The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-28
SAY DRUG RING
KILLED monk
Police Think Heroic Gangster
Mas Victim Of Former Cronies
In Underworld.


The reformed gangster. who was
riddled with bullets at Fourteenth
street and Fourth avenue early Sun.
day morning. Is believed to have been
suspected Of violating the code OF the
underworld.
COPs QUESTION MONK.
1t developed that. detectives of the
Narcotic squad had questioned the
Monk" firm in the conviction that
he could shed considerable light on
the activities Of the dope ring"
operating in the city.
Whether or not the once notorious
Monk" gave information on his for
mer associates, the police would not
. admit. But DR.. Carleton Simon. spe-
cial deputy police commissioner In
charge of the Narcotic squad, de-
clared last night that in all likeli-
hood the motive for the murder
could be traced to the drug "ring."
with which monk" had been identi-
fled I'm the days before his reforma-
tion.
QUESTIONING WAS VAIN.
DR.. Simon said 1t was likely that 1t
leaked out through the devious chan
nels of the underworld that Monk"
incredible as 1t may seem. had
turned stool pigeon" From the mo-
ment the word went out that he had
talked with detectives gang law
would decree that he be marked for
death. And they got him when he
least expected 1t.
Although it was said that monk"
had gone straight ever since he en-
taNA Ill H.
Twenty-seventh division, the police
learned that he occasionally visited
his former pals who were still ply
ing their trade in the Illicit drug
mart. Inside information came to
them, DR.. Simon said, that monk"
had perhaps gone back to the old
game, for which he once did eight
months in the penitentiary.
But the detectives failed to get
positive information, which warranted
them in arresting him. They did
learn. however, that he was in q
position to know what was going on
in the dope ring"
NO "BOOTLEG- EVIDENCE.
Detective Bernard Boylan, with a
squad Of detectives, traced the
monk" to various rendezvous of
known drug pedlers throughout
strongly suspected that he was op-
Grating with the "ring," they never
could make sure. Incidentally 1t also
came to their ears that he was boot
Logging" but. this suspicion could
never be substantiated.
Assistant District Attorney Hennis.
OF the Homicide Bureau, admit ed last
night that he had no evidence what
ever to support the theory he at first
advanced that Monk" was involved
in "bootlegging" traffic.
DR.. Simon wouldn't say last night
what information, II any, his detec-
tives CLEANED. from Monk" but he
added:
at appears to me that Eastman
probably was killed by some member
Of the drug ring. We have no
1t is a most plausible theory and one
that may be borne out by subsequent
developments l would not be sur
prised If it turned out that some Of
his former associates in the drug
traffic, hearing that he had 'squealed,
plotted his death.
BACK WITH OLD GANG.
I'VE had inside information that
Eastman was consorting with for
mer pals, with whom he had long
was peddling drugs. We couldn't
prove to a certainty that he was
but there was a very strong sus-
picion pointing to him. We con-
sidered 1t a good lead. and so my
men went after him."
Inspector John Coughlin, commend
ing the Detective Bureau, also ad-
mitted last night that he had ordered
the monk" looked up. although he
was not suspected Of any crime.
Coughlin said:
"When we learned that Eastman
was going around with his old pals
we became interested, naturally.
Ten days ago I had occasion to look
him up in connection with the COM
mission Of a crime. the nature of
which I cannot discuss at this time.
Acting Captain Daniel Carey. of
the Sixteenth Branch in Brooklyn
located him at No. 801 briggs ave-
nue., where he had a furnished room,
and questioned him. The interview
wasn't very satisfactory. and Carey
went back last Thursday and had an
other talk with the Monk I am not
at liberty to divulge what success
was attained, but anyhow Eastman
was murdered three days later"
MUTE AS TO "SQUEALING.-
Inspector Coughlin wouldn't answer
directly when asked IL the Monk"
had "squealed"
Inspector Coughlin and Lieutenant
william Funston also declared yes
terday that they had absolutely not
the slightest Information connecting
monk" with Bookkeeping" Therefore
they discarded the theory that he was
killed as a result of quarrel over
the division of money in q supposed
liquor deal.
Lieutenant Funston said he believed
that monk" was slain following a
Eight in a cafe in East Fourteenth
street He WAS probably followed
from the saloon, Funston said. and
shot down as he was heading for
home.
The detectives have traced Monks"
movements up to 12:45 o'clock on the
morning of the murder and know the
men he was with up to that time.
They are being sought, but the police
admitted that there was no prospect
OF an INN ediste arrest. They are
sIso searching for a girl named Lot.
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