The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-28
4 SELLER OF BAD BOOKS,
Warren E. Price, Proprietor of a
Market.Street Store, Ar.
rested.
Was Decoyed by the Postal Inspectors
and Caught Using the Mails in
His Business.

Warren E. Price, proprietor of the
Paper-covered Book store at 1908 Market
street and publisher of several monthly
periodicals, was arrested by the Federal
authorities yesterday for using the mails
in connection with the marketing of publ
cations of questionable character.
The postal laws forbid the use of the
mails for the circulation of literature of a
vile character, and Price was caught by
Postal Inspector James W. Erwin by
means of the customary decoy tactics.
Prices case is of the same class as those
of Solomon Levin and Isidor C. Wood, two
dealers now serving sentences in the Ia
media County Jail. The books which
these men were the means of distributing
for the revenue that was in the business to
them were such as F. w. Broback, the
Ukiah publisher, arrested Monday, pro-
duced. Levin, Wood and Price were evil
IDENTIFY all patrons of the same producer
Inspector Erwin corresponded as 81.
Schwartz" Ga dealer in cigars and books,
and dated his lett ers Crescent City, Cal. !"
The mythical 81. Schwartz" asked for a
list of such books as Price could supply
with his quotations OF prices for dealers.
Price took the bait, and in his reply to a
second letter gave quite a list of filthy
books with their prices.
In MS first letter Price informed
Schwartz" that the books would have
to go by freight or express, as such books
cannot go through the mails" He re-
ceived sum of money in registered let
ter from Schwartz" and also the instruc-
tons, in line by itself at the bottom of
Schwartz letter, "Seno by express"
Price sent several books, but did not heed
the instruction. He was foolish enough to
send them by mail.
Mr.. Erwin had sent S. to Price to pay
for copies of particularly vile work. This
Price replied, he did not have in stock at
the time but he expected to be able to
accommodate his correspondent later.
However, Mr.. Erwin concluded he had
evidence enough, so the money, upon re-
quest for it, was returned in a letter which
Price posted at station B.
Deputy United States Marshal Moffett
arrested Price at his store. The circum-
stance of the Schwartz" correspondence
was recalled to his mind, and he felt en-
lightened enough to ask for a continuance
so as to get time in which to prepare a de-
tense. Judge Heacock granted him until
Thursday and fixed his bail at $1,000.
The postal authorities feel that they
have complete chain of evidence against
Price. They will not rely upon anything
out SUCH publications. as any Jury Will have
to pronounce obscene, and upon these
they will base their case.
Price was considered to be very up-to-
date dealer. He published a monthly
magazine known as the Book and News
Dealer" and in recent number of it be
took occasion to severely criticize the le-
gitimate local press for some things which
Price considered improper.
Price was largely instrumental in the
conviction Of Solomon Levin, the Stockton.
street dealer. He looked upon Levin as
rival, and very incautious one, and he
sent an anonymous letter to Mr.. Erwin at
the time containing lot of Levin's circu-
lars.
He was very cunning man himself, but
he has fallen into the trap at last. He had
a supreme contempt for the powers and
methods of the Society for the Suppression
OF Vice. On one occasion he explained his
contempt in this wise:
Secretary Kane says we must not put
them (the questionable books in the win
dow. Come inside if you want to see."