New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-29
MYSTERY IN BOMB CASE
POLICE SAY GIRO KNOWS.
Explosion Tzcenty Hours ahead OF
Time GiUen IN Letter.

Captain Martens of the Mulberry-st- ponce
station. is convinced that Poggroriat Gro MN
self knows who placed dynamite in the doorway
of his grocery store at No. % Elizaoeth-sI
early yesterday morning, damaging the stoIe
and breaking windows across the street. ou'
happily injurng one. No arrests were iiiau0
yesterday and the police apparently had no
clews that might tend to the discovery OF those
responsible for the explosion.
From the fact that the last threatening olack
hand letter, which Giro received on SATURDAY
asked him to take $1,000 to box behind
Bronx elevated railroad pillar at 10 O'Clock last
night and that the explosion occurred at leasI
twenty hours before he could possibly comply
with the demand the detectives believe the eN-
plosion was designed rather to intfmldate wen
to do Italians In general and forcibly to remind
Giro In particular of his appointment than 10
wreak bodily harm on him or his. On the other
hand. the discovery of an unused stick Of dyna-
mite outslds on the sidewalk went TO show that
had not the perpetrators plans miscarried partly
the damage would have been FAR more deadly
and more far reaching than it was. The dyna-
mite stick was about the length and breadth OF
a mans two fingers. 1t wrapped in paper
secured by coils of fine copper wire.
A curious feature of the case is that those
who were gazing at the doorway within sixty
seconds after the explosion declare that the
and Van Buskirl two of Captain Martenss de-
tectives who happened to be near By. are pos
tive that they arrived the scene within one
minute after the explosion. and that not a soul
to be seen the block. Their statement is
borne ont by a woman living opposite the gro
Gerry who declares that she was awake at the
TINA and. on hearing the defamation, mmedi-
ately looked out of he- window. to see the entire
block clear of people. eXcep. the two detectives.
These facts lent color TO the theory that the
dynamite either thrown from a neiGhbor-
ing window or roof, was exploded by time
cap. They also increased the difficulties to he
overcome in solving the
Both Liebers and his partner declare that the
front door was locked. and that they had to un-
fasten it by gaining an entrance from the rear
OF the store. This would seem 10 dlscredlt any
theory that the perpetrator was inside the mouse
at about the time of the explosion. captain
Martens declared that three weeks aE7. when
Giro asked for revolver permit, he adrnl'teo
and on being taxed with knowing their names
Immediately from his seat in the police
station and went away.
Captain Martens declared that Giro had only
shown him the first letter. Even If We get the
man men VINO perpetrated the deed he sald
II doub- whether We shall be able TO convict
him. Since 7 came here there have been at least
a dozen cases OF serious assault, and have not
obtained conviction because the complain
ant through fear would make no affidavit.
Detective Sergeant Petrosino. who is an Ital-
ian. had long talk with Giro. There is no
question in my mind that the letters genu-
inc" he said. They represent an attempt 70
blaCkmail Giro out OF a sum OF money. Nearly
all these Matchmaking Italians are Sicilians
They never hetray each other. 7 have investl-
gated upward Of fifty such cases. and have
found that many prominent Italians. believed 10
have money. have received threa tening letters
somewhat similar in tone to those that Giro
ceived. When arrests have beer made In these
cases the compIainants refused to appear. either
through fear from some other motive"