New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-18
New York and PhiIa-
delphia Society Folk
Heavy Losers.
EIGHT OF GANG
TAKEN IN RAID
Believed to Have Obtained
100000 During
Year.

Five men and three women, believed
TO have been associated with tho same
band Of polished soindlers who made
their headquarters until few months
ago in a Forty-second Street afternoon
tea room, we're arrested yesterday IN
raid on a fashionable hotel by United
States Secret Service operatives IN
Chicago.
The local gang feeced wealthy men
and women here Of 100000, 1T is de
clared.
The same band, according 20 the Fed
eral authorities, have operated in Ne"
York. Philadelphia, Baltimore and Chi
cago. Two of their victims were
women.
The beauty Of the women members
Of the band and the fascinating powers
Of their male companions were used
10 mulct men and women who fell into
their clutches.
Knox Working on Case.
John {. Knox, Assistant United
States Attorney, returned last night
from Philadelphia, where he had long
conference with Frank Gabarlno' o.
the Philadelphia Office OF the depart
ment Of Justice. He and Gaosrlno
have been trailing the gang ever since
the disclosures here some time ago sIo
the Butler-Winpenny case IN fnIadel-
phia last January.
alike i'm society. the Church and the
business world the band is said to have
obtained $4,000 in cash at one maui.
Bv threats Of exposing an affair with
2 handsome member OF the gang they
frightened a Philadelphia woman OF
GREAT wealth and social distinction mo
giving them $4,000.
The names of the Chicago men ana
women swindled by the shsrpers are
known to Hinton G. Clabaugh' DIVISION
chief Of the bureau Of investigation OF
the Department of Justice, but nc mas
not disclosed them and says he VIII
keep them secret.
While eight arrests were made m
the Grand Avenue raid, 1t developer
that the Syndicate" has at least sixty
members throughout the country, one
third Of whom are women. inc head-
quarters of the gang are IN Chlcago'
New York and Philadelphia.
The organization has worked ss
whole since the first OF the year. IL IS
believed the sharpers have cleaned UP
I'M that time Sl,000,000. The govern
mont officials are frank to admit that
for each known victim OF the plach-
mailers there arc probably twenty un-
known. The known pronts ol inc gang
are said TO total S20O,OOO
Among victims in Chicago, PhHs
deInbia and New York fifteen arc said
"a No of the highest social station.
Several are declared TO be millionaires.
Mr.. Clabaugh said only three victims
of the blackmailers in the entire United
states had declared themselves willing
10 face publicity and testify against the
criminals. ~,
One of those ready to tell is Mrs.
Clipper. Another is Mrs j. Bolton
Winpenny, one Of the leaders OF Phlla-
delphia society.
Gang is Stylish Looking.
The members Of the criminal trust
arrested in Chicago arc well educateo'
nolisbed in manner and good looking
rhev dress in the latest fashion. Inc
wardrobes found in their apartments
might we'll cause envy IN a coIlllon
leader or society bud.
avery man in tho bunch said DC
fective Sergent William Crot, mad a
dozen pair Of shoes, as many pairs OF
gloves aud what looked TO nc IKE
fortune i'm neckties. never saw so
MANY good clothes in my lie"
Three women arc among the prison
crs. They are Helen Eyers, Mrs. Ed
ward Donohue and Mrs. Frances Chap,
man. or Allen. They are young ana
prctty. and arc said to have been the
iurers by which their male comrades
brought wealthy men into, their
clutches. The favorite hunting
grounds Of these women IN Chicago, IL
IS said, have been Peacock Alley ana
the Pompeiian Room IN the Congress
Hotel and the the dansant at the
Blackstone. =
The men arrested gave the names OF
Henry Russell, Edward Donahuc, James
Christian, Frank Crocker and GEORGE
Bland.
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