Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-08
UP FOR BLACKMAIL.
Police Claim He Tried Old Game On
 Saloon Keeper.

New Haven, May S.-Thomas F. Morton, said to be the New London correspondent for Bridgeport week ly paper, having circulation in that city, was arrested On State street Tuesday night and held in bonds of S2,000 on charge alleging black mail. Constable Frank w.. Decker, who made the arrest, declares that he took from his prisoner S10 in marked bills, money which Joseph Soltz, liquor dealer at 135 Bradley street had just previously handed to the accused and which Soltz says was the price of immunity from another write up" in the next publication of the Sunday publication. Morton is we'll known in New Haven, having been employed on papers in this city. Constable Decker hurried his pris- oner off to police headquarters, where Morton was bailed out by Daniel J. Lucy. The accused entered a coun- ter charge against Constable Decker, alleging assault and battery. Decker was placed under $100 bonds. Jo- seph Soltz went surety.
 Soltz was written up" at consid- !erable length in the last edition of the Bridgeport paper, in which 1t was charged that Soltz kept a side door saloon on Sunday and was doing a big Sunday business unmolested by the police. Soltz declares that he got wind of the fact that he was going to get another write up next Sun day and at opce determined to offer the correspondent money to insure immunity. He met a friend of the correspondent with whom he wished to negotiate and arranged for a meet ing with Morton. The friend was to introduce him to Morton.
 Soltz claims that he had two con. ferences with the friend Monday and at about II o'clock he went with him to hotel, where he was introduced to Morton. After the introduction the friend, Soltz says. went into the ho- tel, leaving him to talk with Morton. Soltz further affirms that after con- versing for short time about write ups" he tSoltzl handed Morton s1O Then he pulled his handkerchief as a signal to Constable Decker, who had secreted himself nearby.
 Before meeting the correspondents friend the last time. which was the time the two met to go to the hotel. together. Soltz affirms that he took five bills from his wallet. In his place of business he marked each bill with small letter "" in ink on the face of the paper. The bills consisted of one S5, one s2 and three SI denomI- nations. These he laid out before him and taking pen and paper wrote on the paper a designation of the marks on each bill. giving the de. nomination and date and other des- ignating features. The paper was handed 10 the police after Morton 2 arrest along with the bills. which were turned in by Constable Decker
 The correspondents friend was not implicated in the arrest. being absent at the time. Soltz afirms that inc friend made overtures to him limiting al the best way in which to prevent further attacks in the Sunday pubIi- cation. The latter denies that ha Is connected with the deal except in SO far as he offered to introduce Soltz to the correspondent at the earnest solicitation Of the former.
 Lieutenant Of Police Jefers was. f' Is understood. a witness Of the meet ing leading ID to the arrest and vfI probably be a witness when the case comes up.