Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-26
UNDER ARREST,
WARNS PARTNER
WITH WIRELESS
BOY SENDS MESSAGE WHILE
OFFICER WATCHES
"DIRTY FOUR" ARE ACCUSED OF
MANY RoBBERIEs
Gang of Youths Make Headquarters
in Club House Fitted with
Aerial and PiratlcaI
Emblems

" or burglary ana OStenSlDIy eX-
planning the workings of a
wireless telegraphy set to Patrolman
Bowe, Arthur Smith, 16 years old of
| 722 Blade street, called up his chum,
who also is wanted on similar charge,
and warned him that an officer was
on his trail and urged him to leave
the city Immediately
This novel system of warning a con-
federate was new to Patrolman BoWe
and he has not yet gotten over the
shock of having his business tipped
off, by a mere boy.
That the lads were a thoroughly or
ganized band of offenders and that
they were enabled to escape arrest un-
til Saturday by means of the wireless
apparatus Is the statement of the
police.
Several days ago lad was arrested
on a charge of stealing a bicycle. He
was riding the bicycle on Spring street
when he was seen by another boy and
pointed out to patrolman. His ar
rest followed.
When taken to the station the lad
explained he had purchased the bi-
cycle from Leslie Johnson, IL years
old of Blade and Winter streets, and
later produced a bill of sale. The lad
was released and young johnson was
taken into custody.
Names confederates
After being questioned by the police,
Leslie johnson stated he was MEM
Der of the DIRTY Four" and tmpli-
Gated Arthur Smith, John Brown and
Carl Buck and gave the police other
information to the effect, it is said, the
gang had purloined number of bi-
cycles and some of the members had
entered a grocery store at 26l North
Soto street and stolen about $50 worth
of cigars, tobacco, candy and soda
pop.
Acting on this information Patrol
men Bowe and Browning appeared at
the Club house, of the "Dirty -Four"
and found a regularly equipped WIRE
less station and the interior decorated
with skull and cross-bones, emblems
and other banners such as are sup
posed to be used by pirates.
When Patrolman BoWe entered the
nlace he found that I'm addition to the
wireless station and pirattcal emblems'
a finely equipped tool shop, where the
lads, 1t is alleged took bicycles ana
changed them in such a manner that
identification would be almost i'm
AS soon as Bowe appeared young
Smith began to busy himself at the
wireless Instruments Bowe inter-
rupted the lad and told him that he
was wanted on charge of burglary
Demonstrates Wireless
"That's all right" the lad is said toI
have REPLIED. 'I will go with you in
n minute You see / have been ad-
iusting this instrument and want TO
get IT into good working order before
l leave.
knowledge of wireless telegraphy,'
continued the youth glibly. "and am
somewhat proud of my success. Al
Won never have had an opportunity
10 have the workings of the wireless
system explained to you and are VIII
ing to wait few moments VIII sl'"
how 1t is operated"
Rowe exhibited unusual curiosity,
and as he had read of how young
girl once saved passenger traln ny
climbing UP a telegraph pore anu
hreaking the wires and tapping OUT
message, decided to have the mater
avnlained to him. Besides, Bowe had
q siipht knowledge of telegraphy ana
&c a fair telegrapher. His being out
,,,i+tad was due to the fact that II mas
haan some time since he heard the
click of an instrument and 10 tne lacl
that he can receive" only Wneh tns
characters are formed perfectly ana
transmitted slowly.
Calls Partner
"You see this part here began the
Iod while surreptitiously making the
characters "CB," which is the can
For the wireless station presided over
nv Carl Buck, who lives at Blau9 anu
Winter streets. "Well. when pull this
rod ont II enables me to hear other
stations. Sometimes when Point Iona
is calling I hear the operator perfectly:
and have. on sew raj occasions, talked
to him. I also have heard San Fran
cisco send messages, but my nstru-
noent is not powerful enough, and
cannot get all of the letters ike can
when Point Iona Is sending.
"Now. when I want to talk to others
In this city-boys with whom I have
formed a wire acquaintance, l pull the
rod IN about this distance" and suiting
tbe action TO the word the lad adjusted
the instrument and received an answer
from "CB."
81 hear some one talking now and II
Won will wait just moment ! Will see
what he wants." said the lad.
Young Smith then began to transmit,
and the following is said to have been
the message he transmitted to his pal,
Carl Buck
"The cops have found out our game, |
aIl am under arrest. You had better
leave at once, because they have war
rant for YOU and will get you as soon
as they leave this place. Goodby and
good luck Arthur AS.
officer Deeply Interested
"Show me something more about it,"
said Bowe. thoroughly interested. 81
would like to put that hood on my
head and listen What was that fell |
low saying just then?"
"Oh. that was some station I could
not make out" replied the lad. 81 tried |
to find out what he wanted, but all |
could hear was All right; 1 am leaving
now l suppose it was a commercial
message from Point Iona"
The lad detained the officer. explain |
ing the workings of the various instru-
ments, and explaining the ground wire,
(COntinued on Page Twol