The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-22
CRUSADE AGAINST THE MALTA
ITALIANS ~ THE MINING RE-
GIONS TURN UPON 1T.
Vigilance Committees Formed to Put n
stop Ia BIackna!i. Face Slashings
and ArsOn-Msny Alleged Mafia Lead
ers I'm Jail-Communities fin Fear.

ana ArS0n-Many Alleged Mana Lchu-
ers I'm Jail-Communities fin Fear.
WILKRsBARRR, Pa, Jan. 14.-Thero has
been a rebellion in the upper end Of the
anthracite coal region against the Mafia
which for years has oppressed whole COM
munities of Italian workers in the mines.
Refusing longer TO submit to the blacknail-
ing the face slashings, stabbings and shoot
ings which have marked the operations OF
the Malta hereabouts the Italians Of Car
bondale, Old Forge, Edgerton and num-
Der Of small hamlets in the vicinity of these
larger places have organized for their own
protection, and already have sent several
agents OF the Malta TO jail In Carbonate
the St Joseph Protective Association is the
name Of the snti-Maha organization, and
in Old Forge it is called simply the Vigilance
Committee
The crusade against the Malta started in
Carbondale and wns brought about by the
murder of two members Of the protective
association. Joseph Flanaro and Frank
Ferrizo who were aiding in the arrest OF
n man accused OF eXtorting money. Since
then mass of information has been col
lected concerning the different ways in
which tho Malta operated and the number
of its victims.
The main plan OF the Mafia's operations
was simple. The directions came from the
hen Dis Of the society in New York.
Agents were installed in each town or
hamlet where there were a number OF
Italians. Usually these agents worked or
made a pretence Of working for living
sometimes in the mines, sometimes con-
Quoting small store or saloon but always
with some apparent means Of earning n
living.
These agents secured lists of victims,
selecting those who could be readily fright
ened which were scnt to headquarters.
Every few weeks two or more strangers
would arrive in the town selected for
the scene Of operations, and each Of the
marked victims would be called upon to
pay the sum assessed. II he refused he
was threatened.
If threats failed. and the case was con-
sidered OF enough importance, another
man was sent on from New York. The VIC
tim was pointed out to him, and in some
manner the victim suffered.
Sometimes his face was slashed diagonal
w, inflictng q scar which marked him for
life. At other times he was stabbed in
the legs or arms or shoulders, the agent
taking care not TO inflct mortal wound.
Sometimes the victim WAS shot in the legs.
AitGT sutU III tADtlltiCF Ailt Nl'Ntlll VI
his relatives were usually glad TO pay the
assessment.
Another method prevniled at Old Forge.
There men known to be Malta agents waited
upon Italians and asked them TO join the
Special Home Society. or some such or
gania.;ucn. The initiation fee and monthly
| dues were fixed according TO the amount
a victim was expected to pay. Sometimes
the initiation was $50 and the monthly
dues $lo-this usually In the case OF saloon-
keepers.
The society was supposed 10 be beneficial,
It was but only to the half dozen Malta
leaders who we're its officers
One man who refused 10 Join told the
police that seven men waited upon nm,
seven revolvers were thrust in his face,
clothes, and he was forced 10 hand over
SEQ more, $40 for each man. The following
month he was compelled TO pay SO dues.
Frank Gr1go, saloon keeper, objected
to the society holding up a man FOR SIC
in his saloon Four men with razors then
threatened to cut his head on unless he
paid $40. He paid.
jim Scabo, a ealoonkeeper. refused 70
Join the society and was told that his house
and saloon would be dynnmited. He
defed the men, armed himself and kept close
watch upon his premises and was not
harmed.
Peter Tennetti. who also defled the society,
received two letters one demanding 81 600
or his life. the other 81 900 and saying that
IL he refused he would be killed on sight.
He bought p shotgun and revoivers and
went about armed.
The other night he saw man running
toward the hotel. and without waiting to asl;
questions fired and wounded him. The man
was an American running for late car.
When the citizens Of Old Forge decided to
tured and jailed Mike Sirian. John Ricca,
Peter Sala, Santo Talafario, Philip Gcmini
and Frank Sellotu.
Rafeal Scolissa told the police another
instance OF the society's methods. He
had a quarrel with man, Sam Pegilone.
who has since disappeared and is suspected
OF being n leader OF the Malta. Later two
friends Of Pegilone's waited upon him and
said Pegilone had gone to Philadelphia to
get two men TO cut Scolissa' face. but
thoy could be kept away II he paid SIG,
their fare 10 Carbondale and return. Soolis-
ga 3 mother paid the money at once.
Quarrels were picked with other victims
and the same game worked.
Another scheme was to sell for several
dollars tickets for raffles or balls which we're
never held. Other victims paid money TO
get n big man who was In trouble out OF
iail meaning n leader of the Malta who
had perhaps never seen the inside OF a
A source Of much profit was the establish
nent of a store by the Maha. The Italians
were iOTCel 10 Duy IIDlI iit hkCllt bll NIrOll
and at the end Of each month we're told
thew owed so much, usually far in excess
Of their bill In fear Of injury they paid.
One Malta agent who reached the region
penniless early in December sent s275 10
his mother in Italy for Christmas The
postal receipt was found in his pocket when
he was arrested
Among those arrested Is John Costa OF
New York who is charged with shootn z
Pasouale Cerrtd Il Is alleged that both
are Malta leaders and that they quarrelled
about a division OF the spoils and Cerritti
threatened to tell the police some OF the
secrets Of the society.
Frank Munoulo is charged with demand
ing $50 from Salvatore Pettnotte under
threat of cutting his throat and burning
his house Louis Soalzo is accused by
Alhino Rosa and his wife with demand
ing SEQ under threat Of killing them and burn
ing their house.
The police are now looking for the olive
oil man. as be Is called. BE seemed to he
the chief agent Of the society and visited
the region every month OF 60. ostensib ly
10 sell olive oil. He is known TO have given
the local leaders instructions and to have
taken away a large sum Of money, which
the heads in New York demanded as their
share.
Although the crusade has been success
fu 80 far, the Italians are fearful OF re-
b,,4 he MaHa That ia evident from