Evening star., 1949-02-27

LIldt AllSLlt 1ldFC UCCI1 SOI1oI4 uCS
as a threat during or after the
board session.
The check came into the case
when police were notified that g
colored man tried to pass it yes
terday morning at the Hollywood
Credit Clothing Co., 703 Seventh
street NV, in an unsuccessful
effort to get a $22.40 suit. The
check, on the Second Nationa.
Bank, bore yesterdays date. Mrs
Ransom said her husband had nc
account in that bank.
Mrs. Ransom, who reported hel
husband missing Friday, said she
received a call from the clothing
company asking for approval of 9
check presented at the store by
James Smith" She went to the
store and found that the signature
Leon Ransom" on the $72.8s
check bore no resemblance to hel
husbands handwriting. Moreover
it did not have Mr.. Ransom's mid
die initial "a" which he always
used in signing checks, she said
Man Quizzed by Police.
Mrs. Ransdn late last night re-
ceived a telephone call from a
man who said his name was James
Smith and asked If she would see
him. She notified police who went
to. the Ransom home and ques-
toned the man when he arrived
The 50-year-old man was re-
leased after denying any connec-
ton with the check passing at
tempt or any threats that might
have been made against Mr.. Ran
som, police said He explained he
had called Mrs. Ransom after
reading about the check incident
and wanted to clear himself OF
all possible suspicion.
Mrs. Ransom said she was not
alarmed when her husband tolc
her Wednesday night that he had
been threatened. She declared he
had received some threats Severa,
years ago in connection with anti
discrimination work in Tennessee
Hopes for News Soon.
Following the conference with
four policemen from No. II pre-
cinct station last night Mrs. Ran
som said they did not indicate
what progress was being made in
the search for her husband. She
added, however. that she had rea-
son to hope for some news to-
morrow"
The man who had offered the
check and said his name was
James Smith when he Endorsed
1t in the presence of Mrs. M
3. Mack, credit manager, walked
out Of the store while Mrs. Mack
was telephoning Mr.. Ransom
office.
The address on the Smith" in
dorsement and on draft card and
social security "identifcations
produced by the man was in the
1000 block of Maryland avenue
S.W. The Star learned that the
James Smith, former construc-
ton worker. who lived their died
four years ago.
Hospitals Are Checked.
While the police check squad
studied the forged check, others
in the Missing Persons Bureau
kept in touch with private hos.
pitals on the chance that Mr.
Ransom might have suffered ar
injury or developed amnesia. That
investigation and similar inquiries
at public hospitals found no trace
of the missing attorney.
Mrs. Ransom said her HUSBAND
had been in i'll health and some
times was extremely nervous. witt
severe headaches. Others sale
they believed he might have hae
financial worries. particularly be-
cause he often handled civil right!
cases without asking or receiving
fees.
Mr.. Ransom apparently had lit
tie if any money with him Thurs
day morning, Mrs. Ransom said
She said she learned he borrowed
q small sum from friend to helr
pay a fee for filing papers ir
Municipal Court.
The man who tried to pass the
check at the clothing store was
described as being between 80 ane
40 years old, about five feet II
inches tall. and weighing between
Il6O and ITO pounds, Mrs. Mack
said he looked like a laborer.
Written on the check offered t.
the Seventh street store were th'
words "for two weeks work II
February, 1949" Mrs. Ransom
said as far as she knew her hus
band had not hired any lahore,
during this period.
Lost Identification Cards.
Mrs. Ransom recalled that he,
husband lost his wallet with hi
drivers permit and some identi
fcation cards 10 days ago. Sinc'
then. she said, he has been uslnt
his daughters wallet with he
identification in it as we'll as hi
own.
From Mrs. Ransom and friends
of the missing man. this accoun
of Mr. Ransom movements OF
Wednesday night and Thursda!
morning was pieced together:
| Wednesday night, he appeared
before the meeting of the executive
board of the Hod Carriers ant
Building Laborers Union. Mr. ant
Mrs. BroWnAlater drove him to hi
home at 1912 Girard street NE
The next morning, Thursday
| d. l1f lAry e-{S