The Detroit times., 1909-06-10
NAB TWO MORE
MALTA SUSPECTS
Cleveland Police Arrest Two Ped
dlers In Crusade Against Perpe.
traitors of Extortion Schemes.

CLEVELAND, o., June 10.-Tcn
Italians and Sicilians are closely
guarded IN the jails OF cities in the
various sections of the state as the
result Of crusade led by the post
Office authorities against the perpera-
tors OF Black Hand and Mana schemes
OF extortion and intimidation through
out the middle-west. The latest ar
rests were made in Cley Gland late last
night when TWO Nusso brothers. ped
dlers, fell into the clutches OF posi-
Office authorities and Pinkerton men.
The confiscation OF 4 mass Of cor
respondence leads federal authorities
to believe the Buckeye state Is the
clearing house for Black 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 yet no evi'
dence 10 connect the prisoners with
the plot 10 kill Petrosino, the post
lohice inspectors would De surprised al
nothing. so startling have been the
revelations of the three days crusade
| In Ohio.
Operations Extensive.
From the seaboard 10 the Missouri
river and from Canada TO Mexico tho
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-
gun and il is intimated that tnspec-
tors from other postotfice 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, The officers contend.
The confiscated letters In the hands
OF the postal authorities. the inspec-
tors claim, would convince the most
skeptical person that both societies
are thoroughly organized and operate
along we'll defined plans with but one
purpose in view. The letters so far
examined are from members OF the
societies in Cleveland, Pittsburg ana
Chicago, addressed 10 victims In Gin
cinnati and Columbus. They bear
the same emblems, stamped upon the
same watermarked paper and are
written. apparently, by the same per-
son.
The plan in each case seems iden-
tical. In the first place threatening
letter is sent 10 the victim from al
Ohio town. II this threat TO kill or
dynamite house brought no response
a second letter Is sent from Pittsburg
and finally another from Chicago.
The money thus extorted. II is said.
was distributed among members OF the
gang during meetings held in some
Ohio town at stated periods. Accord
ing 10 the postal authorities. dis
tribution Of booty was made in Belle
fontaine a few weeks ago and within
few hours $4,000 was sent to Italy
through the mails.
Pinkerton Agents Active.
Chief Inspector A. f. Holmes, or the
postoffice 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- |
vania.
Further conferences are being held
at the postoffice today and while the !
inspectors will not give out any dehn- !
lite information il is understood that |
more arrests will be made In Cleve-
land
These Italians and Sicilians have
been caught in the dragnet set for the !
Black Hand and Malta suspects In !
Ohio:
Antonio Nusso. Cleveland: Joseph 4.
Russo. Cleveland; Antonio Vicario,
Denison: August Marfisi. Denison;
Collogoro Vicario, Bellfontaine; Saliva
tore Lima, Marion; Salvatore Rizzo.
Marion: Joseph Batagalia, Marion:
Tony Bicherio. Columbus; Salvatore
Ventola. Columbus.