The evening times., 1900-10-09
TOO EAGER FOR A VOTE
Philadelphia Man Offers Money for
Naturalization Papers.
CaD1nIy Walks Into n Trap Lnid for
Him by Quaker City Secret Service
Political Ofice-Must Answer d
Bribery Charge for His Action.

| PHILADELPHIA. Oct 9.-Usually on
| the alert for violators of the law the off,
| cials in charge of the local headquarters
| of the Secret Service Bureau in the post
Office are, in most cases, successful In
apprehending these suspected of crime.
Yesterday, however, one of their number,
Matthew F. Griffin, made an arrest which
Will go down in history as one of the cas-
lest and at the same time most peculiar
| that have ever been made by the depart
| ment.
The defendant is Gennerla Robilotta,
who resides at 1881 Carpenter Street.
Robilotta is charged with bribery, it being
alleged that he approached Operative Grit
I'm and gave the latter S5 to obtain for
MIN fraudulent naturalization papers.
Rohilotta was told to be seated while the
necessary papers were obtained for him.
| Meanwhile Griffin, whose identity was un-
known to the alleged briber, quietly Slip
ped into the United States MarshalS Of
| fee and procured a warrant. Led to be-
| ieve that he was being conducted to the
naturalization court, Robilotta was cour-
teously escorted to the cage in the Mar
shal's office, and before he realized what
| had occurred found himself a prisoner.
Later in the day he was given hearing
before United States Commissioner Craig
and held in $500 bail for a further hear
ing.
The only witness examined at the hear
ing yesterday was Secret Service Opera
tive Griffin. According to the testimony
submitted, the prisoner irst approached
messenger on the third floor of the post
office building and asked to be directed to
I he United States Naturalization Courts.
Upon being informed that the court was
not in session, Robilotta expressed de-
sire TO see some one who could procure
him the necessary papers. During his
conversation with the messenger, 1t is al
legged, the man intimated that he was will
Ing to pay for the Tapers, provided that all
parties concerned would remain quiet
about the matter Requesting the man to
wait for a few minutes, the messenger re-
paired to the Secret Service Bureau and
acquainted Operative Griffin with the
stTanger's de sire to procure the natural
ization papers In testifying, Griffin stated
that he approached the man and enquired
what he could do for him.
Il want to have my naturalization pa
pers made OUT
But the court is not in session at this
time of the year" Griffin informed him.
That's all right the Secret Service
man credits the prisoner with saying.
You can easily get a last years blank and
SUBSTITUTE tHt proper udlt
But lon't you think this is risky busi-
ness?" asked Griffin.
Not at ali, RobiIotta is alleged TO have
replied You make out the papers and I
viii pay you for it,
How much do get for doing this %
questioned Griffin.
Before replying. the man thought a while
and then. according to Griffin. said;
7 II pay you So
tifying, telling the man that it was small
recompense gor such a risky piece of busi-
ness. oh, that's all right he said; you
can get the court SEAL He further In
formed me that he was desirous of gettin g
a political job but was not eligible owing
to the fact that he was not naturaiized He
formerly voted he said. on his fathers
papers. Noting that l hesitated, he placed
the S. in my hand together with a card,
which he said contained the names of two
friends who had promised to voueh for
him
The card contained the name of Salvatore
Palitrecio, of l116 Amin Street and Vito
Gererardi, of 719 Federal Street
Continuing his testimony. Griffin said:
I Informed the man that l thought that
could get somebody who would make out
the necessary papers. He appeared salts
fed and waited in the United States Dis
trict Attorneys office until I returned"
Owing TO the absence of the prisoners
counsel Commissioner Craig postponed the
hearing until this morning deeming it ad-
visahie 10 give the accused man the benefit
OF q cross-examination.
United States Deputy Marshal Abraham
Myers, who is witness in the case. made
the arrest. According to his version of the
case Robilo ia was fully convinced that he
was about 10 obtain the naturalization pa
pers and innocently walked into the cage"
After the warrant had been made out il was
handed to Myers to serve. He found the
prospective prisoner calmly waiting in the
United States District Attorneys office.
Waving the warrant above his head. Myers
said: Here's your paper; it's made out;
just follow me, please
Without suspecting the trap that had
been so carefully laid for him, Robilotta
arose, and accompanied Myers to the mar
shals Office. Upon arriving at the door
OF the :'cage" he instfnctiveIy halted
That's all right" urged Myers, walk
right in."
Quick as flash the whole scheme dawn
ed upon Robilotta. Before he had time to
offer resistance, however. he was pushed
into the cell and the door quickly bolted.
The prisoner subsequently admitted TO
Deputy Marshal Myers that he was en-
ployed by clothing concern at Tenth and
Market Streets and earned 50 a day He
will be represented at the hearing today
by counsel.
SWALLOWED FALSE TEETH.