Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-17
THE K-EASY WAR
County Detective Langhorst After
Two Hundred of Them.
POLITICS PLAYING no PART.
District Attorney Johnston Says No Dis
tinctiOn Will be Made.
CASSIDY KEEPING BOTH EYES OPEN

before Alderman Reilly Saturday afternoon
against the IA 'speak-easy" proprietors are
only the beginning of general crusade
against class of citizens of which about
200 are liable to be arrested for illegal
liquor selling within the next few
days. 1t may be said, too, that the
warfare is not being made for political pur-
poses. The dealers against whom informa-
tions have been made are men of Republican
and Democratic faiths, and those yet to be
prosecuted will be informed against without
regard to politics. 1t was reported in the
First ward yesterday that County Detective
Langhorst had list of 96 names of illicit
liquor sellers against whom informations
would be made to-day, and that the majority
of these would come from that ward. 1t
was also stated that Langhorst had gone
out of the city to avoid the newspaper men.
TAKING SOME PRECAUTIONS.
Repeated calls at his house on Hemlock
street, Allegheny, yesterday afternoon and
last night failed to find the gentleman at
home. The supposition was that he did not
want to give any information about the in
tended warfare for fear that the dealers
would take the hint and change their quar-
ters When District Attorney Johnston
was seen at late hour last night he talked
rather cautiously about the matter. He
said:
''It is the duty of some citizen to proceed
against all violators of the law. The de-
partment seems to think it is not their duty,
and since Agent McCali's term of Office has
expired, there is no one left to do the work
but the county detective. I don't know abb
solutely that Mr.. Langhorst has any addi-
tional names just now, although he may
have, but will say that as fast as names
and witnesses are furnished you can rest
assured that the people who are running
illegal places will be prosecuted. don't
care who they are, how many there may be
or from what section of the city they may
come"
THE POLITICS OF IT.
''It seems little strange that this move
should be made just at this time-so close to
the election" was suggested.
"I don't know that it has any political
significance, said Mr.. Johnston. ''Those
names against whom informations were
made Saturday may have been furnished by
some one connected with the Democratic |
headquarters, but if they were do not |
know il"
'How long will it be before other infor-
nations will be made?"
''Mr. Lsnghorst has charge of all that |
work, 1 cannot tell. Just as fast az names
and evidence are furnished prosecutions will
follow"
Chairman Foley. of the Democratic City
said yesterday that he did not
know ANYTHING about the matter, but he was
,,-o tbo hod NOT orno fod frorn
his committee. W. J. Bremen also denied
having any knowledge of the sffair. He said
be did not think there could be any political
significance attached to it, unless the move
would only be made against those "speak-
easy" proprietors who are alleged to have been
sheltered and protected by the Department
IF Public Safety, for the good they may be
,ble to do at to-morrow's election. But as
he move seems to be general one, and it
was not likely hearing could be had in
anv of the cases until after the election, he
lid not think it possible that it was being
lone for political effect.
MORE LIvELINESS COMING.
In this connection it may be stated that
A lderman Cassidy will make it lively for
he neople in the First ward tomorrow,
f his word is to be taken for it.
About two months ago he caused all
# the disorderly houses in his ward tobe
losed for several days. In these houses
here were nearly a hundred repistered
'oters. The Aiderman's point is that these
men having no nxed place of residence were
hereby deprived of their citizenship. He
tated yesterday that he had the names of
ach one of these, and tomorrow he will
,eep a careful watch over each polling
'laee, and will cause the arrest of ali those
Vho attempt to vote Although he is candi-
late for re-election and is having hard fight,
e says he is not anxious for the support Of
his or the liquor element. He says he will
ave lnformations ready, so that there will
e nothing to do but to fill in Names and
very man who attempts to vote who is! not
ntitled to he will put them in the peni-
entiary if possible.
CARRYING ON THE WAR.
Alderman Cassidy says that whether heis
lected or not he will go into the License
ourt and appear against all applicants who
ave been selling illegally during the year,
nd he lntimates that he has some evidence
lat will startle the applicants.
The speak-easy run by Andrew A. Romer
562 Fifth avenue was yesterday raided by
detectives Shore, Coulson and Bendel, who
rrested four boys. Romer and his wife got
way, but will be taken to-day.
Romer had barber shop and conducted a
ourishing illicit liquor business in the rear ]
the shop. He was raided few days ago,
nd is now under bail for illegal selling.
lie returned to his business at once T
tier securing bail. Yesterday he man. =
ged to gain an inkling of the de- =
ctives' approach, and was not n
| the building when they arrived, though Il
e returned later and accused Mr.. Hamil- {
n, who lives in the upper part of the house I
ith having informed upon him. Hamilton
id last night that he intended to prosecute
omer to-day for pointing a revolver at him y
i'd threatening to kill him.
Inspector McAleese will also enter addi- y
onal lnformations for Sunday selling, sell n
g liquor to minors and without iicensa | b