ing. It has been the policy of the Tampa press to print the names and addresses of those accused.

Sheriff Blackburn said that there will probably be more than 100 arrests as a result of the investigations which are continuing.

At the same time, Tampa Chief of Police Neil Brown, laid down the law on what he termed "an ever growing problem" of homosexuality in Tampa.

"We're going to clean them up and get them out of town," the chief declared, pointing to a continuously growing list of known homosexuals. "I don't know where they will go, but we're going to get them out of town," he added.

Following an order by Brown, city vicesquadsmen hauled in 48 persons who were found in what Brown termed "known homosexual hangouts." The chief opined that he was certain homosexuality "is . . . on the upswing here."

One member of the vicesquad, Bill Whitmer, said he and deputy sheriffs had been working for over a month on a detailed "mug book" containing the names and vital information on known homosexuals either living in Tampa or visiting in Tampa for "weekend parties." The data is being compiled from dockets starting with the year 1955. Whitmer said he still had about three more years of dockets to scan.

Chief Brown added that about 10 years ago Tampa "had very little homosexuality, but now there are from 10 to 15 places around town where they cluster . . . we certainly intend to make it difficult for them to carry on in Tampa." He said that Miami was confronted with a similar problem and coped with it "just the same way we are."

In the past, as many as 200 homosexuals would spend the weekend in Tampa from such places as Sara-

sota, Lakeland, Dade City and parts of Pinellas County. Apparently their every move was watched.

Later in the month State Atty. Paul B. Johnson issued an urgent plea to Tampa parents of teenagers to warn them against the growing danger from "perverts." Johnson said "investigations have shown this problem to be even more widespread than we first anticipated. We have arrested at least 130 persons for crimes against nature and lewd and lascivious acts in the last 90 days." Of all the accused, "most have admitted their guilt."

A letter from a reader of ONE in the Tampa area points up the tragedy: "On June 16th I received a letter from my best friends. The two have been living together for 11 years. One is a teacher the other a doctor. They have a lovely home outside Tampa on...." A part of the letter reads, "I don't know what you have read in the papers or whether radio or TV has carried the news in your city or not. At any event our worst fears have been realized, the reign of terror struck Tampa and made front pages here. On June 2nd, B was arrested without warning at . . . and charged with a 'crime against nature.' He is awaiting trial and is out of jail on $2,000 bond. Being a school teacher he enjoyed adequate publicity. Needless to say, just about everything has collapsed for us.

"Fortunately, I am not involved legally, but of course otherwise, especially financially, we've had it. I don't know how we'll get through the next few months. . . ."

Latest news from Tampa is that arrests are continuing, and that police are now using information obtained from persons previously arrested who have been persuaded to tell on their friends and acquaint-

ances.