Evening star., 1950-05-26
AdonisCaIIed
|nStanlpDea|
Inquiry Here
Gambler Will Follow
Erickson in Probe
OF Ambrose Affair

ClOIlS were IlQQlQS OUT now gamDl-
ers make their money and also
how some of them lost a chunk
of their racket" profits in get
rich-quick stamp deals.
A Federal grand jury here
is summoning Acknowledgements
gambling figures in its investiga-
tion Of Harold F. Ambrose's $780,
600 stamp investment" trans
actions.
Joe Adonis, New York racketeer
Is due to testify next week. Frank
Erickson, self confessed multi
million dollar bookmaker, testified
yesterday.
Juries May Compare Notes.
Erickson is simultaneously un-
der investigation by grand jury
in New York, which has found
Adonis' name among his seized
records.
Since an important element of
false pretenses case, like the
other under investigation here, is
proof of the ownership of the
money, there was a strong posi-
bility that the New York and
Washington grand juries may find
themselves exchanging notes.
Whether Frank Costello, a third
bigtime operator of the gambling
world, will join the grand jury
parade here depends on testimony
OF forthcoming witnesses, Justice
Department officials indicated.
Adonis Accepts Subpoena.
Authorities disclosed that Adonis
has accepted service of a sub
poena calling him before the
panel at an undisclosed date next
week.
Erickson. the object of close
scrutiny by the Senate Crime
Investigation Committee, spent
nearly As minutes in the juryroom
yesterday. He was ACCOMPANIED
from New York by Attorney Sol
Gelb. a prosecutors assistant
there when Gov. Dewey was dis
trict attorney.
The pair arrived yesterday
morning. requesting that Erickson
be permitted to testify at a secret
session as soon as possible. 50
that he might leave town at an
early hour.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney John w. Fihelly ushered the
gambler in as first witness. At
about II am. he was excused
awaiting possible recall at a fu-
ture date. Erickson and his law
yer then promptly left for New
York, a prosecution assistant said
he understood.
Earlier DenialS Recalled.
The summoning of gambling
klngpins in the investigation of
Ambrose, who resigned under
pressure last January IL as a
special assistant to the Postmaster
General. came despite earlier de-
mails by postal officials that gam
blers were involved in the scheme.
Last February. one Post Office
authority declared such reports
were irresponsible" These hinted
that Joe Adonis lost more than
100000 by investing for himself
or friends in Ambrose's plan to
buy large amounts of special-issue
stamps for later resale at SO per
cNlt profit.
Erickson apparently came into
the picture on the strength of the
possibility that he may have been
counted as one of Adonis'
friends" in the first circulated
reports in the Ambrose case.
With the May 2 seizure of rec
ords in Erickson's New York Of
flee, the Senate committees in
vestigation into Nation-w wide crime
has concentrated on seeking a tie
in among Erickson, Costello,
Adonis and other gambling rack
eteers.
Kefauver Consults Hogan.
Chairman Kefauver of the COM
mittee has consulted with New
York District Attorney Frank Ho-
gan. The committees chief coun-
sci, Rudolph HALEY, made flying
visit to New York earlier this week
A grand jury there already is
Investigating Erickson's activities
The gambler admitted to another
Senate committee that his SIPS
million-a-year bookmaking empire
covers the Nation.
He was among at least four wit
nesses testifying before the grand
jury in Washington yesterday.
Henrik Mannerfrid, New York
exporter, who repeatedly lost $780,
900 in his investments" with Am
brose. testified for about 80 min
utes.
Albert Glickfeld, operator Of
the Gold Key Club, COG E street
NV, after hours bottle club
faced the jury for about As min
utes. Glickf1eld also reported,
lost substantial sums in his deal
1ngs with the former postal
official.
e Another witness, who described
himself as "a friend of Ambrose. >
was Harry Stringer. an ex-news-
paperman living in the 5100 block
OF Fulton street NV. He said
he had not bought any STAMPS
under the scheme.
officials have indicated that
Ambrose faces possible prosecu-
ton for false pretenses and/o
using the mails to defraud.
Attorney Fihelly, who is beins
assisted by Ellis Arenson anc
James OBrien of the Justice De.
partment. declined to say wher
the investigation would be com.
pleted.
Earlier this month a Toledo
(Ohio) businessman filed a $75..
900 suit against Ambrose in Fed.
eral Court at Alexandria. G. H
Himelhoch claimed $4,000 com.
penSatory damages and S25. .00(