The Milwaukee Leader

'VENUS SOLVES FAIL TO RESTORE BLOOM O' YOUTH

CHICAGO—"They promised to take off the freckles. But I've still got 'em—look!" snapped the elderly spinster from Sweet Bath, Ky.

"I was to get a nose like Ethel Barrymore's. But, O dear, mine's just as plain as ever," broke in the plump widow from Hailstones, Ia.

Fifteen women from small middle western towns stormed the grand jury-room in the federal building yesterday, seeking vengeance on the Helen Clare Preparation Co., which is said to have made $90,000 in the last year exploiting beauty preparations.

Asst. Dist. Atty. Robert A. Milroy demanded indictments for Orville J. Gunnell and his wife, owners of the "Venus factory," on charges of using the mails to defraud. Five hundred women from small towns in the vicinity of Chicago complained to the district attorney that they had sent from $1 to $6 to the Helen Clare concern for wrinkle removers, hair restorers, eye brighteners, developers and figure improvers. But, they said, none of the unguents of Cleopatra ever arrived.

Gertie Skobe, 21, of Malden, Mo., came out of the jury room flushed with indignation.

"I'm going to get my money back, you bet!" she said, shaking her head ominously. "I didn't come all this way just to show a jury my warts."

Mayme Pence, 60, Riggsville, Ill., told Milroy she bought the Helen Clare Co.'s entire outfit on promises that their wondrous salves, pills, harnesses, creams and oils would bring back the bloom of youth to her cheeks.

"It's an outrage," exclaimed Mrs. Barbara Zey of Prairie Home, Mo.

"I traveled through Missouri and Illinois, and I only get $1.50 a day for testifying. It cost me that for my hotel room."