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Demand Police Round-up of Nazi Agitators Under Charges of Vagrancy

November 8, 1933
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Julius Hochfelder, counsel for the Jewish War Veterans, Monday demanded that Police Commissioner James S. Bolan round up all Nazi agitators without visible means of support and lodge them in jail on a vagrancy charge.

“These alien enemies of the United States Government are being subsidized by the Hitler regime to the extent of almost $25,000,000 while they remain in the United States in absolute idleness except for their activity against the American people and the American Government,” he said.

“The United States Government has been rather apathetic toward this Nazi menace,” declared Mr. Hochfelder. “We must learn to protect ourselves as Austria and other nations, who are better aware of the Nazi imperilment to democracy, are doing.

“Under Section 887 of the New York Criminal Code we are in a position to rid ourselves of these alien fomentors of unrest. We must take immediate aggressive action against those who are crying, “Hang the Jew!” and “Down with the Pope!”

Major Hochfelder Monday filed a complaint with the New York Commissioner of Licenses, asking whether or not “alien enemies” would be allowed to use Madison Square Garden on December 6 under the guise of celebrating German Day.

The federal grand jury Monday resumed hearings on Nazi activities and the disappearance of Heinz Spanknoebel, Nazi agent to the United States, with the introduction of four new witnesses.

Fritz Gissibl, who has been active in organizing branches of the League of Friends of New Germany and who recently in Chicago challenged Mayor O’Brien’s authority to ban German Day celebrations, was led before the jury and questioned by William Prager, assistant district attorney.

Gissibl is recognized as an associate of Spanknoebel and one of the most active men in developing American cells of the Friends of New Germany. He has made many spoches before various cells of the pro-Hitler organization and has been an active operative during the infancy periods of the Newark, Union City, Chicago, and other branches as well as a close affiliate of New York officials of the group.

Werner Haag, another close associate of Spanknoebel and instrument in the creation of Friends of New Germany groups, was also brought before the jury for questioning. He has frequently been delegated by the New York Nazi offices to attend meetings in nearby cities.

Horst Schmall, official of the League of Friends of New Germany, and H. K. Tippman, reporter for a German newspaper, were also questioned.

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