The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-28
FOOD PIRATES
TO GO TO JAIL
FROM NOW ON
Fine of $4,000 to Take Place
of Warnings in Profi-
teering Cases.
BIG HAUL IN BACON
q. 8. Seizes 100000 Pounds
and Owner-Arrest in
Sugar Deal.
BIG HAUL IN BACON

Warnings to food prohteers that
they mustn't gouge the public are
things Of the past. Prosecution OF all
persons against whom evidence Is
clear that the law has been violated
Ii the plan of the present. Penalties
mot exceeding So, 200 fine or two years
imprisonment" are promised In cases
OF conviction for the future. Prof.
teering and boarding henceforth will
be dangerous pastimes.
This drastic Government programme
was announced yesterday. With the
announcement came action with one
arrest in Brooklyn and another here.
Louis Leavitt, manufacturer OF
white lead, Asa briggs avenue, Brook
Ign, was arrested at his office charged
with boarding upward of 1,300,-
900 pounds of army bacon in
Brooklyn warehouses. He was ar
raigned before United States Commits
sioner McGoldrick in Brooklyn and
placed under $1,000 bail for exam
ination Friday. United States Marshal
Power, acting under authority of an
order of libel, took possession OF the
bacon, 1898 cases in all.
Sugar Hoarding Charged.
Samuel Shapiro manufacturing confec-
TONER, IL and 10 Emerson place. Brook
iyn, was arrested at the office of Samue,
NJ Hitchcock United States Commits
sioner. in the Federal Building. on a
complaint OF profiteering in sugar He
was released in $500 bail for appearance
next Monday.
Commenting on the occurrences OF the
day, Arthur Williams, Federal Food Ad-
ministrator, said: I'VE have given two
months notice that the food laws were
made to be obeyed. We have done all
that we should be asked to do Here
after we are going to recommend to the
United States District Attorney for Grim
inal prosecution all cases of violations in
which we obtain evidence"
One Of the next cases to be referred to
Ben A. Matthews. Assistant District At
torney, will be that of a Wall street
banker to whose possession Mr.. Williams
traced 1000 tons of sugar. said to have
been purch lsed dor export and alleged
10 have been offered for domestic sale
This particular matter now Is in the
hands of Samuel L. Berger OF counsel
for the Fair Price Committee, who will
prepare the case for presentation to Mr.
Matthews.
stored Bacon Seized.
Louis Leavitt, against whom lie Poy
w. Ross, United States District Attorney
OF Brooklyn, Is proceeding. is we'll known
in political and financial circles. He
lives at 1919 West Eighty-eighth street.
Manhattan, and is married. He is re-
puted to be wealthy. Following his ar
rest, Leavitt told reporters he had a
floating capital which he invested from
time TO time.
The 1900, 900 pounds OF bacon seized
by United States Marshal Power has
been stored in warehouses at so Roebling
street and l40 Metropolitan avenue.
Brooklyn, since last July, when Leavitt
bought it from the Government.
A man who answered the telephone at
Mr. Leavitt's office and who declared he
was Mr. Leavitt said concerning Mr.
Lesvitts arrest; II think it is per-
feet outrage for the Government to do
thing like this I bought this bacon at
Washington for s750.00O. Prior to my
purchase of it the Government advertised
It for sale and had rejected the highest
bids made for II. | offeredN2 5 per cent
In excess OF the highest bid and bought
1t at 2Sss cents a pound. Soon after the
city negotiated for the purchase OF
bacon from the Government at 81 cents
a pound. l thereupon offered the city
this bacon at the very same price. But
my offer was rejected
The charge of profteering against
Shapiro was preferred by c. Larsen.
Vice president OF the Sterling Pure Food
Company, Inc, 1908 New Utrecht ave-
nue., Brooklyn. The complainant al
leees that Shapiro charged the food
company 1871 cents a pound for $500
pounds OF sugar on August IL and 10
cents pound for $3.50 pounds OF sugar
on August 20. with an additional charge
OF 10 cents q hundredweight for carriage