The Wilmington morning star., 1947-11-01
AS Pegler Sees 1t
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER
Copyright. 1947, by King Features
Syndicate. Incl

WASHINGTON, Oct. 81 - Robert E.
Stripping, the chief Investigator of the
Thomas Committee on Un-American Ac-
~tivities, has reported that Mickey Rosner,
an underworld emissary, called at the
committees office on Sept. 81 to try to
arrange a "fix" so that Louis B. Mayer,
of Metro -Goldwyn = Mayer, would be *
cused from testifying about the influence
of Communist writer's and actors in Holly
wood.
The first approach was a call from the
office of Senator Thomas, of Oklahoma,
a Democrat and a New Dealer. Stripping
reported to his chairman, Congressman J.
ParneIl Thomas, of New Jersey, a Repub-
lican, that a woman's voice arranged the
interview and that Rosner soon appeared.
He introduced himself as Mickey Rosner
and established the fact that he did come
from Mr.. Mayer by presenting a letter
from the committee to Mayer informing
him that he must appear in Washington,
Oct. 20, to testify.
"Mr. Rosner then stated that Mr.. May
er really had no information and would
prefer not to appear" Stripping reported
in writing to the committee. "He stated
that Mr.. Mayer wanted to extend all pos
sible cooperation and felt that Edward
Mannix vice president and general mana
ger of M-G-M studios, would be the proper
person. They would be glad to see to it
that Mr.. Mannix appeared. Mr.. Rosner
stated that it would be embarrassing for
Mr.. Mayer to appear as a Republican
committee that he knew nothing about
the situation. According to Mr.. Rosner, he
didn't.
II advised Mr.. Rosner hat it was a
matter for the full committee and I could
do nothing about it. Mr.. Rosner stated that
he would be at the Shoreham hotel, apart
ment 8045."
Stripping, describing the interview with
Rosner, indicates that Rosner's manner
was that of a lobbyist and fixer and says
that on leaving, Rosner warmly assured
him that it would be most appropriate to
excuse Mr.. Mayer.
Stripping later was informed that Mr..
Mayer was actually sick at the thought of
appearing as a witness on the subject of
Communism in. Hollywood. in the presence
of a large turnout of actors and hack
writer's who have raised heckllng to an
art. Nevertheless on Monday, Oct. 20, he
did testify.
The Thomas committee made it's own
inquiry and was informed as follows:
morris Rosner was born 1897, Rou-
mania. Claims citizenship through natur-
a~lization of his father, New York public
schools. Employed as stenographer and
accountant to 1925. From 1925 to 1881 spe-
cial investigator for attorneys in New
York. In March, 1882. Rosner received
considerable publicity in connection with
Lindbergh kidnapping. Rosner had boosted
of his contacts in the underworld and
stated he could find out something about
the case at once if he could secure an
authorization from the Lindbergh family.
Subsequently, Rosner stated he would need
So, 500 to make proper contacts. This was
furnished. Obtained NO information of
value.
"Rosner appointed Chief of Police of
able derogatory newspaper publicity. Aft
err being ousted as chief, Rosner was
brought into court and tried for failure to
return his badge after resignation. Acquit-
ted on defense he had lost the badge.
Jan. 6, 1885, indicted Eastern district
(Brooklyn) on a charge of attempting to
obstruct justice in Federal court, convict
ed, sentenced one year and fined 1000.
March l., 1926, court of appeals reversed
the conviction and Rosner was dismissed.
"Rosner arrested Oct. 5, 1881, New York
police. Charge, grand larceny growing out
of stock sale fraud. Dismissed June 2,
1888.
"Rosner lived at the Shoreham hotel
approximately three years beginning early
in 1910. According to one rumor, Rosner
often bet as much as $4,000 on horses"
The New York Daily Mirror on Nov. II,
1894 reported disorder broke up the meet
ing of the Long Beach city council when
a "committee of several hundred" citizens
manding that the job of Chief of Police
be abolished to eliminate Rosner, ex-
punge a reflection on the character and
intelligence of the city, and save the tax
payers $4,000 a year. Three days later,
the Mirror ran an editorial congratulating
Long Beach on the acquisition of Morris
Rosner, ambassador extraordinary to the
UNDERWORLD as chief.
eve still remember his message from
those two great underworld detectives,
Spitale and Bitz, announcing that the Lind
bergh baby was alive and well, three days
before he was found dead in a spot where
he had been for many weeks" the Mirror
said.
Elmer Trey, recently retired coordinator
of investigating agencies OF the treasury.
whose men convicted Bruno Hauptmann in
the Lindbergh case, well Ros-
ner as m underworld person.
1 >telephoned Mr.. Rosner at the Shore
ham and he said "we' had been willing
to present Mr.. Mannix as a substitute
witness who would better know the truth.
He said Mr.. Mayer has been badly wor-
ried over the illness of a close relative.
Rosner used the term "we" several times
and explained that he was now employed
by M-GM. He formerly was employed as
a Washington adviser by the Motion Pic
ture Producers" association. He acknoWl-
edged that the telephone call to Stripping,
preparing his way, came from Senator
Thomas office. He was proud to say also
that Senator Thomas held him in so
friendly regard as to give him a note to
the committee intended to get him a re-
served seat at the hearings.
On presenting this to Chairman Thomas,
the congressman, however, Mr.. Rosner
was told that he would have to lake MS
chances in the scramble.
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