New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-20
u. S. Will Put Unmar-
ried Persons on
Stand First.
MANY PROMINENT
PEOPLE IN FEAR
Raid on Gangs Head
quarters Reveals False
Badges and Seals.

/ Philadelphia, Sept. l9. 9.-Follo"Ing
sensational developments in the case
against members OF the nation-w'd
blackmailing syndicate in this city to-
day among them the discovery Of the
headquarters of the gang and the con
fscation of government badges, United
States seals and hundreds of fake war
rants it was learned tonight that
within the next few days government
officials will produce several important
victims unmarried who will accuse
different groups of the gang OF eNtort-
ing money from them.
The introduction OF these ne"
charges against the members Of the
syndicate. numbering about SIXTY IN
all. will permit the government to
round UP every active consplrator and
multiply the number OF counts possible
now TO bring against them.
And if these witnesses do not come
forward voluntarily the Department OF
Justice officials. in order to WIPE ou'
the gang. will force a number OF prom
, inent persons TO the witness stand.
The government IS now IN posi-
ton 20 force this issue, since they
have evidence involving the blackmail-
inr Of many persons II force is nee
cssary. those least likely to suffer
will be brought to the stand.
MANY on the Anxious Seat.
Al tho present time there are more
than hundred prominent persons
men and women in different parts OF
the United States who are awaiting
tho government officers decision in
fear and trembling Many Of them are
leaders socially in their own cities and
Lnovn socially and in business life all
, over the country.
Frank Garbarno. agent of the De
nartmcnt Of Justice in this city, who
initiated the prosecutions OF the syn
oicotc and has conducted 10 great
eytent the entire search over the
countrv. said that it would be the pol
;cv of the Department of Justice ofi-
cials 20 protect TO the greatest extent
nossible the victims of the blackmal-
rr; who we're married and who would
suffer most By the publication OF their
acts.
The inference from his remarks was
that in case il became necessary those
leas, likely TO suffer from the conse-
auences of publicity would be called.
He admitted that the department now
could force the witnesses to TESTIFY.
Butler Held in $4,000 Bail.
William Butler, charged by the gov
f. crnment with being the mead OF the
Matchmaking gang, was held In $4,000
hniI today. Soon afterward the gov
eminent officials displayed a complete
sci of counterfeit government badges,
seals and papers seized IN this city
The Importance of the government
se;zure is that it revealed for the first
time in this city complete plant for
or organized blackmailing syndicate
snch as was discovered by the govern
ment officials in New York when they
arrested Robert A. Tourbillon last Jan
uary.
Matchmaking gang imperSonating gov
.rnment officials il Is necessary TO nave
considerable paraphcrnal'a. nat ths
national blackmailing syndicate nad
I'll this paraphernaiia mere IN fhlla-
JaInhia. indicating that this city was
orn of its main centres. was shown
wher Attorney John c. Knox. the spe-
,iai Government prosecutor, opened the
r,vsterious ,v tin japanned box brought
i, nv Garbarino. The toX contained
cornterfeit United States sea several
counterfeit Secret Service and United
States marshals' badges. together with
lies Of counterfeit United States war
rants.
Badges Used for Extortion.
With these instruments the black
ma;lers would make their victims. be-
liarn that they were in danger of ar
rest under the Mann white slave act,
I'D the fake government agents OF the
Hisckmailing gang would then offer to
bmsb up the matter for cash consld-
Grafton. r;..l c,a.os
Continued on page 5. column