The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-15
ANOTHER ARRESTED
IN BLACKMAIL PLOT
And BAIL Is $4,000
r. A. TOurbillOn. Alias Don
Collins. Believed to Be the
Brains Of Gang.
PRAISE FOR NJ
AIDING GOVERNMENT

Robert A. Tourbillon. alias Don Col
Tins, the man said by Federal agents TO
b tho brains of the Matchmaking gang
chat has been extorting money from
wealthy men under threats Of arrest
Nr violation OF the Mann white slave
law. was arrested yesterday on a
Federal warrant charging him and
William Butler with conspiracy, and
held In 10000 bail.
with Butler under arrest in phila-
delphia on complaint OF Mrs. J. Bolton
winpenny. "a wealthy widow of that
city. and Tourbillon locked up in the
Tornbs, the Federal authorities were a
little more willing to talk about the
case. which they admitted appears tn
he the biggest conspiracy of criminals
that has been ferreted out In years.
The activities of the gam were by no
means limited to extortioE under the
threatened bludgeou Of the Nam act.
promotion of bogus stock companies and
any other ways of acquiring easy money.
Although victims OF the gang are still
reluctant TO come forward because OF
the damage that would result 10 their
regulations. Assistant United States At
tomey John c. Knox. who has charge of
the case In this city. feels that through
the evidence Of Mrs. Winpenny. who
appeared as complainant against
Butler. q lever has been given the pros
gang. Mr.. Knox was %outspoken yester-
day in his praise OF Mrs. Winpenny. who.
b said, showed courage in consenting
TO aid the Government.
Mrs. winpenny Here.
Mn. w%inpenny. who Identified Butler
- one Of three men who went to her
home in Philadelphia last June and
offered TO prevent the arrest or one of
her sons II she would pay over $4,000,
came to this city yesterday to try TO
identity Tourbillon. who Is better known
a. Collins. n went to the Federal
building In the afternoon before Collins
was arralgned and he was taken before
her. but whether she was able TO iden-
fifty him or not, Mr.. Knox refused 10
say on the ground that 1t would inter-
fere with his plans.
Collins was arrested on the Federal
warrant after he had been released IN
the West Side police court on a charge
Of robb!ng telephone boxes. ..
Tcurbillon, or Collins. Is a tall. well
xroomed man of % and has a face tina
might easily be attractive. When he
wXs served with the warrant he SAID,
IAN right" ard smiled genially. he
fore Commissioner HouGhton he was
equally at ease.
81 ask bail of 100000" said MI
Knox, "hccause | believe this man Is the
head and shoulders of the entire con-
spiracy. and because of the character oi
The biackmail. If he were released on
nominal bail, he would probably find an
opportunity to leave the country
Edward J. White of Lewis S~teuyvesan'
Chanlcr's office, attorney for Tourbillon,
.tbjec,cd to the amount Of bail as pro.
libi.iyc, but Commissioner Houghton
said
"From what | have learned OF this
charge belieN, 1t is one OF the wors'
thai has been brought before me, and
] will fx the bail at $4,000
Mr.. Knox then asked and obtained q
~po<tpnneinent of the examination unit
January Is.
MIR. Knox said after the arraignmen'
that he felt confident enough evidence
has been obtained 10 warrant the arrest
If the entire ganx. lie said there woulc
probab bly, lie several more arrests In the
next few days.
Hard 10 Get Evidence.
II has been the hardest case the De
partment of Justice agents have had &c
deal with for "A Ions time. The opera
- h.. 49, n q 4. dad ntH.r 4 VA