 The Equitable Life Assurance Society presents this is your FBI official broadcast from the Files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation presented transcribed as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and The Equitable Society is representative in your community Fathers and mothers may I have your close attention, please if you're typical Americans you firmly believe in education You're determined that your children are going to have the best education you can possibly afford The Equitable Education Fund is made to order for you. It's the painless way to pay for a college education It's a plan that makes certain that your boy or girl will go to college regardless of what happens to you Interested then please listen carefully in about 12 minutes when I give full details on the Equitable Education Fund a Plan created for opportunity-minded parents by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States The subject of our FBI file Misery chiseling its title the bad Samaritan One of the difficulties of crime prevention is that the criminal makes all the early decisions He picks his crime. He chooses the time and the place and also plans his getaway Occasionally he leaves behind some very obvious clues which make his trail easy to follow But sometimes he is more careful more difficult to locate In tonight's case from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation You see the man of your FBI in action as they attempt to track down a very slippery fugitive As they concentrate their efforts their knowledge their training in a search for one person in a manhunt Tonight's FBI file opens in a large western city It is late afternoon as a man in the uniform of an army officer knocks at the door of a small cottage I'd like to see Mrs. Mason. I'm Mrs. Mason. Oh, my name is Major Bristol. I was your son's commanding officer in Korea May I come in please? Oh, of course. Thank you The room isn't very tidy. That's all right, Mrs. Mason. Please sit down. I Wanted you to be seated when I gave you the news The news? Yes, that telegram you received was an error Tommy is alive. Yeah, I know this is a terrible shock. Where is Tommy? Can I see him? Is he all right? Oh, I've prayed every night for this news if you knew how I've prayed I can imagine It was my fault that you got the telegram your fault. Yes I went out one night on a patrol with Tommy and three of my other men We lost contact with the cooks. That's what we call the North Koreans But they didn't lose contact with us. They machine gun this coming over a ridge We scattered and when only two of us came back through the lines I reported the other men missing in action. Well, where is Tommy? When did you find him? We didn't I Learned just before I left Korea that Tommy was taken prisoner that night prisoner. It's not very pleasant But at least he is alive Yes, of course I can't tell you how grateful I am to you. We'll be grateful to Reverend Jones What does the Reverend have to do with it? Well on the way back from Korea I somehow lost the slip of paper with your name and address on it All I could remember was that you lived in this city and that Tommy had told me about going to the hillside church Oh, yes, Tommy never missed a Sunday So I called on Reverend Jones and he gave me your address else. I never would have located you so I see Well, I'm so grateful to both of you I'll be able to sleep tonight to sleep and not have any more nightmares about my boy He's all I have. I'm sure he'd like to hear from you. Mrs. Mason. Well, can I write to him? What's the address? Well, it's not quite that easy. Oh, if you'd like to write a note I'll see to her that a guest to Tommy through Well, I'm not supposed to tell you this but we do have an underground movement in North Korea They deliver it. Oh, this is wonderful. Just wonderful as far as sending him anything like food or clothes I'm afraid that's impossible shipping spaces at a premium. Yes, of course There is one way to provide some comforts for Tommy. Oh, how tell me I'll do anything The guards at the communist prison camper open for bribery. If you had some money, you could send your son I have a thousand dollars in my savings account. What would that be enough? If that's all you have There was a man here yesterday looking at the house. I could sell this place Oh, no, no Tommy wouldn't want you to do that You get the thousand dollars and we'll see that he gets it. Well, when should I get it? Well, the banks are closed now, but the morning will be time enough I'm leaving for Washington to report on some secret work, but my plane doesn't go until 11 11 in the morning. Yes, I'm staying at the hotel central if you can have the money there by 1030 that'll be time enough. Oh, I will I will and thank you Thank you The following week at the local FBI field office special agent Jim Taylor greets agent Mike Wayne Mike we're working together again. It's fine with me Jim. What is it this time? I'm misery chiseler Oh, I would have named mrs. Mason called in this morning She got a letter from the grave registration unit of the army telling her where her son was buried a rough kind of mail Well, she called the army to tell them that her boy was a prisoner of war and wasn't killed in action She said a man named Major Bristol came to see her and she gave him a thousand dollars to send to her son Not the old racket about bribing the prison guards. That's it Mike the army checked and of course there is no major Arthur Bristol Who came back from Korea victim give you a description? Yes We've got nothing in our office files on anybody with that description and neither had the police Maybe this woman was too excited to give a good description. No, I checked Mike. She described him perfectly Well, who'd you check with mrs. Mason's pastor this major went to the pastor first and told him the story what for oh I guess I made a story sound better. I called in this Reverend Jones gave me exactly the same description Or maybe Washington will have something on Bristol. I hope so. I sent it through on the wire since I got the confirmation Oh, uh, Mike, can you get out for a while? We're not right now Jim? I've got to finish this report for the s.a.c. Okay, then I'll see you later. Oh, where are you heading to see Reverend Jones? Find out if he can give us anything to work on Hello Reverend. Sorry. I kept you waiting. It's quite all right, sir Sit down, please. Thank you Shocking thing this man did Terribly shocking. Yes, I was hoping you might help us catch him Reverend. I certainly will if I can well in your conversation with him Did he indicate where he was living? The hotel's central. Yes, so we've checked there They've had no guest named Bristol in a month I see the probability is that he's left the city by now. Yes, I imagine so he didn't indicate where he might be going Did he know No one at any of the transportation terminals recognized the description that you and mrs. Mason gave but Well, of course, that's not conclusive one way or the other How I do so wish there was a way I could be of some help Pardon me certainly sir Hello Yes, yes, this is he. Oh Just just a moment, please that's for you mr. Taylor. Oh, thank you, sir Oh Yeah, Mike Yeah, it takes care of that Yeah, thanks, Mike Yeah, I'll be back in a little while right My office they got a teletype from Washington They have no file on anyone named Bristol answering that description by the shape Reverend Is it possible that this man touched a drinking glass or anything else? It hasn't been clean since he was here I'm afraid not Well, thank you anywhere Reverend for your time quite welcome. I oh, I say mr. Taylor I I just remembered something. Oh, what's that sir? You see I keep a guest book major Bristol signed it. No It's a new book and of course the binding is rather stiff I'm sure that he must have held the left-hand page down with one hand while he he wrote with the other No, we might have prints and enough on that page for a handwriting comparison Oh, may I borrow the book to send to our laboratory? They'll take good care of it Course come along and I'll I'll get it for you. Pardon me ma'am. I'm looking for mrs. Parker. I'm mrs. Parker Of course, I should have recognized you. What's that? Well, you look just like your boy. Oh Did you know George? Yes, I have some news for you. May I come in? Oh, please? Yeah, my name is major Bradley I was George's commanding officer What's matter? Oh, it's it's just this shrapnel in my leg on days like this. It seems to come alive You said that you had some news about George. Oh, please sit down mrs. Parker I wanted you to be seated when I gave you the news The telegram you received was a mistake. Oh, George is alive Alive or I Can't believe it. Please try to control yourself mrs. Parker I have so much to tell you and only a few minutes to do it I have to leave for Washington on the 130 plane. I won't interrupt fine. I Went out one night on a patrol with George and two of my other men We lost contact with the cooks. That's what we call the North Koreans But they didn't lose contact with us Mike we just got word from Washington on major Bristol his real name is Brown Arthur Brown Did they get this from the Reverend's gospel? Yeah, he's done two terms for forgery Yeah, let's get pictures and send out an IO Washington's doing that But I don't know how much help it'll be why his record shows He's pretty adept at changing his general appearance Sometimes he grays his hair or you'll wear glasses use a hearing aid, you know things like that No wonder nobody answered the alarm Yeah, you know he can keep traveling from one end of the country the other if he likes There must be some way to catch up to him modus operandi. That's our only chance Mike We've got to nail him when he's actually at work Might be easier catching lightning in a bottle Brown comes from Boston Police there have been alerted just in case he does go home It's been a week now since he swindled Mrs. Mason. If he was going home, he'd be there by now Special agent Taylor. Yes, sir. I did and yes, all right Immediately how about agent Wayne? I see. Yes. Yes, he's here All right, sir. Thank you Mike that was the SAC a teletype just came in from Bedford City Brown swindled another woman there when three days ago SAC wants us to fly to Bedford City and stay on this till we get results We will return in just a moment to tonight's exciting case from the official files of your FBI Now for a moment. Let's pay a quick visit to the home of Harvey Carson in the living room Mr. Carson a man in his early 30s is talking to Fred Barton his equitable society representative Fred what about this college education insurance? I've been hearing about I had to leave college at the end of my freshman year Always felt I missed a lot. I wouldn't like that to happen to my kid Well, it can't happen mr. Carson if you start an equitable education fund for your boy. How does it work? Well, it's quite simple the Equitable Society writes you an endowment life insurance policy That's all paid up when your boys ready to enter college In other words, you set aside a little each month and there'll be nothing to worry about later on It's the painless way to pay for a college education Sort of like buying an automobile on the installment plan, isn't it? That's it exactly You spread the cost of your son's college education over 15 16 or 17 years Instead of taking a beating during the four years. He's actually in college. Well, that certainly makes sense Another point to consider is that if you should die before the plan is completed What happens then the policy becomes paid up in full the Equitable Society holds the money for your son and pays Interest on the full amount until he's ready to go to college So an equitable education fund is the way to make sure your son gets a good education Regardless of what happens to you and my boy is three years old now. Is that too early to start? No on the contrary The earlier you start the lower your yearly cost will be or what would that cost be? Well, that's strictly up to you mr. Carson, whatever you think you can afford Your plan doesn't have to pay all his expenses at college For instance, suppose you decide to start a plan that would pay him eight hundred dollars a year for four years at your age That would cost you only If you have children of your own why not get the cost of an equitable education fund from your equitable representative? These equitable men don't go in for high pressure methods They give you the information you need and let you make up your own mind Get in touch with your equitable representative soon or write care of this station to the Equitable Society That's CQui TA BLE the equitable life assurance society of the United States And now back to the FBI file the bad Samaritan Tonight's case is an example of what inevitably happens when millions of men are wearing their country's uniform Unscrupulous crooks and confidence men devise ways and means to misuse that uniform as a cover for criminal acts Certainly no one wishes to lessen the natural sympathy and goodwill that every American feels for a man who is serving his country But the mere fact that someone is wearing a uniform Does not mean that you can neglect the ordinary prudence. You should always observe in dealing with strangers Tonight's file continues at the airport in Bedford City shortly after the arrival of special agents Taylor and Wade Like the police here have worked up a lead good Brown took a plane to Morgantown three days ago He hits and run all the Morgantown police are working on it now They're notifying all clergymen to be on the lookout now Brown may not follow the original pattern that closely Only can't take it a minister here to the name of his victim. Oh, yeah, he used the name Bradley on this one Bristol Brown Bradley He's partial to that initial anyway, yeah Swindled a widow named Parker out of six hundred dollars cut me well That's all she had the police here are contacting every minister in the city and outlying districts But Brown's already left. Well, they're not too sure he was satisfied with only six hundred He was here almost five days and if he did contact anybody else we may get another piece of the pattern You know could be Mike. How about you helping them check the list? Okay? Now where are you going? Well, there's a plane to Morgantown in 20 minutes. I'll catch it and you'll meet me there Mrs. Carter you have no idea what it means to be able to dance with a pretty girl after all those months in Korea I'm glad I can help you enjoy it You know Freddie kept your picture over his bunk. I know He wrote me about the kidding he took Major You're sure he's all right positive. He had no money on him when he was captured, but oh forget it Please tell me everything. I Have well, I Got lucky in a poker game at the officers club and won a couple of hundred dollars We didn't have anything to spend money on so I Took the 200 and saw to it that it got to Freddie major. I can't tell you how grateful I am It wasn't anything it was selfish really you do a good turn. Hope someday somebody'll do one for you Will you let me pay you back for what the $200 you sent Freddie I can borrow it from my boss and let him take ten dollars a week off my pay Well, that's awfully nice of you Mrs. Carter, but you need that money after all there's you and the baby to feed I can manage I think I can anyway. No, no the $800 you're sending Freddie is enough of a burden to carry He can return the 200 after he's been home a while major you You did say he'd be home soon. I promise you the minute I get into the Pentagon tomorrow morning I'll get the ball rolling Finally got out of bed for city gym to get an evening two false alarms. That's why I've been so long Now we might have a lead coming in great What'd you hit nothing with the front desk call a minute ago sending some woman back to see me? Oh Finish checking the clergyman here. I've talked to every minister within 20 miles of Morgan down at least once You suppose he's changing his pattern. We shine new might put us in a nice box if he does yeah Hey, you see the local papers Brown's pictures in them plus a description of the racket you release it I called the SEC last night Brown got to Morgan's on five days ago and the SEC said not to wait any longer Well, I finally interviewed the woman he swindled in Bedford city. She had anything new Oh brown use the same ammo, but he faked a bad limp in his right leg Korean shrapnel wounds. He said Yes, ma'am. That's right. The man said to talk to you about this Will this story in the paper? Oh, yes, sir. Have you seen that man? Well, he didn't look like this He wore heavy glasses and he had dark hair and did he say he could get money to your brother or somebody who's a prisoner of war in Korea My husband. Oh, I see. I gave him $800 when two days ago. Can you take us to him? No, he He's gone. I drove him to the airport myself. Do you know where he went? Thomasville Mike Will you finish this interview? I'll call make reservations for the next plane I'd like to see Mrs. Everett. Oh, you must be major Burnett. That's right How did you know Reverend Clay's housekeeper called to say you're coming over. Oh, please do come in. Thank you Did she tell you the news? No, well, I'm glad of that. I wanted the pleasure for myself. What is it? Please sit down, Mrs. Everett The telegram you got about Johnny was a mistake Your son's alive What yes, I know it must come as quite a shock Mrs. Everett, but let me tell you the whole story Where is he? Can I see him if you're right? I'll answer all those questions as I go along. I was Johnny's commanding officer Mike any clergyman calling and not yet you know, maybe he's not using that angle anymore He didn't on that last one Mike. Let's review what we've got so far, huh? Okay now the victim in each case was a widow All three women were in moderate financial condition none had anybody to turn to for advice, right? So obviously he chooses his people very carefully now doing that takes time It's our third day here, Jim. Well, that's about the time it's taken for research in the other towns Yeah, but where does he get the names? We've covered the newspaper offices Nobody's been in to check back papers with casualty lists. We've covered the libraries that keep wait a minute Wait a minute Mike. There's one other angle In each case the ward department notified the victims a few weeks before Brown showed up However, the army didn't release the casualty list of the newspapers until just a few days before Brown's arrival Well, I don't see what you're driving at once. He must pick his victims one town ahead Now in each city he could go to an out-of-town newsstand get the papers from whatever place that he's headed for That might be it He always travels by plane. Let's check the stand at the airport first, right? Special agent Taylor Yes, sir What? Well, yes Reverend. She did where? Mrs. Alice Everett What was that number again? 11 Oak Street Yes, Reverend, I understand Yes, thank you for calling That was a Reverend who forgot to tell his housekeeper about Brown and she directed him to a widow on Oak Street Come on, Mike, maybe it's our turn to be first This is at 11 I can't wait to give him that warrant This is gonna be a real pleasure And Brown must have lived with friends every place he went I hope we're through checking hotel registers for that handwriting You can say that for both of us Hello? Hello, Mrs. Everett Yes, that's right We're special agents of the FBI, ma'am Here are my credentials Oh, what is it? You received a call earlier today from Reverend Leonard's housekeeper Yes Well, as the man she called about been here A Major Burnett got here this morning We'd like to see him Oh, the Major left two hours ago Mike, no ticket seller recognizes Brown's picture I got the same with the porters and the gate attendants Only Brown wasn't cute enough to travel in civilian clothes If he even traveled under the name he uses with his victims, we've had to leave I know, if, if, if, that's all we've gotten on this case Jim, we've never come up with a ticket seller who recognizes the picture, have we? Not yet Maybe Brown uses travel agencies for his tickets Worth a try, let's get a list and cover them A good idea, Mike, but I came up empty I did too 15 planes have left since Mrs. Everett saw Brown And he could have been on any of them Yeah, and he's been making short jumps So by now he must be at his next stop No, we can't question everybody traveling by plane Wait a minute, Mike, maybe you're close Let's get the passenger list of those planes and cross check every name Mike, I've got it Hey Flight 83, list of the Dr. Alex Hart at 19 Archer Drive There's no such doctor and no such address Well, that must be Brown, where did he go? Sonneville, come on Oh, Major Boone, tonight's the first time I've laughed like that Since I got the telegram I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to bring you good news How about another piece of cake? I couldn't You'll never know what a home-cooked meal tastes like after what we ate in Korea Oh, I do wish I could send Roy one of my cakes Mrs. York, this is against my orders But you've been so nice to me, I'll try to return the favor You mean you will send one to him? Yes You understand, I hope, about a package getting through to the prison camp Well, no, no I don't I'm afraid that'll take an extra bribe But I don't have any more money You asked me to get $900 from the bank You mean you have no more here? That's right But I could get some tomorrow when the bank opens All right, you do that and I'll come by in the morning I'm afraid I'll have to be going But the cake for Roy Well, I'll pick that up in the morning with the money And thank you so much for the meal, Mrs. York Oh, it's little enough in return for the wonderful news about Roy Good night I'll see you to the door Hello, Brown We've finally caught up to you Thanks, Mrs. York Mrs. York, who are these men? But this gentleman sounds like the one who called before I am Then he's from the FBI, Mr. Brown We both are Come on, Brown, let's get down to headquarters And we can all stop traveling Arthur Brown was tried and convicted on a charge of impersonating a federal officer And sentenced to a term of 15 years in the penitentiary In Centerville, the two special agents not only called every clergyman To warn him against the racket being worked by the bogus major But also phoned every next of kin listed for servicemen from that area Who were wounded, killed or missing in action Fortunately, Mrs. York's call came while Brown was at her home Fortunately that is for your FBI and therefore also for you, the people Since it removed a misery chiseler from your midst Brown's arrest and conviction did not end as racket People throughout the country with friends or relatives in the armed forces Are being swindled by other men of that same stripe Your FBI cannot put them out of business without your help When a stranger brings you news of any unexpected good fortune Or an unbelievable opportunity for outrageous profit, do one thing Examine and weigh his every word If you have any doubts, take one further step Call your local police View of the advantages of an equitable education fund First, it's the painless way to pay for a college education You spread the cost over many years instead of taking a beating in four Second, it's sure From the moment you start, you're certain your children will get the kind of education you want them to have Regardless of what happens to you So why delay? Ask your equitable representative for full information on an equitable education fund Or write care of this station to the Equitable Life Assurance Society Next week, we will dramatize another case from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Its subject, Armed Robbray Its title, Ghost Town The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Life Assurance 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 places or 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 Stacey Harris Others in the cast were Elspeth Eric, Joe Gilbert, Bill Johnstone, Joyce McCluskey, Victor Rodman, and Carlton Young This is your FBI, a Jerry Divine production was produced by Sid Goodwin This is Larry Keating speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States And the Equitable Society's representative in your community And inviting you to tune in again next week at the same time When the Equitable Life Assurance Society will bring you another thrilling transcribe story From the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Ghost Town on This Is Your FBI Stay tuned for A Life in Your Hand starring Lee Bowman, which follows immediately This program came to you from Hollywood America is sold on ABC, the American Broadcasting Company