Evening star., 1911-08-30
CHARGED TO BLACK HAND
Rattle the Windows of Residences
Over Mile Area.
FRU1TERER DAMAGED $1,000
Revival of italian Detective Corps to
Ferret Out Ex-Convicts-Out-
rage in Philadelphia.


plosion of Black Hand bomb loaded
with dynamite and guncotton in front
of an Italian fruiterer's at Lexington
avenue and 51st early today ratified the
windows of residences and apartment
houses for a mile along fashionable
5th avenue and awakened hundreds OF
guests in the Hotel PLAZA. the st. Regis
and other fashionable hostelries.
The Internal machine, which the
police say was hurled by a Black Hand
agent from flying taxicab. was one
of the most powerful ever exploded in
New York. 1t tore great hole in the
pavement and completely demolished
the lower portion Of the fruiterer's
building.
Policeman Thrown Off His Feet.
y police sergeant, who stood at a
corner a block above. watched the
speeding taxicab as it slowed down in
the asphalted street and then was sud
denly thrown off his feet when the
crash came. He hopes to be able to
identify the taxicab. which, he says.
was jet black in color and somewhat
unusual in shape.
The fruiterer Charles Romo. who is
reputed wealthy. told the police that
he had received many letters demand
ing money and threatening all sorts
of dire punishment If the cash was not
forthcoming. Romo's loss from the
damage to his stock and building will
probably reach $1,000.
Duplicated in East 2eth Street.
An hour after the Lexington avenue
explosion the police Of the adjoining pre-
cinct reported a similar explosion in
East Goth street. in front of the head
quarters of Anthony Capuco, proprietor
of the Manhattan Macaroni Manufacture
Ing Company. The crash smashed plate
glass windows in four buildings, but did
little other damage.
All the Italian detectives in the city,
seventy-five in number. were summoned
to police headquarters today and assigned
to stem the wave of italian crime. The
seriousness of the situation became ap-
parent today when it was learned that
the Italian government had received
through its consul here a list of crimes
committed by natives of that country
here since the first Of the year, and was
much exercised by the showing. 1t was
stated that the detective bureau has a
list Of no less than 5000 ex-Italian con-
victs believed to be in New York city at
this time.
Kidnapping Cases Reported.
The immediate provocation of the Ital-
ian crime crusade was the two kidnapping
cases reported to the police yesterday and
still unsolved. In addition, police rec
ords show fourteen cases Of bomb-throw-
ing since July IA.
The action of Police Commissioner
Waldo today practically revives the once
famous italian detective bureau, which
was disbanded only month ago.
Building Wrecked in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA, August 3O-A dyna-
mite bomb. believed to nave been placed
in position by persons who had been re-
fused money. was exploded i'm front of
house in the southern section of this
city today, causing considerable damage.
Fortunately. no person was hurt. The
front of the dwelling, as we'll as that OF
the adjoining one, was wrecked, and win
dows in the houses within a radius of a
L block were smashed.
April 5 last similar explosion occurred
in front of the house which is occupied
by Peter Mancuso, merchant. He had
received a letter demanding money, which
the letter over to the police, who were
,ina BILE to locate those responsible for the
explosion