IS 900 fee his COM
pany gave Engineers Group, Inc,
for obtaining contracts was that
the group was dissolved within six
months after the agreement. was
signed.
Told of Russian Contract.
Mr.. Leach testified he was told by
", CACSutltC VIC
president of the firm and one Of the
defendants, about a $4,000, 900 con-
tract for making shells for the Rus
sian government, involving a $4,000,-
600 commission.
According to Mr. Leach, Mr.. Fuller
said Engineers Group was to get
81 100000 of the commission as
fee Mr.. Leach said he did not take
a shell-making job because he felt
the commission expenses were ex-
orbitant. He said he was never
rendered contracts for stoves for
war housing, as his company desired.
The Government introduced in
evidence, as the basis for the sew
enth count in the indictment,
letter written by Mr.. Fuller to Mr..
Leach. This letter said the group
had daily bank balance of 81 900
in the National Metropolitan Bank
here and $4,000 on deposit in the
Pilgrim Trust Co., Boston. The let
ter said further the group had deal
ings with Kalunite, Inc, of Salt
Lake City, in connection with pro-
ducing aluminium, and with the
Reynolds Metal Co., Richmond, Va;
the Eisemann Magnetic Corp, New
York and the Buda Engineering Co.,
Harvey, Ill.
Received Vague Replies.
Mr.. Leach said he wrote some of
the references but received vague
replies concerning the group.
Cross-examined by Defense Coun-
sci William E. Leahy, Mr.. Leach
said the 5000 his company turned
over to the Group was a retainer
fee. He conceded the Group was
under business expenses just like
any other concern. He said he Wis
tied the Groups offices here, but
they did not appear "f1ashy" or "a
'front.'" but were ordinary offices,
although somewhat small.
Mr.. Leach said Mr.. Fuller super
vised the preparation of a brochure
on the Glenwood plant. The wit
ness said he understood copies were
sent to Army and Navy officials.
Mr.. Fuller said that the shells
were to be contracted for by Amtorg,
purchasing commission for the Rus
sian government, and it demanded
$500, 900 commission, Mr.. Leach
testified. Had the contract gone
through, his firm was to get
$12, ,000, 900, the witness said.
Rejected Red Contract.
Engineers Group, Inc, sent an
ordnance expert to look over his
plant and officials spent a whole
day discussing the proposed contract,
but decided to reject it, Mr.. Leach
said. The reason was twofold-his
plant had insufficient equipment for
that type of contract and he felt
the commission was too high, MIR.
Leach declared. He conceded that
Mr.. Fuller appeared to be making
sound efforts to earn the 5000 re-