New-York tribune., 1908-02-07
ITALIANS FIGHT CRIME
BIG AND FIERY MEETING.
Protective Association Formed to
Dozen Black Hand.


this city or as many OF them as could crowd into
Bollettino Hail. at No. 17S Park Row. held a
demonstra,ive mass meeting last night and organ
lied the Italian Vigilance Protective Association
which will have for its manifold objects the better
ment of the Italian citizens In New York the stamp
ing out of crime and also the protection Of the
Italian from the general oboquy which the speak
said. attached him because Of the activity o.
| supposed Black Hand members.
The speakers In impas ssioned addresses. with the
righteousness and gestculations of which only
members of the Latin capable protested
against the common condemnation of their coun-
trymen. bettIed the Importance of the Black Hand
and dscredited the theory of the existence ot
such an organization. at the same time denouncing
the police for their neffciency in failing to stamp
1t out if it really existed.
Apparently presaging some action or statement
al this meeting that might call for explanation.
Commissioner Bingham earlier in the evening gave
out statement on the Black Hand situation with
suggestions for It's treatment The Commissioner
recommends small secret service. probably at
high paw. but he saws New York needs a half
dozen high class detectives anyway. Incidentally
he praises Lieutenant Petrosino. with his made
quate force. for his work at the head OF the
Italian bureau.
Somehow it understood generally that the
meeting last night which was called by the Itai-
ian newspaper "BolIettino deli Sera," was to voice
a protest against the Blank Hand and consequent
y Frank L. Frugone. who presided received s-v-
Italians who had been invited to speak Moreover,
there present six Italian detectives from Po-
lice Headquarters and uniformed men from the
Elizabeth street station. But If there was any
foreboding of trouble it without reason. for
the only excitement was that aroused by the hery
orators in the hearts OF the audience
FOR TRIBUNAL. OF ARBITRATION
1t was decided last night to prepare an appeal
TO all the Italians in the United States for the
organization of a permanent tribunal of arbitra-
ton, which is to settle all disputes arising be
tween their countrymen TO defend them from abuse
and to defend their rights.
II decided also TO prepare a memorial to the
Italian government asking that all royal immigra-
ton commissioners. pastors and priests be In
structed teach the Italian immigrant the laws.
customs and requirements of this country and to
discourage the carrying of arms The latter also
will be the mission OF the subcommittee which
will be appointed in the different Italian districts
of New York Dy the association organized last
night. of which Mr. Frugone elected president
The vigilance committees will also try 10 prevail
on their countrymen to have hesitacy in telling
the police everything that might De- necessary IN
the detection and punishment OF crime
DR.. C. Valini of Chicago University, who is presi-
dent of the White Hand Society. recently organ
iZed in that city to slap the other hand sent this
greeting to last nights meeting:
Members of the White Hand Society have in
assembly approved your patriotic action, and ex-
pressed their best wishes for the fullment of your
object"
When the chairman called the meeting to order
the hall crowded the door and many stood
half way down the stairs The police were
pietely engulfed in that gathering of enemies to
crime. Every phase of the Italian in New York
represented except the members of the "Mano
Neira-' The boOtblack. the cobbler the merchant
and the banker all there. and each tried
outdo the other in his shouts of Viva" and
'Bene!' in approving of the speeches.
THE NEW PRESIDENTS SPEECH
Mr. Frugone referred in his speech to
cent crimes and went into extended detail regard
ing Italian sentiment the crimes ascribed to
Italians. Continuing he said in part
Now. my dear friends the newspapers report that
who use blackmailins. kidnapping and bomb throw
ing for their criminal satisfaction.
Therefore we gather in this mass meeting TO con-
suit ana study if Italians only are the bomb throw
that such is the fact will certainly use our
fortunate men to understand that this great re-
public will not tolerate such preparations any fur
only upon the criminals but upon the innocent peo-
pLGuthe honorable business men the aw-abdins
This country has opened its and given
shelter and protection TO all comers-poor or other
wise-and the Constitution of the United States
the possession of property and social secur
ity to every Individual meanwhile IL prohibits and
condemns all crimes against property and personal
safety and existence -. .., -. ,,,,,s. o,,,,
will stand united against this gang or criminals
and evildoers-whatever their nationatty may ne De
bringing 10 this Repblic their dsgracefuI charaC
ter and abominab1e crimes which may result in the
prohibition. for an unknown length OF uihe' Vi aI
undesirable citizens
r CiambelI editor of Italian newspaper
sroke depreca tngly of the police theories regard
ing the Black Hand and. referred 10 the letters |
of the latter as mere childs play. He said that
even the smashing OF window in an Italian dis |
trict was magnified into Black Hand outrage
Commissioner Bingham said In his statement; |
There is only one way handle the situation |
The general need with the whole ponce prop |
lem is one of men, that need exists WIN !
the Black Hand squad. In addition. there Is need |
for a small force of special men to nSht the per-
petrators of the Black Hand outrages. These men
would come high. because | would want reputable /
men and il would be hard to obtain them for this |
service Their relation TO me would have 10 be
different that OF the other policemen
NV idea is have a small secret servtce-say
not more than ten men, who would report secret
" TO me and who would not be known to the
police force. / would want the right TO hire and
ire them unless they showed results Some of |
hese men would require high pay, but the thing
New York needs is a half dozen high class detec-
ives. something ii has never had Give me these |
and in a month I'll have a row OF arrests which
will result in convictions that viii astOnish YOU
Petrosino has done good work but the situation |
mas great for him and his little squad |
O handle He has only a men. they
al known, which partly destroys their usefulness.
Ny idea in regard to the secret service is that
certain amount of money should be appropriated.
say 81. 200 To begin with and that II should be i'll
.reaSed later. | would not want handle this |
money. should be required its |
expenditure TO a supervising committee Of three |
three. reputable CitZenS,-Sav the |
Mayor. the Controller and a newspaper man any
hree reputable citizens who would audit and check
10 the bills
1t would be simple enough. this plan 1 believe
hin. fIay,