New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-16
Bacardi Rum
Deal Defended
By ]. S. Shevlin
Prohibition Enforcement
Agent Tells Grand Jury
Liquor Delivery to Stock
holders Was Not Illegal
Inquiry Will Continue
Detectives Save $4,000 of
Whisky Seized by Four
Robbers in New Jersey

James S. Shevln, prohibition en-
forcement director for New York, ap-
peared as witness yesterday before
the Federal grand jury in Brooklyn
in the inquiry surrounding the delivery
by the defunct Bacardi Corporation
of 400 cases of rum to John Tench,
proprietor of Holliswood Hall. Hollis,
L. L., former residence Of Mr.. Shevlin.
Leroy w. Ross, Federal District Az
torney for the Brooklyn district, is
making a searching investigation into
the legality of this delivery and asked
Mr.. Shevlin several days ago to explain
his part in it. In reply Mr.. Shevlln
said that the relations between himself,
MIR. Ross and the other Federal au-
thorities in the Brooklyn district had
been entirely cordial; that the Bacardl
Corporation had dissolved wltrous
financial assets, and that c. r. O'Con-
nor, in charge of the permit depart
ment of the enforcement office, had
authorized the delivery of the liquor
stocks to the various stockholders Of
the corporation in lieu of cash. The
transfer of the liquor, he explained,
was perfectly regular and legal.
Marshal Seizes Liquor
Despite this explanation the liquor
consigned to Tench and seized by the
police of Jamaica was turned over to
James NJ. Power, United States marshal
for the Brooklyn district. Then Mr..
Ross decided to investigate the facts
through the fundamentally of Fed
eral grand jury.
Asked yesterday as to the arrest of
two of his agents, Armand Legier and
James W. Waldie, both under lndlct-
ment for aiding and abetting an alleged
violation of the Volstead act, Mr.. Shev-
lin said; :..;uo.os
but although he was suspended l re-
fused to accept his resignation and he
was not representing this department
when he was arrested for illegal trans
portation of liquor. Waldie was acting
absolutely without authority when he
undertook to deliver three barrels OF
whisky from New York to Connecticut.
"There is no provision of the pro
hibition law" Mr.. Shevlin said, (which
requires an internal revenue agent to
accompany any consignment of whisky
l aim to keep all Withdrawals of liquor
under the closest scrutiny and keep a
check not only on those withdrawals
from the licensed warehouses and deal
D. 3
put our trust in the fidelity of men to
their duty, and that is what l have
done in regard to Legier and Waldie."
Four men early yesterday morning
at Kearny, N. j., attempted to rob a
truck containing s10,5O0 worth of whis-
ky. Newark detectives, who are con-
Quoting hunt for liquor law violators,
surprised them before they could re-
move the stuff, and the robbers fled.
The detectives took possession of the
truck and started down the Lincoln
Highway with it, when they were met
by ten policemen with drawn revolvers
and explanation followed.
Robbers Kidnap Two
The whisky was owned by Patrick
Transie, of Waterbury, Conn, and he
and his driver were halted by the four
robbers, who blocked the road with a
small touring car. They were. ordered
from the truck at the point of revolv-
ers. Transe and his driver we're placed
in the touring car by two of the high
waymen and driven away; the other
two. highwaymen stayed by the truck
until the detectives appeared.
Transie and his driver were taken
four and half miles down the high
way to a point near the Soldiers Home
and ordered out of the car They bolt
ed Immediately for the police station
in Kearny and gave the alarm. Shortly
afterward the detectives delivered the
truck to Transie. The highwaymen es-
capped.
William Amman, 231 South Fourth
Street. Brooklyn, was held by United
States Commissioner McCabe in $1,000
bail yesterday for violation of the Vol
stead act. Patrick Sexton, 81 Hicks
Street; Joseph Grieve, IS Lexington
Avenue, both bartenders, were held in
$500 bail each by Commissioner Bah
more, of Brooklyn, charged with selling
liquor. Frank Bollman, a bartender at
14S3 Broadway, Brooklyn, was held in
q similar charge.