Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-19
BLACKMALERS LOST y
HALF THEIR GAINS AT
HAVANA RACE TRACK
Planned Killing" but Reaped
Disaster, Says Government
Prosecutor-Enjoy Lux
ury Nevertheless
HIRED LOVE NOTE WRITER


Thousahds Of dollars muicted from
wealthy dupea by the 81 100000 interna-
tlonai baciSmaiiins syndicate was played
on the ponies at Havana. Cuba, and lost.
according to Assistant District Attorney
James c. Knox. OF New York, deputlzed
ah Assistant United Statos Attorney Cen
cral for the Investigation OF the swindie
Ifaif Of the profits OF the blackmall sys-
tenn, or 100000, Il was learned today. was
taken TO the Havana races by the members
Of the gang. They apparently had planned
10 make killing" but disaster overlook
them.
Word from Chicago today revealed with
what luxury the members Of the gang sur
rounded themselves. In ono room eighty
four pairs Of shoes we're found, all OF ex-
pensiye manufacture. In the room OF one
Of the feminine members OF the gang were
found seventy-one 'fs sshionable parasols aud
many gowns OF good quality.
Love letters written by an eastern col
isge professor, whose activities are being
investigated, were used effectively in the
operations Of the blackmail syndicate. it
was said today
The professor. whose identity was with
held, was declared 20 have been on the pay
roll OF the gang, receiving bonuses In addl-
tion. His letters were said 20 have been
copied and mailed 20 victims by the women
employed by the blackmailers TO ensnRre
men OF wealth.
william Butler. alleged genius OF the
gang, was arraigned before United States
Commissioner Long In the Federal Build
Ing today A tall horid man I'm the
thirtles. he wore a dark green suit and
green Fedora hat, and appeared quite
jaunty.
Before being arraigned Butler. who lives
at COZ North Thirteenth street. maintained
his calmlke attitude concerning his al
legged attempt TO extort $4,000 from Mrs.
Susan q. Winpenny, of 1432 North Broad
street
BUTLER DENIES GUILT
when asked by a reporter IL he had
shared in the s1,0O0,0O0 graft" Of the gang
Butler held up his ten fingers.
Look at them" he said do they look
like I got a slice? No diamonds, no jewelry
except a watch. which bought with money
honestly earned. My brother and 1 are in
nocent."
His brother George Butler, also is under
arrest here.
While he was waiting in the United
States Marshars office. Butler was visited
by a pretty young woman, fashionably
dressed and wearing jewelry who talked
with him for some time She was said to
be his wife. Grace Butler alias Grace Is
rael. whose arrest here mas enormously
reported in a dispatch frosE Chicago today
ANOTHER ARREST PROMISED
The arrest OF another man was said &c
be imminent, following evidence and
the discovery of additional Philadelphia vic.
tins of the blaekmailers The names Of
all the dupes were guarded by the Fed
eral authorities.
Assistant United States District Attorne,
Knox and Captain William Ofiey, chief o
the Investigating bureau OF the eastern
division of the Department of Justice, cam
over from New York this morning to confe
with United States District Attorney Fran
els Fisher Kane and Frank Garbarino spe
cial agent of the Department of Justice IL
this city.
Fake" stationery OF the Department o.
Inspection" coupled with the Winpenn,
case. was primarily responsible for the ar
rest OF the gang, made In a fashionabl,
South Side apartment In Chicago on Satur
day night This started the officials on tn,
right track, they being further aided b,
Buffers mention of Mrs Regina A. Kip
per, wealthy divorcee OF this city, VIII,
may prove TO be one of the Governmentl
star witnesses In Its case against the gang
In the custody OF Operative Daniel, of tn,
Philadelphia office. and an operative from
New York, Mrs, Klipper left yesterday aft
ernoon for Chicago. There she is expected
To Identify the persons arrested I'm that CITY