New York Times
WIFE BACKS PROF. THOMAS
Calls Him "Foolish Boy" and Take Mrs. Granger in Charge.
CHICAGO, April 13 — Professor William Isaac Thomas of the
department of sociology of the University of Chicago arrested with Mrs. Pearl
Granger, the young wife of an army Lieutenant now serving in France, in a
downtown hotel Thursday, spent ten minutes in jail late this afternoon.
Thomas, who is called "Daddy" by Mrs. Granger, was arrested on a warrant
charging disorderly conduct and made returnable in the Morals Court Monday. He
obtained his release on a $400 bond, and immediately returned to his home, where
Mrs. Thomas, who was a member of the Ford Peace Mission, had given refuge to
Mrs. Granger.
Professor Thomas, who is 55 years old, was called by his wife a "foolish boy who
had committed an unutterably stupid act, not wrong, but indiscreet." Mrs.
Granger, who is 24 years old and has a baby boy living now with his grand
parents in Fort Smith, Ark., was referred to by Mrs. Thomas as an "immature
child, dazzled by the distinguished professor."
Following the arrest of the professor and Mrs. Granger, Mrs. Thomas motored
downtown to visit Mrs. Granger and her sister, Miss Delia Raines, a motion
picture actress, 18 years old, and took both the sisters home with her to talk
over the whole situation.
"When my husband comes home I will abide in happiness with him and him alone,"
declared Mrs. Granger when asked what the further consequences of the affair
might be. "But there will be shooting when he comes back. And if he learns of it
now, he will immediately desert to come."
Professor Thomas declared that he wished to deny that the affair result from a
malicious attack, and declared that he was willing to stand the consequences.
"I am going to stick by Mrs. Granger through thick and thin," he said. "She is a
nervous wreck as a result of the questionings she has gone through."
There was a hastily assembled meeting of the University of Chicago Faculty, but
it was understood that no action would be taken next week.
