Evening star., 1949-03-24
Pyramid CIubber Charges Police
Are HoIdinq His Money Illegally
Continued From First Page.)

ICON LlnueQ FIOIIl r 81 IdSc.'
bricklayer who lives at 81 Hawaii
avenue NE. was indicted by the
grand jury Monday. He is due
to be arranged tomorrow.
The indictment charged him
with promoting lottery. referred
to and called a Pyramid Club"
Mr.. Thomas counsel contendec
that Pyramid Clubs have never
been defined by the courts ane
therefore the operation of
Pyramid Club and Mr.. Thomas
part in it should have been spelled
out in the indictment.
Todays motion asked that the
indictment be dismissed or that
better bill of particulars be pro-
vided and the evidence suppressed
Money Not Returned.
In an affidavit filed with the
motion, Mr.. Thomas told this
story:
At about 8 pm. on March IL
he was accosted by 1t. Roy Blick
head of the vice squad, and taken
to police headquarters.
At that time. he was searched
and papers and money were taken
from him.
He was questioned for about
three hours on the activities OF
pyramid clubs. After that. he was
photographed and fingerprinted
He was not told at any time
during his detention at headquar-
ters that any criminal charge had
been placed against him.
AS he left headquarters. he was
handed a paper instructing him
to report the following Monday
at the assistant United States at
torney's Office but no bond was
taken to insure his presence.
When he was handed these
instructions, he asked police te
return his personal papers and
money but the request was re-
fused.
Held for "Investigation."
George j. Boden, who is as
sociated with Denis K. Lane ano
Edward E. O'Neill in representing
Mr.. Thomas, also filed a sworn
statement. He said the police
arrest ledger shows Mr.. Thomas
was booked at $50 pm. on March
IL for investigation" and was
released at 1890 am. on
March 13.
The record, he said, showed nc
entry in the space provided fol
listing evidence or for indicating
bond.
Mr.. O'Neill said the court will
be asked tomorrow to hear argu-
ments Immediately on the motion
He pointed out. however. that the
Government has five days to an
swer the motion If it wants that
much time.
Mr.. Thomas indictment brought
loud cries of protest from Pyramid
Clubbers and prompted 1t. Blick
to declare war on the clubs. The
next day, however, Police Supt
Robert j. Barrett said complaints
would be investigated, but there
would be no mass arrests.
Fay Answers Queries.
Today, United States Attorney
George Morris Fay said he would
act on Pyramid Club cases only
where they are properly" brought
to his attention.
That was his answer to querie:
about letters sent to his Office
demanding prosecution Of various
public officials for their alleged
participation in the get-rich'
quick scheme.
I'VE present cases to the grane
jury" he said. only when the
Police Department brings us cases
where the facts warrant prosecu'
ton or where complainant
swears to sufficient facts to permit
us to go forward.
To Follow Normal Procedure.
He said he had not received
any such sworn complaints and
the Police Department has for
warded no cases since Mr.. Thomas
was indicted.
1--WE are not going to treat
Pyramid Club cases any different
i ly than we treat other violations
of the law" Mr.. Fay declared
I'VE are going to follow normal
procedures"
Meanwhile. there were these de-
velopments:
/. Alexandria police reported
that Ladder Clubs"-anothel
variation on chain letters-seen