Center of Conspiracy Trial -) Popular, iJuccessful Man Clay Shaw, the man accused and during the battle of of conspiring with others to France was Thrasher's deputy kill President John F. Ken- chief of staff. He was named nedy, had been known to most a Chevalier of the Order of people until his arrest as the retired managing director of the Crown of Belgium and the the International Trade Mart. French government bestowed But Clay Shaw is a man on him the "Chevalier de who has managed to combine l'Ordre du Merite Commer- his professional career with cial." broad outside interests. He probably is the most suc- DISCHARGED IN 1946 with cessful individual restorer of the rank of major, Shaw spent French Quarter property. He a brief period in New York is a playwright of moderate success. He loves theater, City, where he was engaged in good food and fine music. He producing plays. Then he re- is an avid reader, a world turned to New Orleans to join traveler and fluent in several ITM, serving for 18 years un- languages. And he is popular til his retirement in 1965. Dur- in a large circle of friends. ing that period he became the close friend of mayors, poli- BORN IN Kentwood, Shaw ticians, businessmen, social- moved with his family to New ites and artists. Orleans when he was five. His After his retirement he trav- grandfather at one time was eled to Europe where he re- sheriff of Tangipahoa Parish. ceived permission from the His mother, Mrs. Alice widow of a Spanish play- Shaw, lives in Hammond, wright to translate one of his where Shaw spends much of plays. The manuscript was his time since the death of turned over to his literary his father over two years ago. agent in New York. During World War II, Shaw At the time of his arrest served as aide-decamp' to nearly two years ago, he was Brig. Gen. C. 0. Thrasher, working on a play.