Evening star., 1916-09-19
BAIL FOR MEMBERS
Of BLACKMA|L GANG
Federal Authorities in Chicago
May Postpone Temporarily
the Formal Hearing.
FIX BOND AT $25, 900 EACH
FOR THREE PRINCIPALS
Rounding Up the Men and Women
Who Composed Widespread
Swinding Syndicate.

CHICAGO, September 19.-Release on
bond Of several members of the alleged
blackmau syndicate arrested by federal
agents here, and possible continuance Of
their preliminary hearing, was in pros
pect today as witnesses from eastern
cities arrived in Chicago to testify against
the seven persons under arrest.
James Christian, one of the four men
arrested with three women in the raid
here Saturday night, was freed on bond
late last night. His bail was reduced
from $1,000 to S2,500. when officials ad-
mitted they had little evidence to connect
him with the alleged fleeing Of MRS.
Regina Klipper Of Philadelphia, the prin-
cipal witness against the defendants.
The bail of three other members of the
syndicate may be reduced today. The
alleged leaders, however, probably will ba
held under $4,000 bond each. unless
United States Commissioner Foote. before
whom they are to be arraigned. can be
prevailed upon by their counsel to re-
duce the amount. These three are Helen
Evers. Edward CDoc") Donahue and
Harry ("Slick'D Russell
Mrs. Klipper Reaches Chicago.
Four members of the alleged band of
blackmailers may escape prosecution.
federal officials admitted today.
Mrs. Regina Klipper arrived under
guard of federal agents to appear
against the alleged blackmailers at the
hearing this afternoon. Hinton & Cla.
baugh Of the United States Department
of Justice said he was confident Mrs.
Klipper would identify Edward Dona-
hue, Henry Russell and Mrs. Helen
Evers as directors of the organization.
The case against the others under ar
rest" Clabaugh said, 'is doubtful. 1
am satisfied. however, with our case
against the first three"
Mrs. Klipper to Give Details.
Mrs Klpper is expected to tell the full
details of her alleged swindling BY the
gang and her alleged abduction to Mon
treaI. federal officials said.
The story Of the blackmailing Of the
Philadelphia woman involves Frank
Crocker, a member Of the band. who is
alleged to have fieeced her. quarreled with
his confederates over division OF the
spoils and then turned states evidence
against them Crocker is to be given
immunity.
small children. met Crocker in a New
York hotel while there on buying trip
for Philadelphia concern. She and
Crocker. according to the confession
Crocker is said to have made to federal
officials went to an apartment after
dinner and evening at theater.
Impersonated o. s. officers.
Shortly after midnight, according to the
confession. Edward Donahue. William
Butler and George Irwin knocked at the
door All wore badges Of the government
secret service. bogus warrant was pro-
duced by them for the arrest OF the couple
for violation of the Mann act.
crocker, affecting surprise and indigna-
ton, wrote out check for $4,000.
There doesn't seem any way out Of
1t except for both Of US to kick ln was
the advice he gave Mrs. Klipper. She ac-
cepted it.
her story to federal authorities members
OF the band kidnapped her. according to
government charges, and spirited her
away to a hotel in Montreal. There she
was held prisoner for six months. ~
The story of Crocker's adventure with
Mrs Klipper is in the files OF Commits
sioner Lewis Mason's court. before
which Crocker testified at a hearing
June Z.
Shrink From Publicity.
The federal authorities here. 1t was
learned today, were besieged yesterday
by several wealthy men and women. who
claimed to have been victims OF the syn
dicate and who pleaded that their names
be kept out of the case. They were given
to understand, 1t is said. that no names
would be revealed unless it was necessary
In order to obtain convictions.
Tho secrets developed by a mass OF
,ettera. photographs and other tnstru-
ments Of blackmail. said to have been
found in the apartment where the gang
was arrested will not be revealed, fed
eral officials said.
while federal authorities here were
nrenared to arraign for preliminary
hearing seven members Of the alleged
gang who used the Mann act as their
chief weapon, detectives fortified with
Information obtained from two alleged
members Of the gang who confessed.
made arrests in other cities and spread
a dragnet for H. C. Woodward. sought
as director in chief of the syndicate.
Hinton G. Clabaugh of the United
he had sufficient evidence to convict
the gang without exposing the names
of some of their wealthy victims. 1t
was understood that none of the names
of the victims would be disclosed at
the preliminary hearing. These vic
tims, principally wealthy men whose
firtations with pretty women led them
into traps from which they escaped
only on payment of large sums. will be
shielded from publicity except as a last
resort, 1t is said.
Expects Removal to Philadelphia.
The evidence secured in two cases.
already generally known. authorities
said, together with a mass Of incrimi-
mating evidence found in the raid on
the apartment where the seven were
arrested, will be presented to the fed
eral commissioner. Clabaugh expects
the seven will be ordered removed to
philadelphia for trial without a stub
horn resistance before the commits
sioner.
Developments In the case reported to
(,ahau1h Included the arrest at New
YORK today of Frank Croker. alleged
former member Of the gang, who is said
10 have confessed to a part In the swim
di,ng of MRS Regina Klipper Of Philadel-
phia and the arrest az philadelphia Of
WilIiam Butler, held there In connection
,,,th an alleged blackmail plot against the
| late Mrs. Susan G. 8. Winpenny.
Clabaugh also revealed the source Of
| the information that led to the raid. He
said that Dick Barrett and Edward J.
Thompson, two members OF the syndicate,
| had confessed. They probably will be
J given tnnun10. Their revelations, said