Page:John Feoktist Dudikoff - Beasts in Cassocks (1924).djvu/144

 given a promise that my case would be examined within a very short time, namely about two weeks, and I gave them a brief summary which was intended for the publication of my book; whereupon I have been advised by words of mouth, that there is no objection to the publication, and that concerning the production on the screen, I have to apply to the Chief Director of Films, Mr. Hayes, and which advice I have followed. Upon my reutrn to New York I have commenced preparing the work for my book. But merciless Fate constantly persecuted me and my book with all material, almost in final form, had been seized by gaents of the Metropolitan Paton at the printing shop and destroyed. In this obnoxious crime took actvie part: the attorneys and counsellors of the Metropolitan, Messrs. Graves and Mahony, the priest and former German spy Krizhanowsky and many others—in all about 40 people. Whereupon, this violence was accompanied by beating me up. Principally threatened with revolvers: the priest Krizhanowsky, and one Muralow, a former Che-kist at the Kieff Extra-Ordinary Commission, Malaya Sadowaya No. 5.

During this pogrom they caused me damages amounting in total to some $50,000.00, taking into consideration that at the same time I lost a number of very valuable affidavits.

After all this I again went with my attorney, Mr. Maximilian Beder to Washington. The same Mr. Nathan, after hearing my story for the second time requested from me a brief summary, allgeing that he cannot find the first one I gave him during my first visit at the Department of Justice, and again having promised that the entire affair would be investigated very shortly. Whereupon he said:

"Regardless of all this, there is no objection against the filming of your picture—apply to the same Mr. Hayes."

Having returned to New York, I went to the office of Mr. Hayes and his assistant told me that from their part there is no objection either, and that the concern which buys from me the picture will take care itself about the further development of the film; whereupon he forwarded to me a list containing names and addresses of various film companies.

Thereafter, within a short time, I commenced negotiations with a film company at Los Angeles regarding the sale of my film and went there. But here again I had met with misfortune. The Metropolitan Platon, with the assistance of his agent, the priest Razumow, gathered a group of some 200 people, including Baptists, denounced me, arrested me and prosecuted me.