The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-11
NAB TWO MORE
MALTA SUSPECTS
Cleveland Police Arrest Two Ped.
dlers In Crusade Against Perpe.
traitors of Extortion Schemes.

CLEVELAND, o.. June lo.-Ten
Italians and Sioilians are closely
guarded IN the jaiis CT cities In the
various sections OF the state as the
result Of crusade led by the post
loffice authorities against the perpera-
tors OF Black Hand and Mafia schemes
OF extortion and intimidation through
out the middle-west. The latest ar
rests were made in Cleveland late last
night when two Nusso brothers, ped
dlers, fell into the clutches OF post.
Office authorities and Pinkerton men.
| The confiscation OF I mass Of cor
respondence leads federal authorities
TO believe the Buckeye state. is the
clearing house for Back Hand and
Malta operations IN the principal cities
OF the United States. and they are fol-
lowing a we'll marked trail that may,
lead them 10 the slayers OF Petrosino.
the New York detective. who met a
foul fate in his native% land last
spring. While there is vet no evil
dence 10 connect the prisoners with
the plot 10 Kill Petrosino. the post
office inspectors would he surprised at
nothing. SO startling have been the
revelations OF the three days crusade
| in Ohio.
Operations Extensive.
From the seaboard TO the Missouri
river, and from Canada TO Mexico the
operations OF the Ohio Malta gang are
shown 10 have extended with amazing
evidence OF success.
The federal authorities are today
convinced their chase has only be
] l.
tors from other postoffice districts will
be called out 10 assist in crusade
that will sweep the entire country.
The belief that the societies OF Black
Hand and Malta are myths. will be
dispelled when the prisoners are
brought 10 trial, tho officers contend.
| The confiscated letters In the hands
OF the Iostal authorities, the inspec-
tors claim, would convince the most
skeptical person that both societies
are thoroughly organized and operate
along well defined plans with but one
purpose in view The letters so far
examined are from members OF the
societies in Cleveland. Pittsburg ami
Chicago, addressed 10 victims in Gin
cinnau and Columbus. They bear
the same emblems, stamped upon the
written. apparently, by the same per-
son.
The plan in each case seems iden-
teal. In the first place a threatening
letter is sent TO the victim from all
Ohio town. II his threat TO kill or
dynamite a house brought no response
a second letter is sent from Pittsburg
and finally another from Chicago.
Ia
was distributed among members of the
gang during meetings held In some
Ohio town at stated periods. Accord
ing TO the postal authorities. a dis
tribution Of booty was made in Belle
fontaine a few weeks ago and within
a few hours 81. 200 was sent TO Italy
through the mails.
Pinkerton Agents Active.
Chief Inspector A. F. Holmes. OF the
postoffce department is directing the !
statewide crusade. He is assisted by /
Inspectors f. F. Hutches. W. L. Day !
United States district attorney Mar
shall Chandler and other inspectors and \
Pinkerton agents who have been &C
tive in Black Hand raids in Pennsyl-
yania.
Further conferences ara being held
at the postoffice today and while the
inspectors will not give out any defn-
tie information it is understood that
more arrests will be made In Cleve-
land.
These Italians and Sicilians have !
beer caught in the dragnet set for the /
Black Hand and Malta suspects in /
Ohio:
Antonio Nusso. Cleveland; Joseph !
Russo. Cleveland Antonio Vicario. !
Denison; August Marfisi. Denison:
Collogoro Vicario. Bellfonlaine; Saliva
tore Lima. Marion; Salvatore Rizzo,
Marion: Joseph Batagalia, Marion;
Tony Bicherio. Columbus; Salvatore
Ventola Columbus