The Washington herald., 1910-04-03
One of the Most Danger
Gus Bands of Criminals
in America Broken Up
and Leaders Now Serv-
ing Terms in Prison.
BY WILLIAM ATHERTON DU PUY.


Lupo, The Wolf. the proud and naughty
one, the carrier OF the mandates of the
dread society. has been seen to throw
himself upon his face in despair and
weep. The gang that gathered about
them is dispersed, broken IN fragments,
and without a head. For not only have
their chiefs been sent to federal prison.
but along with them eight most active
leutenants.
So is broken up an organization that
has terrorized half of the United States.
gang at the door of which is laid such
crimes as the notorious barrel murder
in New York and the assassination of
Lieut. Petrocino in Italy. So are re-
moved the men who have dominated
thousands of Italian Americans through
fear and are believed to have collected
tribute in a thousand cases. The crime
of counterfeiting has at last been proven
against these men. For a decade they
had escaped punishment largely through
intimidating witnesses. But now they
are in prison for long terms in every
case. So ends a romance of lawlessness
which has but few parallels in the his
tory Of the nation.
Severe Blow Is Dealt.
The Black Hand. said Chief Wilkie
of the Secret Service. has just been dealt
the severest blow in all its American
history A few days ago the Federal
Court in New York City sentenced to
prison eight Italians charged with count
erfeiting. In sc doing il broke up a gang
of eounterfeiters that had been giving
trouble for ten years. But it did more.
II cut the very heart out of the best or
ganized gang that has ever used Black
Hand methods on this side of the ocean.
Giuseppe MOrrellO, leader of these
counterfeiters. was, contrary TO general
belief, the chief of a gang that was,
believe. responsible for 80 per cent OF the
Black Hand extortion that has taken
place in the United States in the past
ten years. Lupo, The Wolf who re-
ceived sentence for counterfeiting at the
same time and who is generally consid-
cred the chief of the Black Handlers.
was in reality but a tool of Morrelo and
MS outside man. Gina, Calechio, Sylves-
ire, Giglio, Palermo, and Cecala we're
the intimate associates Of these and the
men nearest them in all their activities
Last year fourteen others were sent up
for passing counterfeit money They were
lesser stars in the same notorious con-
stellation- With twenty-five of the lead
Ing members of this gang behind the
bars the country may reasonably expect |
luH in the sO-called Black Hand opera |
tons
This statement coming from the chief
Of the Secret Service. the organization !
that knows more OF the workings of this /
underworld of the foreigner than any /
other, is important. This announcement /
OF the manacing of the Black Hand is
of national and world Importance II /
gives 10 an occurrence which at the time /
seemed only the sentencing Of ordinary I.
criminals an Importance that has been
entirely overlooked.
Last Act in Drama.
The sentencing of the MorreIo gang /
month ago was the last act in a blood
spilling melodrama that has been run
ming for ten years. In it Morrello and /
Lupo have played parts that would be
hard 10 exaggerate in the most lurid fic-
ton. In it Old Sleuth in the guise of the
Secret Service men has been ever on the
trail of the criminals. In il there has
been murder, blackmaiI. kidnapping. ex-
tortion, counterfeiting, and fraud in a
thousand phases. The bold outlaw has
laughed his stage "ha. ha" defantly. in
the face OF the authorities The red ban
dana OF the bandit chief has appeared |
and death has followed. The death sign
has been passed to witnesses on the
Tl1eKr
the curtain goes down on the last scene1
the leaders proud spirit is broken with
the contemplation of the cold, dark cell
as a future domieile and he breaks down
and weeps in an abandonment Of grief
Giuseppi MoTrello first came under the
surveillance of the Secret Service when
in 1900 there appeared on the east side in
New York food of counterfeit money.
This had been passed upon small shop
keepers at many places. As nightfaH
approached and the lamps in these abodes
OF economy were not yet lighted, a mild
hammered Italian would make a small
purchase for which he would paw in a
supposed Treasury $ note, getting the
change. Under a stronger light the
money was found TO be counterfeit.
This was the first entrance of the
Italian-American into the field OF counter
feitng. The Secret Service knew little
of their haunts. A force Of picked men
were however. put on the case and be-
fore long the scent led to the resort of
MorreIlo in Elizabeth street. Various
trails eonverged here. The resort was {
raided. MorreIlo arrested and charged |
with the crime. There was convincing !
proof but not sufficient for conviction.
was released but kept under sur I
VIGILANCE. II
OF Italian Origin. {
1t was in 1902 that the Morristown fives {
appeared. so called from the fact that I
they were counterfeits OF the issue Of a 7
bank in that town. The Secret Service I
men discovered. because of certain pecu- T
Iiarities that appeared, that these notes b
we're Of Italian origin. The touch of the
originator of any article Will be left on
Il somewhere. 1t was the sons of Italy
who were passing the money In tracing I
hem the trails of the previous case were n
crossed. They pointed toward MorreIlo. Y
They also led past the Customs House a
md IL was through the officials of that b
service that the manner Of the introduc- v
ion of the bills was discovered. Olive b
,il, under the tariff laws. may come in h
" barrel at a less rate than in the cans. Il
Therefore it is imported in bulk and the n
italian cans are brought in empty for T
Is retailing after landing. Their sus- c
1iclon being aroused by these empty cans, a
he Secret Service men went at them with a
heir can openers. They found bales Of b
ounterfalf money In them MorreIIn and Y