New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-28
Borough Police Fear
Reign of Terror After
New Years.
COCAINE PEDLERS
TRADE AT SCHOOLS
Gunner, Drug Sellers and Pick
pockets Also Prey on Navy
Yard Liberty Men"

Driven from Manhattan and The
Bronx by the relentless campaign OF
the police since the murder Of Barnet
Baf. hordes of gangsters and traffick-
ers I'm drugs have invaded Brooklyn.
The police ia that borough are over
whelmed by the situation, and II IS
feared that despite every effort reign
Of terror murders, hold-ups and rob
beries-will obtain in this section OF
the city with the beginning Of the
New Year.
From many parts Of the borough
there have been numberless complaints
that cocaine and heroin dealers arc
boldly plying their trades, and that
more prohibited drugs are being sold
than ever before IN the history Of
Brooklyn.
The districts around many Of the
schools are so infested with drug ven
ders that the various boards Of trade
and other civic organizations are eager
ly seeking a redemy for the evil.
Even IN Flatbush, in the heart Of tho
borough Of homes" heroin pedlers
have made their appearance, and the
police have been warned TO keep a
vigilant watch in the neighborhood of
Church and Flatbush avs.
Of the section, one young man sold
fourteen papers Of heroin in a few
minutes the other night at the inter
section Of these thoroughfares. All the
drug was purchased by lads apparent
ly under sixteen years OF age.
Her Daughter a Drug Fiend.
A complaint was received from a
mother that she found two papers Of
heroin concealed In one OF her daugh-
ter's gloves. The girl attends high
school. and admitted that she got the
drug from an accommodating vender.
who at q certain hour each day APP
pearcd with supply not only for her,
but for number Of her school com
panions.
Prospect Park is another point that
is giving the police much anxiety IN
their attempts 20 protect the young
people from contracting the drug habit.
Within the last few months it has been
discovered that boys and sometimes
girls were holding scat parties" there
and quantities of tho drug were used
IN the rcvcls. These youngsters were
known as "snowbirds,' and SMILED
and "blcw' cocaine with the case and
nonchalancc OF veterans.
One boy, whose parents tried the
cXpedicut Of locking him in his room
10 break him Of the habit, refused 70
eat for three days and cried continually
for "happy dust" q term used for the
drug lie was eventually sent TO a
sanatorium.
In the Borough Hell and navy yard
sections the police are at their wits
ends
several months ago the officials at
the YARD sent a request 20 Brooklyn
Police Headquarters that the detec-
tives of Che borough act with the led
oral officials % their efforts 20 break up
the sale of ncroin and cocaine TO the
sailors and marines. A general round
MP occurred at that time. Many Of
those arrested were convicted, and 10
some were given long terms in Sing
Sing
The fright inflicted on the drug ped
lcrs by these drastic measures has
long since passed. and it is under
stood that the conditions which now
obtain iu the section are worse than
ever before.
In the last month scores Of Manhat
tan gangstcrs have joined the crowd
who nightly wait for the liberty men
rom the yard. Their part is not only
10 ply the sailors and marines with
drugs, but also TO rob them Of money
and clothes.
In several eases the victims have
been cruelty beaten and left outside of
the yard These men were unable to
Weld sufficient profit TO their a5Sail-
ants. and were made TO serve dual
nurposc one was to show what might
bc expected 10 the gunner and their
associates attacked q man and found
that he was not carrying enough money
60 make their job worth while.
Bandits Impose Iron Rule.
Highway robbery is such a common
occurrence in this ncighborhood that
10 is now taken as a matter OF course.
One salooukeeper admitted that a gang
OF more than thirty gunner, pickpOck-
cts, burglars and others with prison
records used his place for a nightly
rendezvous. There was SO little proht
and so much danger occasioned by
these visitors that he was extremely
eager TO get rid of them.
"But what can ] do he said. "lf
attempt 20 make them get out they
will kin me. and if ] call the attention
of the police 60 the matter the gunner
will rob my saloon II they don't get
me then. they VIII get me some other
night I avn willing to admit that II
is worth the ordinary customers life
10 come into this place after 3 o'clock
But what can ! do.'
In the Williamsburg district the po'
lice have taken the attitude that n the
gunner care TO kill each other the
community is just so much better of
There rs hardly a night passes but thu
crack Of pistols ls heard m one OF
more Of the various dance halls, anc
gleaming-cy gangsters. frcnzied by
drugs, viii dart away after wreaklng
vengeance on some rival gunner.
There are more shoOtinCs ln Will
iamsburg iu one month than I'm the
widest Of any Wild West city IN d
wear. The police records Will show
that one feud over there cost three
lives. Seventeen were wounded. The
cause OF these shoOtngs was the steal
ing Of one gang leaders hnancee by
another Of equal rank.
Many Of the Rangsters ousted from
Mulberry 80. and Whereabouts have
crossed the Williamsburg Bridge and
ioined forces with the Brooklyn gun
men. The police fully realize the seri-
ousness oil the situation, and close
watch is kept on the "mobsmen' A
number Of these are OF the worst type
of the city's criminal, and they Will
often fire . house 20 that they can
collect loot from nearby apartments
during the excitement
- -, .H~ nn InIInD