STRONG ATTACK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 258, 23 June 1932, Page 8

STRONG ATTACK

FAMOUS BANKER CONDEMNS JUDICIARY AND THE POLICE. "NOT FIT TO LIVE IN." One of the most sensational attacks on American graft and official corruption that has ever been made came from th© lips of Mr. Fred G. Havermeyer, the famous banker, at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon irx New York a few weeks ago. The report of hls utterances has set all America agog. He was down to speak_on world affafrs, and to the surprise of those present, including some of the great- 1 est men in business and banlcing circles, he launched a vi'olent attack upon gangsters, police and the judiciary. "America is no longer a fit country for a decent man to live in," he said. "I am getting on in years and I intend to retire soon. But I feel I cannot settle happily in this graftridden country, I shall go to England, where life is still a wholesome and clean thing, untainted by corruption in high places, and, if tbey will have me, I will become a British subject. "Most certainly my son is going to that country to be brought up in an atmosphere of decency, educated among decent people, and when he is old enough I hope he will become a British subject and renounce this sad land which saw his birth." Continuing his amazing outburst, Mr. Havermeyer referred to the kidnapping of his child in 1930, when he paid ransom of £10,000. "The kidnapping of Col. Lindbergh's child is being treated by the authorities as part of the game now being played by gangdom. A little theatrical ilreworks were set off by the police, who professed to be staggered, but it meant nothing. Of all the amazing things in American history this is it — that the Fcderal Government and the Stato Assembly should be so apathetic about it all." Mr. Havermeyer suared no one. ITe even reached the White House in his outburst, and named certain high New York State and New York City police chiefs and magistrates as being in league and in the pay of gangdom. It was in Sentember, 1930,- that Mr. Havormever's infant son was kidnapped and held to ransom. He advertised, offering immunity from arrest, and promised to pay the domandcd rvnsom of 50,000 dollars to any emissary from the gang who called at his home with the child. Gave Man a Thrashing. When the man came, Mr. Havermeyer said: ,(I promised you immunity, and I will see that you are not arrested, and I promised you the money. Ilere it is. But I'm going to givo you the best licking you ever had." And he beat the man unmercifully, and set liim on to the street half dead. Since that timo the child has had a permanent guard of ex-detectives, and the house is frtted up with the most elaborate alarms. It has been said (Mr. Havermeyer has neither denied nor confirmed the report) that the nursery is fitted so that after a certain hour anyone toueliing the window-ledges from the outside would be immediately electrocuted.