New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-28
Death Dealing of 3 Italian
Gambling Rings Re-
vealed to Swami
Three of Prisoners
Under SIS, 900 Bail
!
Seven Others Held Incom-
municado-Story Is Borne
Out by Investigation


police roundup yesterday after Ralph
D4niello. known also as Ralph the
Barber" had confessed to District At
torney Swami intimate knowledge of
twenty-thrce hitherto unsolyed murder
mysteries.
An amazing revelation was made by
Oaniello of three powerful italian
bands, in Manhattan and Brooklyn,
which controlled the gambling houses
in the Italian quarters, levied tribute
upon the keepers and cold-bloodedly
ordered the death of those who re-
fused TO pay or in other ways threat
ened the power of the gambling trust
Ten "bosses"-a coterie with abso-
lutte power of life and death-were at
the head of the three gangs. accord
ing to the confession made to the Dis
trict Attorney. 1t was these leaders
who so jealousy guarded their special
domains from invasions Of rivals that
the death Of the attempting usurper
vas the invariable penalty. These are
the men "higher up" for whom the po-
lice dragnets of the city have been cast.
More Arrests TO Come
eve have merely scratched the sur
face" said Assistant District Attorney
Renaud, of the Homicide Bureau. last
night after Daniello's confession. Dan
iello has not yet completed his cOnfes-
sion, by any means"
Of the more than a score of killings,
details of which were given by Dan
iello, these were made public last night
By District Attorney Swami:
Giosue Gsllucci and his eighteen
years-old son. Lucca, shot to death in
the sons coffee house, in East l09th
Street, May II, 1915. The older Gal
lucci was known as the gambling king
Of Harlem and the leader OF the white
slave" traffic in its Italian district.
Giuseppe De Marco and Charles Lom-
bardo. shot to death July 20, 1916, at
81 James Street, during a card game.
Brother Also Murdered
Salvatore De Marco, brother of Gu
seppe, found dead under the Manhattan
end of the greensboro Bridge, Oc-
tober 20, 1916. his throat slit from ear
to ear. According 10 Daniello's confes-
sion 70 the District Attorney. Salvatore
De Marco was killed because news had
reached the ears of the gang bosses
of BROOKLYN that he was organizing a
band to avenge his brothers death.
Joseph Nazzaro. better known as Joe
Chuck" a notorious gunman, Tor many
years the terror of Harlem's Little
italy. was lured on an automobile trip
TO Yonkers. March 16, 1917, there shot
through the head. and his body thrown
upon the railroad tracks. where II was
found. mangled. the day following.
To this intimate history OF murder
as a side line to gambling, the au-
thorities hope 70 add rapidly crimes
committed further away in time ana
locality. They are convinced that tne
rambling trusts have been mulcting inc
italian quarters out Of HUNDREDS OF
thousands yearly for az least elghI OF
nine years. and Danlello mas areaGy
told of shootings and staooligS III
Long Island City, Yonkers and Con
.,ectic,It in addition TO those in Man
haitian and Brooklyn.
Had Been Refused Funds
Daniello's "saueal" TO the District
Attorney was brought about, according
20 the detectives who arrested MN, py
a combination Of belated conscience
fear Of the gang leaders, and anger be-
cause of their refusal to supply MIN
with funds or t. send money to a wiie
and four children, who, he said, were
starving in their home IN Italy.
Daniello was arrested about ten day
ago in Reno, New, in connection Win
the murder Of Louis De Marc, Killed
i'm MAY, 1917, at cafe at li2 Nav!
Street. Brooklyn, during quarrc'
over the proceeds derived from the IL
legal sale Of cocaine. Daniello was
brought 10 Brooklyn by Detectives Do
Martini and Pucciano, and questionet
h. District Attorney Lewis. The latter
realizing the growing Importance OF the
case and its spread TO Manhattan
turned Daniello over to District Attor
Since that time the prisoner has beer
under a constant fire Of questions
which he has answered coolly. Wher
Eaniello was arrested there was alsC
taken into custody nineteen-year-ol'
,irl. Amelia Valvo, who was locked vi
OF 9 charge Of perjury.
Arrested for Abduction
i year ago he clipped with the gin
% Philadelphia after she had takel
. quantity Of her mothers jewels
There he induced man named Gia
como Damico 70 obtain a marriage
license. which he Borrowed" for
mock ceremony with the Valvo girl
Daniello was arrested for the abduc
tion. but was acquitted OF the girl'
testimony that she had married Damico
who was thereupon convicted. and !,
now serving a ten-year sentence il
Sing Sing.
Angered at Daniello's treatment o.
her daughter. Mrs. Theresa Giordano
Of Brooklyn. told the police how thu
man had boosted TO her Of killing
youth in Navy Street. On this clue
which gave new life 20 the inyestiga
ton. DanicilO wss traced 20 Reno an,
hfough, back Oh charges of murder
perjury and grand larceny. lie haC
previously been ACQUITTED Of the Nav
Street murder for lack Of evidence.
Dsniello IL a swsrthy man Of med
ium height, clean shaver, whose mos
striking feature Is deep scar, as o.
razor. which stretches for gooc
eight inches along the left side Of hi
jaw. He was rather poorly dressed
and bore none Of the marks Of tn,
gambler type.
Three Gangs Control Gambling
Simply and colorlessly he told III,
District Attorney, through AN inter
prefer, what purpoTted % be the "in
4.dc" story Of the gambling rings. This
.n effect, 10 what Daniello said:
There are three gangs In the city
Wien have al the say over gambling
81 The Little Italics Of Manhattan anc
Brooklyn. They are called the Nav
Street on Brooklyn gang, the 'Mul