Evening star., 1946-07-12

been brought to light, because it
once and for all relieves me of the
persecution and attempted black
mail by certain people who have
been endeavoring for several years,
under threat, to expose my past life
and now at least 1 am free of the
shackles of persecution"
Pressed on that point, Fields said
he didn't pay any blackmail but
l was threatened" He said only one
person was involved but he wouldn't
like to say who it was at this time.
No, he had not complained to the
police.
Reporters also fastened on the
point in his statement where he
said he was proud of the circum-
stances which sent him to prison
He was proud, he said, that Il didn't
involve anybody else as I was asked
to do Yes, he admitted, he had
ia ken the rap"
AS for the Fields Foundation
Fields plan to rehabilitate former
convicts which Federal Prison Direc-
tor James V. Bennett has described
as very improper shakedown"-
Fields said it was "one of the finest
organizations ever started for the
rehabilitation of penal inmates" but
that it was killed by professional
penologists."
Investigation Launched.
According to reports from Tulsa,
Okla, headquarters of the founda-
tion, Fields closed the foundation
and left town after the county at
torney launched an investigation.
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt was
member of the foundations board
of directors, Fields insisted. Mr..
Bennett has denied that Fields
did say, in answer to question,
that Mrs. Roosevelt resigned from
the board after six months.
Now that my past has been re-
vealed,' he announced, Il intend to
re-establish the Fields Foundation.
Paroled in 1888.
Fields had been paroled from
prison in 1888. After his sentence
was commuted, according to friends,
he resumed his social life, went to
work for an automobile sales firm
and started his foundation. He COL
lected $4,000 for the foundation,
he said, but every dime of that was
paid back"
He came to Washignton in 1941
because he had been here many
times and liked the place, he said.
From his office in the Peoples Life
Insurance building, he started max
ing contacts. He set himself up as
manufacturers representative to OBJ
tain Government contracts, as a.
public relations expert, promoter
and agent"
His associates say "he knows who
can produce and who can't: who's
got the money to back venture and
who hasn't"
His ventures have ranged from a
smoked turkey farm to fireproofng
fluid. According to his office he
sells a service-you know, hotel res
ervations, train accommodations
things like that" HIS own descrip-
ton is simply that he represents
firms and organizations" The firms
he represents are "a matter of con-
fldence of the Office.
Sold Beverly Beach Place.
Until he sold it not long ago, he
Kept an establishment at Beverly
Beach on the Chesapeake where, by
his own account, he did considerable
entertaining. Senator Thomas was
one OF those entertained. according
to Fields.
From a room in the Peoples Life
Building, he moved to the keystone
Building and his present luxurious
suite. From room in the Roosevelt
Hotel, he moved-after his marriage
to home estimated to have cost
S50,000 at 201 Kennedy drive, Ken
wood, Md. across the street from
the home of White House Press Sec
retary Charles G. Ross.
Friends say his rumpus room must
have cost $4,000 1t contains,
among other things, a built-in bar.
small-Size sidewalk cafe complete
with striped awning and ping-pone
table.
Although he drinks little and
smokes less, casual acquaintance
may receive boxes of 50-cent cigars
and imported crooks of whisky.
But one of his main stocks In /
trade-one that all his friends and
acquaintances hasten to MENTION
is his reputed friendship with Father
Flanagan of Boystown, Nebr.
Promoted Charity Game.
In November, 1943, Fields handled
the advance publicity, promoted and |
solicited donations for the charity
football game between the Gonzaga
team and the BoystoWn eleven,
Those who became involved in the
event say Fields paid for the hotel
luncheon at which Father Flanagan
was introduced to the press.
The list of donors and patrons for
the event was impressive, encom-
passing most of WashingtonS top
officials, members of Congress and
businessmen. Heading the COM
mlttee in charge of the event was
Senator Thomas of Oklahoma.
Fields denies he carries around
with him letter from Father
Flanagan Ito whom it may con-
Germ" giving Fields a buildup Mr.
O'Connell said he saw the letter in
Chicago.
On Fields Office wall is an auto
graphed picture of Father Flanagan.
bearing the inscription: With deep
est appreciation of your many kind
nesses. May God bless you always"
The date is December 2l, 1912.
Father Flanagan's name was drop.
ped into the conversation, even on
the Gay Fields, as agent" settled
the deal for Diplomat Properties /
Inc, which is proposing to build a
$20,000,000 hotel and community
project. Fields presented G. CAL
vert Bowie, representing the Corby
interests, with the $4,000 bank draft
for the down payment on 116 acres
along the Rockville pike and an
nounced he was stepping out. His
secretary, however, is reported to
have signed as secretary of the cor
Nora tim