New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-20
Walters in Some Fashion
able Cafes in Robbery
Plots, She Asserts.
"WHITE SLAVES" AID
IN LURING GUESTS
More than 100 Men Now
Under Observation,
Says Prosecutor.

An arrangement between women OF
the underworld and many walters IN
some of Broadway's most fashionaoie
hotels and restaurants whereby men
generally bachelors from out OF town
are steered into dives and often
robbed by the badger game, was re-
vealed yesterday in the District Az
torney's investigation Of police graft
These waters, according to the prose-
cutor, have from one to half a dozen
girls working for them, and they make
as much money, it is alleged, by rob
hing intoxicated guests as they do from
the women.
This state of affairs, whica james Il.
Smith, Assistant District Attorney, SAID
astounded him, was described to the
prosecution by an eighteen-year-old
girl who came here from Odessa. Rus
STA. about two years ago. According 10
her story, she fell into the hands OF a
Greek waiter known as John Larido'
alias "Makis," who met her at the pier
in New York. He spoke Russian she
said. and although she declined his
offer to take her to her parents home
in Brooklyn, he followed her there ana
tried to make love TO her.
Enticed from Her Home.
Six months later he took her to a
hotel in Brooklyn. Soon after that, she
said, Larido had her working for him
in the streets of Manhattan, and found
a room for her in Harlem.
az worked in this way for him for
more than year." the girl told the
District Attorney. 81 made as high as
5000 a week at times. ! knew of girls
who caught big game from the hotels
for robbery. They made $4,000 week
at times. In May, 1916, was arrested
and committed to the Magdalen Home
at Inwood. After a time the matron
became interested in me, investigated
my case, got me paroled and found a
position for me at So week.
81 hadn't been working long before
Larido found me and threatened me be-
cause would not go back on the street
for him. He finally induced me to steal
$50 from my employer. That sent me
back to the Magdalen Home. From
that time Larido was constantly beg
ging me to escape and join him. lie
tried to reach me by letter and by tele-
phone, and finally the matron got on his
trail"
According to the District Attorney
the facts in the case were turned over
to him by the home. Last week ar
rangements were made to trap the
waiter.
Disguised Woman Causes Arrest.
In company with Miss Ida Lippmann,
a parole officer at the home, the girl
met Larido at Third Avenue and East
104th Street on Friday night, followed
by Detectives McGlynn and Duffy, OF
Lieutenant Costigan's vice squad
Larido's alleged victim, who goes under
the name of Annie Schwartz. intro
duced Miss Lippmann TO Larido as n
woman OF the uHueTWOrlu. one Nds
made up to fit the part, with blond
wig and appropriate facial embellisl'
ment. Evidence was obtained WHEN
led to Larido's arrest on a charge OF
white slavery.
ave have one hundred walters OF
this type under observation" said AS
sistant District Attorney Smith. "They
are not employed, as you would think
in the cheap restaurants, but in some
of the best known places and in some
of the busiest hotels near Broadway
and Forty -second Street.
1--WE are investigating charges that
some of these walters are working in
concert with proprietors of certain
hotels along Broadway, or with thcli
clerks, whereby men are enticed ia
rooms by women who are clever badger
artists, or work the 'creeper' game. VIZ
have the complaint of one out-of-towr
man who swears he lost $4,000 in q
hotel not far from Broadway and Forty
second Street"
More indictments charging white
slavery are predicted for this week, anc
several against policemen for bribery
and extortion are expected.