Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-07-20
DOPE PEDDLERS GET
STIFF JAIL SENTENCES
Judge Thompson Imposes Penal
ties on Ten Men Ranging From
13 Months to Two Years
VAIN PLEAS FOR MERCY
Severity of the Court Unpleasantly
Surprises Violators of
Law

Judge Thompson in the Federal Court to-
day dealt out stff sentences to ten dope
peddlers who either pleaded guilty or were
convicted during the June term Of court Of
violating the Harrison anti-narcotc act.
The severity of the sentences, which ranged
from thirteen months to two years In the
Federal Penitentiary at Atlanta. Ca. and
fine of $1,000, was an unpleasant surprise
to the Illicit drug dealers and their cohorts
about the courtroom, as they had conf
IDENTIFY expected that not more than the
usual sentence of a year and day would
be imposed
Before the proceedings had gone very
far the prisoners sensed something ominous
In Judge Thompsons manner, and the first
few that were called begged for a chance
TO reform.
You have had plenty Of chance to reform
since the Harrison act was passed more
than two years ago" said Judge Thompson.
and 1t seems to be that you are starting
rather late"
Seeing failure in this plea the others
asked for leniency so that when their terms
expired they could enlist in the service of
the Government for the war. Among those
who made this plea was Tony Penn, reputed
dope king Of Reading, Pa, a young man of
seemingly good education. He said Il feel
that l ought to be sent away to be kept
from the drug habit. II has been my
hearts ambition to get rid of this drug
habit; its been curse to me, and when I
am cured l want to 60 into the army to
show my appreciation for this country"
Judge Thompson dismissed this plea for
clemency with the remark that neither the
army nor the navy would be made the
dumping ground for criminals. Penn was
fined $1,000 and sentenced to two years in
the Federal Penitentiary at Atlanta. Ga.
Another to feel the severity of the court 8
Judgment was Joseph Lewis, of Spruce
ma N GA nP tVi1 lf q
and boxing trainer. who was fined $1,000
| and given twenty months in the Federal
Prison.
| The other prisoners and their sentences
| to the Federal Prison were: Jim Tong.
| a Chinese eighteen months from March 10
| Nate Stark, twenty months from June IL
Joseph Gold, fifteen months: Frank
| Stewart negro, fine of $500. and two
| years from April 16; Fred Meyers, fifteen
\ months; Edward Bailey, fifteen months
John Watson, twenty months from June IL,
and Daniel Sullivan, thirteen months.
George Ginsburg, who is partner in a
second hand clothing firm at Eighth and
| South streets, and who had pleaded guilty
| to having illegal possession of opium, was
sentenced to three months in the Bucks
County Jail at Doylestown. and fined $3.50
FORFEITs GOOD BAIL
William II. Benner. an alleged ac'
complice of Tony Penn in the traffic In
dope in Reading. Pa, failed to appear fol
sentence today. and his bail of $1,000 was
| ordered forfeited by Judge Thompson
| Benner was convicted in the early part OF
| this month A search will be instituted
Immediately by the authorities to appre
hend Benner and produce him in court fol
| sentence.
The Government met with much success
at the present term of court in the prosecu
tion of dope dealers and peddlers. Out o!
sixteen such cases prosecuted by Assistant
| United States Attorney Edward S. Kreml
only two resulted in acquittals. and in on'
of these because the principal witness
for the Government, a woman, told stor.
at the trial of the defendant that was diff
ferent from the one she gave before th'
United States Commissioner and the Crane
Jury. After the defendants acquttal, thu
| woman was arrested at the instance Of Mr.
Kremp and held by Commissioner fol
trial on a charge of perjury.