The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-10
JOHNSON'S SLEUTHS COULDN'T CONVICT
 SALOON KEEPERS


 Axel Johnson's Eagle Detective Agency sleuths were routed in the city court today when the first really contested liquor raid cases in which they figured, were thrown, out of court. The evidence was of such a f1insy nature that Judge Wilder in terrupted the first of two cases, asked the prosecutor point blank if stronger evidence was not forthcoming, and then ended the case by discharging the accused.
 L. Mullaney and William J. Heaphy Their saloons are in South Main street, the latter the Garde Hotel, and the former a little south of the hostelry. Both were charged with selling liquor on Sunday, Dec. 26, the stormy Sabbath following Christmas.
 Interesting facts as to the methods of the Eagle Detective agency were brought out in cross examination by Attorney J. E.. Klein, representing the accused liquor dealers, although the two detectives were very unwilling to answer the pointedly personal ques- tions fired at them by the counsel for coincided with the claim of Attorney Klein, that the nature of the men s occupation, their salary. and their methods should be known to the court. The agency is in pay of the Law Enforcement League the mem bership of which is not disclosed.
 Mullaney pleaded not guilty. Att torney Henry Greenstein, the prose- cutting liquor agent, called as his first witness John H. Collins, who said he was an inspector of the Locomo- hlle Go. working nights. and de- tective of the Johnson staff by day. He and another detective, Frying L. Dearborn, went to the vicinity of Null Ianey's saloon about g o'clock Sunday night, Dec. 26, met three men on the street near it and asked where they could get a drink. One of the trio escorted them to the rear, through a dark alley south of Mullaneys, open and sold them two rounds of drinks. They took whiskey, and paid 10 cents a glass. Collins said he kept the second drink in his mouth until he reached the street, then spat it into a bottle, and kept it for evidence. He produced it in. court this morning.
 Under a gruelling cross examina- tion, Collins said he came here from Middlef1eld, Conn.,, nine months ago, and worked for the Locomobile Go. since. He admitted he was paid by the detective agency, and when or. dered by the court, gave his pay as $2.50 day. He worked under the direction of Johnson, he said.
 On the day in question, he had gone first to a Willard street saloon, but couldn't get evidence.I Then he went to 126 Reilly street, where he failed. At 162 Hallett street he said he had secured drink. Then he went to the Garde Hotel and then to Mullaney's, and got drinks at both places.
 Asked who served the drinks, he said the man told him he was a bar tender for Mullaney.
 ''Is he here?" insisted Attorney. klein,, looking about the court room
 q don't see him. he replied.
 Could you identify him ?''
 '.No, sir. 1t was dark and couldn't get a good look at him.
 Are you detective?" persisted Klein.
 Got a license ?''s
 eyes, sir" The witness produced a card that apparently met with dis approval of MT. Klein for he tossed it back with an angry gesture.
 Collins was kept on the stand for questions about his methods of doing business.
 When Dearborn took the stand, he had hardly gotten we'll under way when Judge Wilder turned to Prose- cutor Greenstein.
 DO you ScrlOuSIy contend that you can convict the accused of this of fence ?''
 Attorney Greenstein appeared in grave doubt.
 The state has got to prove all the necessary elements in this case be- yond a reasonable doubt" continued the court. "One of the elements is that this man who served the drinks was the servant of the accused.''
 We can't do that,'' admitted At torney Greenstein
 "Then I'll find the accused not guilty" said Judge Wilder.
 He asked if the next case was of similar nature, and Attorney Green stein admitted it was. Without awaiting the action of the court, Prosecutor Greenstein announced, that with the consent of the court, he could enter nolle. This action was taken, and the cases terminated.
 Another case in which evidence gathered by the Eagle sleuths is de- pended upon to convict the accused is that of Joseph Sehovnec, an elec- trfcian living on the third floor of a six family tenement at 162 Hallett street. His house was raided yester- day and a quantity of liquor confis- cated. The case was continued until Jan. IS at the request of counsel. aVg VrVtE n