New-York tribune., 1918-03-31
Policemen Eat i'm
Gambling Club,
Swami Charges
District Attorney Also Tells
of Sergeant's Call on
Boss" Rosenfeld

District Attorney Swami said last
night that certain policemen were ac-
customed to taking their meals in Sig
mund (Beansy) Rosenfeld's gambling
club, at 108 East Seventeenth Street
which was raided last February. He
also charged that certain police SER
geant entered the place last New Years
Day and talked with the "boss." Other
policemen, the prosecutor says, have
slept in the club on cold and stormy
nights. Four members of the clubs
house committee were sent to th,.
workhouse in Special Sessions last
week for keeping a gambling house.
The District Attorney says his infor-
nation came indirectly to him from
Mrs. Ernestine Vergnole, who sub
leased the parlor floor and basemcn:
of the house to Rosenfelds organiza-
tion and ran furnished room house
on the remaining floors.
1t was learned that Mrs. Vergnolle
mentioned the policemen in a statement
she made some time ago to De Forrest
Brothers, of 80 Broad Street, agents
for Mrs. Felicia Tucker, wife of Frank
Tucker, president of the Provident
Loan Society and owner of the prem
ises.
Sergeant's New Years Call
The prosecutor questioned Mrs
Vergnolle yesterday about her state
ments. She admitted that sergeant
was in the place on New Years Day
but said she didn't believe she
could remember his name. Upon being
questioned for further details she in
formed Mr.. Swami she would not an
swer any more questions until she had
consulted lawyer. She said she had
dispossessed the club on the order of
the police and District Attorney and
she thought she had done her part.
According to the District ATTORNEY
the police sergeant, when he entered
the place, approached "Beansy" Roscn-
field, who was eating his breakfast near
the noon hour.
Happy New Year, Boss" the SER
gcant is, reported to have said.
For the love of Mike, you are on
hand early; can't you let me finish nv
brcakfast before you come any of this
Happy New Year stuff" "the boss
is reported to have replied.
According to Mr.. Swami, Mrs. Vcr.
gnolle IN her statement did not state
whether the sergeant waited until "the
boss" finished his breakfast.
II shall have Mrs. Vergnolle sub
p9naed to appear on Tuesday or
Wednesday in the John Doe inquiry
INTO gambling, and l have given orders
70 nave the statement she made to Da
forrest Brothers presented also" said
the prosecutor
"Pctticoat Protection"
Through her counsel, Jacob Sepal
Mrs. Vcrgnolle obtained an iniunction
IN 1913 from Supreme Court Justice
biJur restraining the police from sta
tloning themselves in front of the
mouse and in the lower hall. She said
she mad been molestcds and her bust
ness was hurt by the presence of de-
tectives and uniformed policemen who
the Central Merchants Club" tho
camouilage name of the gambling or.
ganization
:, ms ran Rosenfeld," said Mr..
swami last night. "was running this
cup behnd woman's pctticoats. so
TO speak. He has boasted about his
power with the Police Department and
with me-. haven't been able thus far
TO get local evidence against him. as
Tar as this cub is concerned but T
expect to do so if it takes me four
years. Four OF his employees are in
ne worfhousc now. shall insist thai
Mrs Tucker or Dc Forrest Bros. dis
possess Mrs. Vergnolle. She was mr..