New York Times
THOMAS AND WOMAN FREED
Evidence Sought for Prosecution Under the Mann Act.
CHICAGO, April 19. 00 The charge of disorderly conduct against Professor
William Isaac Thomas and Mrs. R. M. Granger was dismissed by Judge Graham in the
Morals Court today. Clarence Darrow, attorney for the defense, was upheld in his
contention that, although the elderly sociologist and the young wife of an army
officer were found in the room together at a hotel, this did not constitute
disorderly conduct.
A. Bruce Bielaski, chief of the Bureau of Investigation of the Department of
Justice at Washington, has agents at work gathering every possible scrap of
evidence concerning the relations of the couple which may show possible
violations of the Mann act.
Mrs. Granger's husband, a Lieutenant in the Signal Corps, sailed for France in
February and almost immediately the friendship between her and the Professor
began. The betrayal of the soldier husband, admitted by the defense today, has
greatly intensified the interest felt in the case by Mr. Bielaski.
Professor Thomas and Mrs. Granger made trips to Philadelphia and Washington, and
detectives are examining all trails to learn if he paid he railroad fare.
Professor Thomas was recently dropped from the faculty of the University of
Chicago, where he held the chair of sociology. He is widely known as an author
and lecturer on the subject.
Mrs. Granger, heavily veiled, was in court today. Mrs. Thomas, wife of the
professor, also was present. She has been caring for Mrs. Granger at her home
for a week. The older woman looked weary, but undaunted.
