The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-26
CARDTNALE TO GO
FREE WITH $4,000
Confessed Hirer of Baff's As
sassins Will Be Returned
to Italy.
TO GET SO DAILY FEES
Criminal Baked Courts and
Insulted Justices After
Breaking Pledge.

Murder and the procuring OF murder
as fine art has proved mighty pay
ing proposition in the case of Salvatore
Antonio de Cruciano Cardinale, the Ital-
ian gangster who confessed to hiring
assassins and bringing about the killing
November "a, 1914, Of Barnet Baff, the
Washington Market poulterer.
Within a few days Cardinale will be
on his way back to the land Of his birth
with between $4,000 and $4,000 in good
American money. the gift of the State of
New York. jingling in his pockets to
give him a new start in life in his native
land.
Unlike many of his fellow country
men who arc returning, Cardinale will
not be forced to stand in line eft the
Custom House to get his passports and
other papers Strengthened out before
sailing. These will be delivered to him
without trouble on his part The money
he receives will also be clear of deduc-
ton for income tax.
Immunity from the perlls OF war
either as soldier in the army Of his
own country or in the American Ex-
peditionary Forces were also his be-
cause of his share in the Baff conspiracy
and murder. There were also two trips
across the ocean. with all expenses paid
by the State, and care and food while
confined here in the Tombs. For all
these things the State received nothing
from Cardinale-rather was he a detri-
nent instead OF an aid to the officials
who sought TO get at the bottom of the
washington Market crime and mete out
punishment to the higher ups" who pro-
cured the poulterer's assassination.
Cardinale will land in Italy a free
man. He will not be tried there for
the murder. That fact is made clear
In papers filed yesterday in the County
Clerks office officially ending all con-
nection of Cardinale with the sensa-
tional case. Justice Arthur s. Temp
kins of the Criminal Branch of the Su-
preme Court signed the order for Car
dinale's release on the representations
or the italian Minister of Foreign Az
fairs In Washington that his term of
Incarceration be ended.
Justice Tompkins acted upon the mo-
ton OF James O'Malley, Special Deputy
Attorney General. who reopene6 the
Ban investigation and brought about
Cardinale's return to this country for
the purpose of giving evidence.
Payment at the rate Of SO a day
will be made to Cardinale by the Comp
troller on Justice Tompkinsis order
This Is compensation for his detention
as witness. He had received already
the sum of s1.aso on account during
the period OF his incarceration.
Services rendered by Cardinale in re-
turn for this have been nil Although
he expressed his willingness to tell all
he knew of the Ban plot whilN In Italy,
when questioned during the John Doe
hearing here in April last, he defied
his interrogation. Ferdinand Pecora AS
sistant District Attorney, openly in
suited justices and others and deliber-
ately withheld all information he might
have. Rebukes from Justice Mcintyre,
who said his conduct was in violation OF
the agreement between the Italian Gov
eminent and the Attorney General.
were of no avail
Cardinale not only refused to divulge
information. but his attitude had the
effect of causing other material wit
nesses to adopt the same attitude OF in
science and defiance. with the result
that the inquiry went for haught. Nor
win II be renewed, according to Dis
trict Attorney Swami, who stated yes
terday that the investigation has been
costly proceeding to the State. and II
Is doubtful II conditions against which
the authorities have had to ccntend
will justify a reopening OF 1t. Con-
tinutng. with reference to Cardinale
he said:
"If he ever returns to this country
after he is landed in Italy. he can be
| tried for his share OF the Bar murder
His surrender TO the Italian authorities
terminates our part OF the agreement
entered into when he was brought bach
| to America. AS II now stands, this
country will be well rid Of a very un
desirable person"