New Britain herald., 1919-12-24
Zimatravich Tried To Make Expenses By
 Selling Booze On Sabbath, Police Say
LIQUOR DID NOT
 HAVE GOVT. STAMP
Federal Agents Attend Trial and Indications Are That More Trouble is in Store For Saloon Man.

Found guilty of violating the Sun day law relative to the selling of I- quor, William Zimatravich, of 36 Hartford avenue, was fined $200 and costs by Judge James T. Meskill at the police court session this morning. A fine of $5 and costs was imposed on John Miskinis, who was found guilty of drunk enness, and fines of $o and s costs were imposed on Andrew Swer- en, Joseph Jacobs and Joseph Jen- nings who were found guilty of ire quenting a place where intoxicating liquors were sold. William -Droese was discharged after proving a good alibi. He said he did not have drink and was not in the cellar when ; the raid took place.
 Govt. To Prosecute Now.
 Three Federal officers were in at tendance at the trial. At the close one of the officers stated to a report CT that action will be taken by the government officials against Zimatra- Nich- He was, however, reticent as to the time the action would be started. <. During the trial it was brought out Yin evidence that Zimatravich admitted to the officers that he had purchased two barrels of ''Hquor" on the Thurs day previous to the raid, and that he was not sure as to whether or not the revenue stamps of the government were on the barrels. Condemnation of the liquor seized in the raid will he heard in the court room on Decem- Der 30.
 -, Sergeant Johnson Testifies.
 Sergeant Theodore Johnson was the chief witness. He stated that at the time of the raid there were a large number of men in the cellar of Zima- trayicb's saloon and several of them could be seen drinking near the bar. Andrew Sweren, the bartender, had on Sfs apron and was serving drinks in back of the bar Sergeant Johnson testified. He also stated that he had talk with Zimatravich who was present at the time, and he admitted that he had been violating the Sum- day law and told him that he had to sell intoxicating liquors in order to lmeet his expenses He also admitted that the Thursday previous the raid he had purchased two barrels of so- called Chinese whiskey for s23 a gal lon from two Italians, whom he did not. know, the officer said. Sergeant Johnson inspected the barrels and -a found that they did not have the gov ernment stamps on them. It is thought that the whiskey was some of tfte 'moonshine' variety.
 Admits Receiving Drinks.
 - Joseph Jacobs, one of the men ta- ken in the raid and charged with ire quenting the place, admitted on the Y stand that he went there about 10 o'clock Sunday morning and was giv- en two drinks of Whiskey by Zimatra- 1sjch personally. John Mskinis also admitted that he had received liquor from the proprietor, but either of the men did not testify as to what they paid for the drinks. zmatra- yich did not take the stand. sE Grecnberg Defends Accused.
 Attorney Albert A. Greenberg ap- peared for the accused and his con- Nention was that the accused were guilty of violating the law relative the selling of liquor in an unlicensed place but were not guilty of selling liquor and violating the Sunday law. He stated that by selling liquor in the cellar he did not think that should be prosecuted under the Sunday law. He added that under the present stote statute there is no law that prevents svsian from keeping doors wide open and selling near-beer and sandwiches. m Judge Meskill stated that he would not advise anyone to that effect
 McMahon Case Heard.
 Judgment was suspended in the case of P. $. McMahon, who appeared to answer the charge of violating a city ordinance relative to the collecting of garbage in a place that was not W designated on his permit. Attorney sg M.. H. Sexton appeared for the ac- cused and brought out the fact that about three years ago MT. McMahon @4 was given a verbal permit or license to collect garbage by Dr. Reeks, who at that time was at the head of the local health department, and he did Anot think that he was violating the law. Judge Meskill stated that in V the future MT. McMahon should see