Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-03-14
ENORMOUS PROFIT
IN SELLING HERON
Addicts Robbed Mercilessly but
Submit in Order to Get Their
Supply of the Narcotic-Re-
markable Lack of Memory
Shown by Men on Trial.

ana Clarence SIIlitIs given
afternoon in United states court, the evil
dence was completed in what government
men declare to be one of the most famous
drug cases ever tried in this section.
The testimony at the trial Thursday
was fraught with interesting side lights
on the underworld, even to the point
where 1t was shown that Lawrence
had once served time for being
runman. The enormous profits made from
the drug addicts and the manner In which
they were robbed were depicted graphl- |
cally by some of those who had helped
in the game. The case closed with Law
renee telling his story to the jury and
making his own argument as he has mad
no attorney during the entire trial.
A wonderful lack of memory was dis
played by both Lawrence and Smith.
Smith couldn't remember for the life of
him anywhere near what time he went
to Columbus, Ga, where he was called by
the illness of his mother. He couldn't
even recall what season of the year 1t was,
whether 1t was winter or summer. Law
renee was equally forgetful Trips to
Detroit and other points were apparently
made in a sort of sub-conscious condition.
He simply couldn't remember anything.
Both were caught in some embarrassing
positions through their forgetfulness but
neltner showed tnat ne was peTtuIueu III
the slightest degree.
Lawrence was allowed considerable lati-
tude in giving his testimony. Judge Howe
being lenient because the man had no at
torney. Lawrence explained his frequent
trips to Montreal by saying he was a book
maker and gambler. This also accounted
for his having big stores Of money at
times. He admitted that he was addicted
to the use of dope at one time and that
explained the presence of some cocaine
in his house when 1t was searched
Lawrence was there with an explanation
for everything. When asked If he knew
certain men in Montreal. famous for their
dealing in narcotics. he couldn't but when
confronted with kilograms from him to
them over a signature sworn by experts
to be his own. Lawrence said he knew
the men as gamblers and had dealings
with them as SUCH but never dreamed
Of their connection with the opium bust
ness. He did admit being brother-i law
of Lorenzo. alias Di Lorenzo, who is now
supposed to be hiding in France. He even
admitted making trips to Montreal with
him. On the day of August %. however, he
had no idea whether or not Lorenzo was
with him. He didn't know where Lorenzo
istopped in Montreal. any more than he
could remember where he himself stopped.
= RESPONDENTS ARGUMENT.
When Lawrence talked to the jury he
did a good job. HAS there been the slight
lest evidence that this particular can of
lheroin belonged to me? Has there been
the slightest evidence to show that have
ever been implicated in struggled opium ?
/ If there is any evidence against me 1t Is
, Of the flimsiest circumstantial nature. At
the time this heroin was seized l was
miles away. The government has shown
that I was not on the train when 1t was
}. seized" Lawrence proved that he had q
= pretty good knowledge OF the tactics en-
ployed by criminal lawyers. He alluded
9 to his being under indictment for SNUG.
= Cling opium In New York and asked II he
!. had not showed up regularly to report. as
I required. When he was arrested while
going to New York on the Delaware &
Hudson road there was not an incriminat.
! ing thing to be found on him and he took
: the governments own witnesses to prove
that In all Lawrence was good. but when
he was subjected to the cross-examinatior
2 he laid himself open to some hot ques
tons. such as his criminal record. his
admitted relation with Lorenzo and his
u character I'm general. His forgetfulness
also was SO great as TO cause some
laughter In the room.
Smith. in taking the stand, put up much
!, the same defense as Lawrence. He could
- not remember anything. He admitted
that he had not been back to the Pull.
- man company after the money due hin
when he left II months ago. He said hi
:, had not done this for the reason that he
had not been discharged by them. wher
he disappeared from the train in New
;, York on the night following the seizure
. he could not remember whether he wen
An1 T.
:. or not. 1t was then sthat his memory
% failed him completely as to when HI
went to Columbus, Ga.
1t is considered by the government mer
that Lorenzo and Lawrence. who have
many aliases are very wealthy. The secre,
service mon tell Of raidng the Lorenzo
tenement and finding a safe filled with
deeds OF property and money. The last
time they raided the place they found
a large stock of drugs concealed In 9
secret chamber in the floor under some
linoleum. Lawrence is said to have some
- expensive horses. but the family seems
to continue to live in poverty and filth
r, The family is pretty we'll broken up now
z with the disappearance of Mother
Lorenzo and her son and Lawrence ir
Jail.
ENORMOUS PROFITS
ID One of the most interesting witnesse
Of the trial was G. Fl. Wintner of 20
West 4Sth street. New York. He has bee,
/? indicted for, handling opium. He toll,
OF going to the house of Lawrence an,
Di Lorenzo on many occasions and O
obtaining his supply of narcotics from
l? them. The heroin was reduced by bein
q mixed with sugar of milk. The profit
varied with the manner In which 1t wa
sold. From the snifters who could onl
buy grain at a time. an enormou
Id profit was realized. 1t became apparen
from Winners testimony that the dop
hends were entirely at the mercy Of tn
IN peddlers.
An ounce Of heroin at the time h
bought 1t of Lawrence and his gang wa
selling in Canada at about $12. Wintne
M and the dealers in the city were charge
about $50 for it. He knew that he wa
g. not purchasing the real article fror
Lawrence. for he said the latter had toll
. him he had labels and seals with whic
to fix up bottles as though they cam
from reputable concerns. According
Mt Wintner. Lawrence and Di Lorenzo ha
their opportunity Of diluting the drug S
he that they really got a great deal large
profit than the difference between $12 an
ma $50. In his opinion their profits woul
average better than 500 per ounce. The
probably would clean up $4,000 or $3.50
on a shipment Of practically 200 ounce
"a such as had been seized at Alburg.
l Was estimated tint thu ORIGINAL invou,