The arrest of the three men who are responsible for the dropping of Nazi leaflets from an airplane on the German-American picnic held last Sunday was expected last night, according to Springfield police officials.
Last Saturday, the three men, who are known to the police, asked for permission to distribute the leaflets at the picnic of the German-American League of Essex County and the United Singers Society, but when permission was refused, they hired an airplane from Roland and Chet Newman, who operate the local airport.
One of the men went up with Chet Newman who flew the plane and dropped the leaflets over the picnic crowd. The other two remained below. Although Chet Newman was exonerated of any complicity in the affair, he was grounded by a Department of Commerce inspector for flying low over the crowd.
John Koerber, president of the League, told police when he complained about the affair, that the leaflets were libelous. He said that they called the League members cowards and urged them to join the Nazi organization. According to the police, the three men said that they represented The Friends of New Germany.
The United States Government through agents of the Department of Justice began an investigation of the incident, asking the Springfield police to submit a complete report of the affair.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
