 The equitable life assurance society presents this is your FBI This is your FBI the official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation presented as a public service by the equitable life assurance society of the United States and the equitable society is representative in your community For the past three weeks the equitable life assurance society has been offering members of this radio audience the famous fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers and each week as soon as the program ended listeners began phoning their equitable society Representative asking to bring around copies of this chart tonight I'm going to suggest that you put off your phone call till next week this Christmas Eve Equitable society representatives like yourselves are busy trimming trees laying out presents and putting up Christmas holly reeds and mistletoe But next week be sure to call an equitable representative about the fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers I'll tell you more about it in about 14 minutes Tonight's FBI file the return of st. Nick United States is a young country in the family of nations But already it has its share of national holidays Holidays that belong to these 48 states Those holidays are spaced from February to November and of every one of those days It can be said that they belong to the people of the United States exclusively But there is one legal holiday observed in this country that does not belong to us Exclusively any more than it belongs to any nation It too celebrates a birthday a Birthday which has come to mean much in the hearts of millions of people a birthday we call Christmas Opens in an FBI field office located in a large eastern city It is two days before Christmas and special agent Jim Taylor has just entered the office of agent in charge Sheridan Morning Jim morning, sir. I've got my report here on the Henderson case fine. Just leave it on my desk Now you're officially on leave aren't you Jim? Yes, sir as of this morning But I wanted to hand this in before I left going out of town for the holiday. That's right, sir I'm flying home this afternoon. How long since you've been home on Christmas? Oh, not since before the war Well have a nice trip Jim. Thank you, sir and the very merry Christmas and the same to you, sir Yes, what is it son? Where's the FBI right down there at the end of the hall? Thank you. Oh, wait a minute What do you want with the FBI son? Well, we've got some trouble and I thought they could help us Well, I'm a special agent you think I could help are you a g-man? That's right. What kind of trouble have you got? Santa Claus is missing Well now that is trouble his name is mr. Norton We've got to find them. We looked all over who looked all over all of us older fellas at the settlement house We went every place all of you older fellas, huh? Yeah, how old are you son? I'll be ten next month I see can you help us, mr? Well, I don't know but I'll tell you what we'll do first Let's go downstairs and get an ice cream soda and you can tell me the whole story This is the settlement house mr. Taylor. It's a nice-looking building here. We go in this door Go ahead, sir. Mr. Williams office isn't there. Gee. He's a nice man. I'm sure he is This door here. Yeah. Oh, but first we must knock. Oh, I I didn't know that come in Hello, mr. Williams. Hello Eddie. This is mr. Taylor. How do you do a mr. Taylor? I'll meet you sir. Mr. Taylor's a g-man. He is yeah, I got him to help us find mr. Norton I see well, I've got a run now choir practice starts in ten minutes. All right, and you go ahead I'll explain everything to mr. Taylor. See you later Eddie I'm sorry you were bothered by Eddie mr. Taylor and no bother at all mr. Williams Eddie made me feel genuinely concerned I'm sure he did we're all very concerned about mr. Norton Well, if there's anything at all I can do unofficially of course, I'd be very happy to that's very nice of you What happened to this mr. Norton? Who is he? Well pop Norton has worked here at the settlement house longer than anyone can remember I see how old would you say he is I guess around 60 or 65 and his job here nothing in particular He did odd jobs around the house and returned for his room and board in a few dollars a month The biggest job he had was being Santa Claus every year at the Christmas party Every child in the house was crazy about him and he loved every one of them in return Eddie said he was missing is that true? Yes, I have no idea where he could have gone or what made him leave. That's the odd part of it No one seems to know Yesterday he sent one of the boys in with a note to me saying he was leaving immediately. I see I went to his room and he was gone I'm afraid it's not going to be much of a Christmas for the children without pop Mr. Williams, do you mind if I take a look around his room not at all? Maybe I can find something there that will lead us to where Santa Claus is hiding Boys Did you find anything in mr. Norton's room mr. Taylor not a thing mr. Williams room was cleaned up Tell me what do you know about mr. Norton? What did he do on his day off? Who are his friends? He never took a day off that I could remember The only pleasure he got out of life besides serving the kids was reading He always had three or four books from the library down the street I have a hunch mr. Norton isn't going to be too difficult to find why do you say that well from what? You told me he's a man of about 60 with no outside interests Only things he likes or reading in children that kind of a man doesn't usually run very far Pardon me, certainly. All right boys. You can rest a while Sorry, mr. Taylor, please go on. Well, I was about to say that I think he's probably still here in the neighborhood Mr. Taylor, mr. Taylor. Oh Eddie. Oh, excuse me, sir. All right Eddie. Mr. Taylor I've been working on the case good for you son. What did you find well? I spoke to a boy who saw pop just before he left. That's fine. What did he say? He told me that he was playing with pop yesterday when two ladies came into the gym two ladies Yeah, pop saw them and he went and hid in the closet until they went away. When was this Eddie just before milk Just before milk, but that's at four o'clock. They all get milk and cookies. I see Well, thanks Eddie. You've been a big help. You're welcome mr. Taylor. Now you stay here a minute Eddie I've got another job for you. Gee thanks. Mr. Williams. Do you know the two women who came here yesterday? One of them was a mrs. Chester. She's on the board of governors She brought a wealthy friend of hers to try to interest her and contributing to the house I see. Do you know the friend's name? No, I don't but I can find it out for mrs. Chester. I'd appreciate you doing that Now Eddie you ready for your assignment? Yes, sir anything. All right I want you to go to the library down the street and see if mr. Norton is there Yes, sir, and if he's not there wait around for him. I think he might come in for some new books Mr. Sheridan, can I see you for a minute? Certainly Jim come on in. Thank you I thought you'd be on your way home by now. Yes, so did I. What happened? Well when I left your office this morning a young boy stopped me in the hall and asked for some help What kind of help? Only belongs to the Murray Street settlement house. It seems that their Santa Claus has disappeared What? He wanted us to find him. I went back with him and talked to the head of the house What's the story? Well, this mr. Norton has worked at the settlement house for about 30 years Yesterday he suddenly quit. Why? Nobody seems to know except that he saw two women come in and hid in a closet until they left Then he packed all his belongings and disappeared. I see. I know this isn't our case, sir But well, I'd like to ask a favor. What is it? We have no picture of this man sir And I'd like to have an artist go over to the settlement house talk to the kids and make up a composite picture of mr. Norton what do you want that for? Well, I have a hunch mr. Norton is still in the neighborhood I'd like to circulate the picture and see if we can't get him back to the settlement house and time to Be Santa Claus again this year. What about your trip home Jim? Oh, it can wait a day. I don't mind Now you go ahead and we'll find an artist and more than that you can use any facilities we've got now. Thanks very much Sheridan speaking is mr. Taylor there. Yes, just a moment. It's for you Jim. Oh, thanks. Hello Mr. Taylor, I've got that information for you. Oh fine. The woman with Mrs. Chester yesterday was a Mrs. Norman Montgomery She lives at 310 North Jackson Avenue Mrs. Norman Montgomery 310 North Jackson Avenue. Well, thank you very much mr. Williams. She must have been the one Pop was afraid of. Oh, why do you say that? Mrs. Chester has been unfriendly terms with Pop for 15 years. Oh, I see. Oh, mr. Williams I'm sending an artist over I'd appreciate you're letting him talk to all of the children so that he can make up a Composite picture of mr. Norton for us. We'll do anything we can to help mr. Taylor. Fine He should be there in about oh a half an hour. Wait a minute. Eddie wants to talk to you. Okay. Here he is Hello Eddie, what did you find out? Nothing. Well, you go back there Eddie and keep watching don't give up so easily And you tell all of your friends up there that if it's at all possible for the FBI to find Santa Claus We'll have him there tomorrow night for that party Just a moment, please Mrs. Montgomery. Yes, my name is Taylor. I'm from the FBI Here are my credentials ma'am What can I do for you mr. Taylor? I'd like to come in and talk to you if you don't mind Come in. Thank you What is it you want? I'm checking up on something and I'd like to ask you a few questions What sort of questions? Well, the first one would be were you at the Murray Street settlement house yesterday? My yes, I was with the Mrs. Chester What is that to do with you? Oh, it has nothing to do with me, Mrs. Montgomery But it might have something to do with a man who disappeared What are you talking about? Well, this man who disappeared seemed to be afraid of being seen by you According to what I can gather. Well, that's merely a theory, Mrs. Montgomery. Oh, why would he be afraid of me? Well, that's what we don't know Who is this man? Oh, I have a composite picture made by one of the artists in our office Yeah What do you recognize him? Yes, I do I haven't seen or talked with him in 30 years, but I know him. Who is he? He's my brother Kenneth Why would your own brother try to avoid you? He had a good reason. What's that Mrs. Montgomery? Kenneth is a common thief We will return in just a moment due to tonight's unofficial case from the files of your FBI Now a Christmas message to parents from the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States Fathers and mothers on this night before Christmas when the children are nestled all snug in their beds When the stockings hang by the chimney with care Most of us realize perhaps more strongly than at any other moment in the year how much our children mean to us At such a time therefore it is perhaps not unsuitable to discuss One of the most unselfish gifts a father can give to his family the gift of life insurance Life insurance is the loving father's way of making sure that his love will continue to watch over his family No matter what may happen to him Through life insurance He makes certain that they will have an adequate income to live in comfort and security if he should be taken from them To help you to determine what that income should be the Equitable Life Assurance Society has published a special chart It is called the fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers Its purpose is to help you make an accurate estimate of how much money your wife and children would require To carry them through the critical years until the youngest child finishes high school You will be able to fill in this chart in five minutes Because you are guided every step of the way by simple easy to understand pictures It is offered to all parents as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society without charge or obligation simply phone your nearby Equitable Society representative and ask him to bring you the fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers or Send a postcard addressed to the Equitable Society Care of this ABC station your request will be forwarded to the nearest representative of the Equitable Society That's EQ UI TA BLE the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States And now back to the FBI file the return of st. Nick Emotion which feeds upon itself and becomes greater as time goes on It utterly destroys every person it possesses because It ruins their judgment by robbing them of their ability to see both sides of any question Ultimately it must warp the mind to such a degree that only a paramount shock can restore any degree of mental balance As you can see from tonight's case from the files of your FBI Hate can make two members of the same family stop talking for 30 years For a period of time that is almost half the allotted time of man on earth That kind of hatred can consume a person an industry or a nation For when a nation hates that way the lone possible outlet is war No one person can prevent a war between nations But every one of you can make this a much merrier holiday season for yourself by Resolving to live your life with full dignity as a human being and full respect for the rights of every other human being On the face of the earth while continues in the apartment of mrs. Montgomery Mrs. Montgomery, would you mind telling me why you accuse your brother of being a common thief? It's It's a family matter mr. Taylor, and I'd rather not discuss it. I see I Assume that your business with me is concluded. Yes, I'm afraid it is Mrs. Montgomery, and I'm sorry because you're the one person. I hope could help us find your brother What do you want to find him for? To arrest him. Oh, no No, until his disappearance. He worked at the Murray Street settlement house The children there love him. It's very important to them that he be found so he can play Santa Claus at their Christmas party I haven't seen him for 30 years. I have no idea where he might be and frankly. I don't care Mr. Montgomery, may I ask you again? Why you believe your brother is a thief? Well, I might as well tell you the whole story If you'll promise to keep it confidential. I naturally want no publicity. Oh, I assure you your story will not be publicized very well More than 30 years ago shortly after my father's death Kenneth forged my name to a check for ten thousand dollars How did you find out that he did it? It was perfectly obvious He was an irresponsible young man Shortly after the forgery. He suddenly had a lot of money. Did anyone ask him where he got it? Yes Yes, he said he made it as a result of an investment Patently that was a lie. Did you discover the forgery yourself, Mrs. Montgomery? No, I didn't The Mr. Bryant who was the executor of my father's estate and an old friend of the family is found out about it and came and told me And you never prosecuted the matter? No, Mr. Bryant convinced me that I shouldn't risk ruining our family's name Mrs. Montgomery did it ever occur to you that your brother might have been telling you the truth? He couldn't have Well, if you don't mind my saying so I think that anyone who has his record with children deserves more of a chance than that Do you by any chance still have the forged check? Yes, I have it. Would you have any samples of your brother's handwriting of that period? Yes, I Kept all of the papers in the case in a special file. And do you have that file handy? Yes, I wonder if I might borrow it for what purpose I'd like to see if a hunch I have about your brother's innocence is correct Mr. Taylor hello Eddie have a chair thanks Eddie. What are you doing wearing a mustache? I put a disguise kit mr. Taylor so I could see the library and watch out for mr. Norton without him recognizing me It's a good idea. Eddie. Well, did you see mr. Norton? Yes, I did. Oh, when well, he didn't show up at all last night I stayed into the library clothes But you told me to stay on it So I went back this morning and he came to the library about 10 o'clock. Did you talk to him? I tried to talk to him, but he said he didn't know me he did yeah So I took off the red wig I was wearing, but he still said he didn't know me I didn't think he'd do that then he turned around and walked out of the library I trailed him just like I saw detective doing the movies where did he go Eddie? I wrote down the address mr. Taylor here. It is 71 Vernon Avenue That's not far from the settlement house is it? No, it's only about two blocks. Well good work partner Here's that report from handwriting Jim. Oh, thanks Carl. Thanks very much. What's that mr. Taylor? I had some papers analyzed by our handwriting expert Eddie. Are you gonna see pop now? In a little while at first I've got another call to make you go back over to the settlement house. I'll see you there later on Good morning, Mrs. Montgomery. Good morning. May I come in surely? Thank you Well, I have some news about your brother what kind of news I took your file of papers down to the handwriting analysis department at our office Why did you do that? Because I wanted them to study the signature on that forged check and then compare it with samples of your brother's handwriting I don't understand why you had them do all that work Oh, Mrs. Montgomery when this crime was committed modern scientific handwriting analysis was not used in cases of this kind so So today it is possible for experts to examine handwriting and make sound judgment based on their studies Those experts have just written a report stating that your brother did not forge that check. I Can't believe it. Nevertheless, it's true. I Know it isn't very polite to speak ill of the dead But according to our studies the executor of the estate mr. Bryant is the man who forged that check Mr. Brian, that's right I don't know what to say. Oh, I think that whatever you do have to say ought to be said to your brother But he's disappeared. Oh, he was found this afternoon in a rooming house over on Vernon Avenue Mr. Taylor I'm not a young woman anymore About all I have left is my pride Will you ask Kenneth to come to see me tonight? Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Montgomery. I think your brother has some pride himself After all he ran away when he was innocent No, I'd suggest that if you want to see him you meet us where well if everything goes well We'll be at the settlement house at eight o'clock tonight. Mr. Norton That's right. I'd like to talk to you sir. Come in. Thank you. Mr. Norton. I'm from the FBI Here are my credentials What do you want here? I came up here to ask you to come back to the settlement house I'm sorry, but I don't think that's any of your business. You're quite right, sir It isn't but may I ask you a question? What is it? Why did you leave? Oh? I got tired of listening to all those kids yelling and screaming in my ears I find it pretty difficult to believe sir that Anyone who spent 30 years with children as you have would suddenly get to dislike them that much well Maybe that's not the reason maybe I've got reasons of my own that I don't want to talk about Could it possibly be because of your sister? Who told you that no, I'm sorry if I seem to have pried into your affairs mr.. Norton But I've been to see your sister what for I went there because I was trying to find you She told me about that check for ten thousand dollars She did yes, and with the aid of the FBI laboratory We showed your sister that you didn't forge her name mr. Bryant was the guilty one What did you say I said mr. Bryant was the one who forged that check how do you know that a handwriting analysis proved it You told this to my sister. Yes. Did she believe you? Yes. Yes. She did and she'd like to see you She'd like to try to make amends. I asked her to come to the settlement house tonight. I don't want to see her now mr. Norton Look, it's Christmas Eve. This is no time to feel that way if she's coming to the settlement house I won't go back now look mr. Norton. You're not going to let all of those kids down Now come on put on your coat if we hurry we can get there for the beginning of the party Hey started the snow just in time. They kids will be happy makes it seem more like Christmas when it's no sure does Yeah, here we are Right mr. Norton Little late I suppose the party is already starting this I think so I better hurry upstairs and get into my Santa Claus suit Oh, it's in mr. Williams office. He told me to bring you right in. Oh, fine Go ahead in sir. I'll wait for you out here. Thank you Grace mr. Taylor was kind enough to invite me to the party. I know you Haven't changed much can Let's forget it grace it's all in the past This is no time for crying grace Here's a hanky dry your eyes And now help me on with this costume This is my annual job round here I got the really hurry to Party's already started Will you hand me that weekend beard surely? Here you are the boys are starting to see Yes, I better be getting out there. Well Will you join me at the party grace? Come along Merry Christmas mr. Taylor and bring us happiness prosperity and a rich full life But those goals cannot be attained without work without hard work and long concentration There are a few bits of advice that are applicable to everyone, but there can be no doubt that for each of us Life will be richer and fuller if we follow one set rule If we live every day during the coming year with the love and kindness in our heart That we have on Christmas Eve for in that way lies peace on earth Goodwill towards man you that the equitable life insurance society is offering its famous fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers This helpful chart which may make such a vast difference in the future happiness and security of your children is yours for the asking Phone your equitable society representative soon or send a postcard to the equitable society care of this ABC station Your request will be forwarded to the nearest representative of the equitable life insurance society of the United States Meanwhile your equitable representative wishes you a merry merry Christmas The incidents used in tonight's equitable life insurance society's broadcast are adapted from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation However, all names used are fictitious and any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental Tonight the music was composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner the author was Jerry D. Lewis Your narrator was William Woodson and special agent Taylor was played by Stacy Harris This is your FBI is a Jerry divine production This is Larry Keating again wishing you a merry merry Christmas from the equitable life insurance society of the United States and The equitable society is representative in your community and inviting you to tune in again next week at the same time to this is your FBI This is ABC the American Broadcasting Company