New-York tribune., 1907-11-23
THE WHITE HAND HERE
CRUSADE ON THE BLACK
Leading Italians Plan to E.rtermi-
nate BIackmGilerS.

MANY ot the leading Italians - this city are
planning 70 form IN association 70 eEtermtnate the
Black Hand Society. i VIII be a similar organiza-
ZION 70 that organized in Chicago, known as the
White Hand Society With the cooperation Of the
American people and the CITY officials, tie members
say the city will soon be rid OF the backmaileTs
Among 1Lose who have started the movement are
Joseph X Frarcoliui. president % the Italian Saw
tnEs Bank and Commissioner Of Public Schools
Agoztira de Biaei editor-in-chief Of the Italian
newspaper III Progresso'. eX-Judge Palmieri,
Tasoua-e 7 SinoreIt. secretary n the savings
hank and James March. director q the same
hank
IN speaking - the proposed society. NJ. Fran
c0ini rz6 that about three months ago an attempt
vas made 70 organize such q society. but in some
vav the rhirs fell through This thing wa@
thought q long before the Chicago people took Il
up' said The bank president and it's very essen
f'ai that something he done soon possible 70
stamp ont these tlackuaiers. always did favor
such movement and viii lend every possible aid
toward the good cause All need is the coop
Grafton of +re American people and the heads Of
the police departments 70 make the movement \
success"
Frederick Hirti. an associate editor of III Pro
Eresso.' who assaulted by member ot the
Black Hand three weeks ago. aud stil bears fne
scsr his neck and who has taken an active in-
n getting the society under way. said that
Re would not rest until every Black Hand gang vas
broken up OF jailed. NJ de Bias said that in q
recent interview with Police Commissioner B,0E-
ham he suggested many WAYS # improving the
conditions relative 70 The Black Hand societies II
told the Commissioner then that the only way -
break I'd these gangs Of blacBmaicrs' he said.
was 70 employ intel gent Italians who We're
familiar with Italian customs, particularly those
who know The slums.
The Commissioner said that r. vas not within
his power select of this kind. as they are an
civil Service ana he has 10 appoint aS they come
slso told the Commissioner thar statistics showed
that many Of the criminals were of th- younger
generation born in this city Of Italian parentage
snd educated in this country. II IS not the faut
~ the Italian race alone that the young italian
gets his first lesson IN crime from The young Amer
:can criminal
Several other influential Italians said yesterday
rH7+ when the association was formed resolutions
would Be adopted calling the Mayor 10 urge al
POSSIBLE aid IN thu carrying on of the work We
don't want 70 20 ahead on this without the aid "F
the American people" said one Italian. because
g. " are under the profession Of the American
government st is the duty of the American people
- work in harmony with US and help 70 protect our
recrle = the police work with rs In this move
Y7ent % DO away with these backmaiiers We VIII
.sge III our efforts 70 assist them.
IF -ya get started with the work not only VIII
80 break up The Black Hand gangs. but these
other blackmailers. such fake railroad and
steamship ticket agents and these so-called small
italian bankers who ara distributed all over the
eitv aeecing the ignorant and laboring Italians
out Of their money every day