The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-13
CALI IT BUM RAID
COURT LET'S ROSENBERG
DEFENDANTS GO.
Hot Row Between Cop Who Descended
on Saloon as Gambling Den
and Counsel.

There was a lively tilt in the Fourth
Precinct Police Court today between Po-
liceman Kabis and Lawyer James NJ. Nc
Dermit. during the arraignment OF Morris
Rosenberg, a ~saloonkeeper, of Sc Prince
street, whose place was raided at the
Instance of Kabis Saturday evening. Both
men emphasized their remarks by pound
ing their fists on the desk, and at one
time Clerk Pearson asked that the pro-
ceedings be tanned down, as it interfered
with his clerical work. Each time that
Kabis and the member Of the bar and
their right on the desk 1t meant a blot
on the work being done by the clerk.
When Kabis raided the Prince street
saloon, alleging 1t to be a gambling estab-
llshment, he arrested, among others, Isaac
Finger. of so Prince street. Finger Is q
constable, justice of the peace, politician.
and an agent, and in court today admitted
that he was a champion pinochle player.
After listening to the debate between
Kabis and McDermit, and the testimony
Of Plainclothesmen Reilly and Holzhauer,
Judge Herr turned to Kabis and inquired:
us thet your case?' The policeman re-
piled that it was, and the Court then an
nounced that the defendants were found
not guilty.
Kabis was the first one called to testify
and he stated that he went to Rosen-
berg's place Saturday afternoon and spent
an hour there watching Finger and two
others playing poker md auction pinochle.
Finger, according to Kabis, appeared to
be suspicious and handed the poker deck
to a man who sat in a corner and started
in at pinochle. He said that he saw one
Of the party lave twenty cents and this
he secured with the pinochle deck. Kabis
concluded by saying that he had two
drinks while In the place.
Don't you believe it, your honor2''
shouted Rosenberg.
At this point Kabis was called on by
Lawyer McDermit to respond to a running
fire Of questions Both warmed up far
above normal.
why didn't you arrest these men when
they were playing poker?'' was the first
question asked"
Because 1 wanted to wait and get them
right"
How long have you been a member Of
the police Department."
About a month"
Didn't you call on Finger to latch the
door?'
NO, but I sent him out to get Reilly
and Holzhauer."
'When did you do thatT"
After 1 had placed him under arrest
Didn't you arrest the man who re-
celved the poker deck from Finger?"
mo. I did not"
well. why didn't your
Because l didn't think there wal
enough evidence against him."
At this point the debate ended and
Reilly and Holzhauer told Of having Wis
tied the place after they received a signal
from Kabis during the afternoon, and
when they went in they said they found
the men playing p~inochle. and after hav-
ing a drink they walked out. They both
stated that they went to the place a Sec
ond time after being told by Finger that
the place was '.pinched,' and they went
In and were told that besides Rosenberg,
Finger and Samuel Hautzis, of II Prince
street, and Abraham Molopis, of 81 Hill
side place, was under arrest. Neither was
cross-examined by the defendants counsel
Finger then related a dramati version
of the affair and told how Kabis -four
ished his loaded revolver, etc.
your honor" begaln Finger, II nevel
played poker in my life. but l am a.cham
pion plnochle player. l admit I PLAYED
pinochle in Rosenberg's place Saturda,
afternoon and that Kabi suddenly an
nounced that the place was pulled and
drew his revolver. He called on me tt
latch the door and then yelled Finger
Get Holzhauer and Reilly! 1 did as ht
told me. as 1 am a special officer, and
when 1 returned he said, Finger. you are
under arrest.
The courtroom was crowded with
friends of the defendants, and they termed
the affair a bum raid.