Narrative account of suspect Edwin G. (Mac) Cooper and associate Otto Houdek

EDWIN G. (MAC) COOPER

Lt. United States Air Force, originally from Seattle, Washington After W.W.II he was stationed at Portland Air base until the late 40's or early 50's.

A bartender and part owner of two taverns in the Mt. Tabor district of Portland. First the Varsity Tavern at 34th and Division sts., then in the late 40's he and his partner took over the Shuffle Inn(CMTATCO) i.e. OTTO & MAC. Taverns were at their peak at this time in Portland and the Shuffle Inn was the best in the aria, a good neighborhood and a gathering place for the pilots and crew of the Portland Air Base. They did a very good business until about 1955 as things were pretty wide open, punchboards, dice, cards and pinball machines. About this time the government had a national drive on " Bookies" they were picked up and busted which broke up the partnership etc.

" MAC" Cooper then went into the insurance business selling auto insurance to all his friends and others. In 1962 this blew up as he was spending all the insurance money and not paying the main insurance company, Walter J. Pearson and Co. Collections were made from one policy and paid on another that had been let run to the limit etc., result nobodys policies were paid and the insurance company was stuck.

His next venture was to start a mutual fund, local merchants and friends were taken for another ride.

The last I heard he was working as an appraiser for the city- county of Multnomah County. The set-up here was to appraise business and personal property below the actual and take the kick back in payment.

He lived with his family, wife Elma and [REDACTED b6/b7C] in [REDACTED] My last known address was 1327 48th Ave Portland, Oregon. This was just in back of the Shuffle Inn.

A man about town, a big spender, well acquaninted every where.

At one time in the early or mid 50's he commited himself to the Sate Mental institution at Damascus, Oregon for a short period for his drinking problem.

As I recall he made several trips United air Linws to S.F. and return, this was in the early or mid 60's

Believe he had [REDACTED] in S. F.

Also a [REDACTED] whose name I only recall as [REDACTED]

(2)

Otto Houdek ( a bachelor) former Air Force crew member was his partner in the tavern and was probably the majority owner. This man is as honest as they come and easy going to the extent that Cooper was taking everything out of the business possible. Houdek would have nothing to do with the bookie end of the business and I believe was the fall guy in the Federal raid. A graduate of University at Corvallis, OSU, Houdek was teaching at Greshem, Oregon high school when the war came along. I do not know his present address but am sure he is still in Portland.

present address is [REDACTED b6/b7C] Portland, Oregon. Apt# 305.

Mac Cooper has always been in bad financial straights, always on the make for a fast buck. He is thoroughly familiar with the entire Oregon terrain, especially, Corvallis, Eugene, and all of eastern section of the state. As a pilot and para- trooper I can not think of anyone better qualified to do the United Air Lines job. A gambler in di[guess: stress] with debtors closing in the job seemed to be too easy.

One thing I might mention these two men Otto and Mac were well aquanted with menbers of the Portland police depart- ment especially detectives who were college buddies and helped get Cooper out of several jams.

As for Cooper having help in the United job that would certainly be no problem with him as he was well known every where and the personality that you could not help but liking which was of considerable help at all times.

His present occupation I do not know as I have not been in Portland since 1971. however, he is still in the Portland are[a].

DB COOPER-53751