New-York tribune., 1919-10-23
U. S. Agents
Arrested in
Liquor Plot
Continued from page L

suited in the arrests. 1t was just
month ago that he was informed that
a conspiracy existed that permitted ia
vored New York saloon and restaurant
keepers to make fortunes through the
sale of liquor. Collusion with men of
his own department was saidto have
made this possible.
prominent New Yorker, whose name
is withheld, carried this information to
Chief Flynn, and is said to have worked
with the chief in the investigation. 1t
is generally supposed that this man is
one Of the many who were approached
Chief Flynn Immediately consu ted
with Attorney General Palmer, and he
was told to bring the guilty to justice
at all costs. At Mr. Flynn's suggestion
a special Assistant District Attorney
was assigned to the case Mr.. Minton,
who has been at private practice at 26
Liberty Street since his resignation
from the staff Of the District Attorney
here, occupies that post.
Surprising Discoveries Made
Chief Flynn at once returned to New
York and began mapping out his plan
of campaign: At the start he made
some surprising discoveries. He found
sold without hidrance. At one place
known throughout the country charge
of $25 quart was being made for
white wine; in other restaurants the
price for the same drink ranged from
IS to SIS; anybody possessing 500
could obtain a quart of champagne
There appeared to be plenty of buyers
ut these prices.
Moreover, in road houses in the sub
urbs on Long Island and in Westchester
County-particularl those owned by the
cafes-the boast was made that liquor
could be sold without interference.
Some proprietors even admitted to
Chief Flynn's men that they had paid
freely for immunity and that those who
promised protection for them had made
good
With this as foundation, Chief
Flynn and Mr.. Minton brought special
agents from other districts-men who
could be trusted to investigate con-
scientiously-and instructed them to
install dictagraphs in the homes of all
the men suspected. Interesting reports
are declared to have resulted.
Suspects Mail Is Seized
With the assistance of postal officials
the investigators watched the mail Of
the men under suspicion. AS a mere
detail of the Investigation the letters
that were read to the grand jury were
not the least important of the bits Of
evidence.
Still another feature of the outside
sleuths' investigation was the tapping
of the telephones of men under sur
veillance. Hardly word was spoken
over the telephone by any one of the
men now accused of completely in the
plot that escaped Chief Flynn's men.
These conversations are declared to
lmplicate some of the best-knokn res
taurant and saloon men in the city.
two former, Assistant United States
Attorneys who sought TO take advant-
age of the situation to obtain immunity
for their clients, the Republican poll
string Of cafes and d man who now oc-
cupies responsible position as gov.
ernment prosecutor.
SO thorough has been the work Of
Mr.. Flynn and his men that it is likely
that every one of these men will have
to answer for his part in the plot.
Witnesses Before Grand Jury
Just how many indictments might be
expected from the present grand jury is
& question that remains unanswered.
1t was pointed out, however, that the
investigation had just begun, and the
government expected to hold the bribe
givers, we'll as the bribe tatkers, re-
sponsible. Judging from present indi-
cations, a list of the defendants prob
ably will look like blue book of the
citys restaurant and saloon men.
While the men under arrest were
being examined yesterday long list
of witnesses was being examined by
the grand jury. While the prosecutor
would not divulge the nature of theii
testimony 1t was said these witnesses
included only those who had paid 70,
protection. Meanwhile still another
body of government agents WAS serv.
inc sNhncpnas