THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

20 January 1922

(page 4)

WOMAN TO TELL OF O.T.O. DEALS.

New Testimony About Cult Expected

When Mrs. J. R. Walker Testifies Friday.

Mrs. Jennie Rumley Walker, former manager of the Universal book store at Grand River avenue and Park place, will be summoned as a witness in the bankruptcy proceedings against the Universal Book Stores, which will be resumed before Referee Paul King Friday.

Grover L. Morden, attorney for the trustees and creditors, Thursday announced he would question Mrs. Walker regarding $1,000 she is said to have received from the sale of a store in Toledo. She is also expected to give testimony regarding the success of the corporation until funds were taken for the publication of the “Equinox,” the official organ of the O. T. O. ‘Soul Cult’.

Won’t Be Goat—Ryerson.

“I am tired of being the goat in this suit and I will bring letters, papers and contracts that will prove other Detroiters fostered this idea,” Albert W. Ryerson, president of the Universal Book Stores, Inc., was quoted as saying Thursday. Attorneys believe Ryerson’s testimony may compromise some of Detroit’s well known citizens, said at one time to have been members of the O. T. O.

Homer Adair, an employee of Higgins’ second hand book store will also be subpoenaed to tell of a transaction, which Ryerson claims, he netted the corporation $5,000 worth of books. Adair was in the employ of the Universal stores at the time Ryerson claims he made the deal.

Four distinct investigations have been ‘double crossed’ in previous attempts to disclose the inner working of the O. T. O., according to Morden.

Inquiry Goes On.

No information beyond the frequently changed meeting places of the O. T. O. was ever forthcoming to the interested individuals, Morden said.

Federal and postal authorities are proceeding with their investigations to determine whether the mailing of the “Equinox” the official publication of the O. T. O. constitutes a violation of federal law. Assistant United States District Attorney Frank Murphy in a previous statement designated the “Equinox” as being “indecent and obscene.”