davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
RETRIAL OF PORTER is
SET FOR MID-JANUARY
Former Police Commissioner
Once Got Disagreement.

James Il. Smith. Assistant District At
torney, announced yesterday that the
case of Augustus Drum Porter former
Third Deputy Police Commissioner, in
dicted for neglect OF duty, probably
would come up for retrial In General
Sessions between January II and Janu-
airy 49, 1t may be necessary again to
postpone the trial. but Mr.. Smith said
he did not believe anything would pre-
vent the case coming up.
Porter was indicted last March 10 by
the regular Grand Jury as the result of
the testimony of two policemen OF the
Vice Squad that they had found him in
a disorderly house i'm West Ninety-sixth
stI eet with woman he had failed to
arrest They said also he prevented
them from arresting her. His first trial
began on April 10 and resulted In a dis
agreement. Judge Malone directed a
new trial to begin on May 8, but 1t was
postponed because Porter's counsel,
Martin w. Littleton. was busy In other
courts. Since then tho case has been
postponed several times.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
SENATOR WADSWORTH
EXTOLLED BY HARDING
Calls Him Great Patriot and
Able Statesman.

A letter from President-elect Harding
was received yesterday by Murray Hull
bert president Of the Society OF the
Gencsce. explaining why he could not
be at tho socicty'e annual dinner in the
Hotel Commodore February %. at which
Senator James w. Wadsworth Is to be
guest of honor Mr. Harding wrote in
part:
u would rejoice TO join the society
in doing honor to your fellow member
because none Of his colleagues and mono
OF his friends hold him in higher regard
and esteem tran ! do. He is really one
Of the great patriots and able statesmen
OF America. We enjoyed particularly
friendly relations throughout our con-
temporaneous period in the Senate and
! hold him in affectionate regard in
every way. | ask you to utter my greet
Ing and assure your membership that ]
am In perfect accord with everything
that is done TO honor Senator wsds.
worth -
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
CROPSEY Is URGED
FOR HYLAN INQUIRY
Service as Special Counsel
Would Groom Him for
Mayoralty Race.
WELL FITTED FOR POST
Is Question Whether He Would
Quit Bench With Ten
Years to Serve.

Several political leaders who have
been urging the formation of a legisla-
tive committee to investigate the admin
istration of Mayor John F. Hylan sug-
gested yesterday that Justice James {.
Cropsey of the Supreme Court resign
from the bench and become special coun-
sci to the committee, with view TO
running him for Mayor in the next cleo
ton.
1t could not be learned last night
whether the IDEA had been taken up with
Justice Cropsey, but it generally is con-
sidered in political circles TO be highly
improbable that the Brooklyn jurist
would be willing to retire from the
bench unless he could be assured the
nomination for Mayor. The theory upon
which it is argued that he might accept
the post of counsel is that he aspires to
be Mayor: that he could gain publicity
and prominence by delving into the
doings of Mayor Hylan, and at the same
time he could amass considerable
knowledge Of the city government
which would impress upon the public
mind that he would be a good man to
clean things up
Friends of the Justice declared yes
terday that this part of the programme
would apepal to him, but few Of them
are inclined to believe he would be will
ing to sacrifice his berth on the Supreme
Court bench for the uncertainty of a
Mayoralty fight. His present term does
not expire until December 81. 1890.
In private practice years ago Justice
Cropsey was known as a good trial law
yer. He was a personal friend OF the
late Mayor William J. Gaynor. with
whom he used to discuss municipal
problems. For q time he served under
Mayor Gaynor as head of the Police
Department. getting inside information
generally conceded to be one of the
weakest spots in the Hylan adminis-
tration.
lie was successful as District Attorney
of Kings county and since going on
the bench has handled number Of the
city cases, which have given him de-
tails Of other branches OF the gov
ernment.
Senator Theodore Douglas Robinson
and Assemblyman Joseph Steinberg are
engaged in drafting the resolution for
a legislative investigation, which they
will introduce as soon as the Legislature
convenes
During the tieup of traffic on the H..
r. r. there were ten trains between tho
Court street station in Brooklyn and the
Whitehall street station in Manhattan,
heavily loaded with passengers. Accord
ing to information in the hands of Pub
lie Service Commissioners who are in
vestigating the accident. some of the
trains opened their doors and discharged
passengers. who walked out over the
bench footwalk in the tunnel. Others
kept the doors closed and the passengers
remained in the cars until they were
backed to the Court street station.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
MRS. G. A. VIRGIEN DIES
ONE DAY AFTER SON
Double Funeral Tomorrow
in Brooklyn Chapel.

Mrs. Charlotte A. virgien, 20 years
old, died yesterday OF complication of
diseases in her home, 20 Glenada place.
Brooklyn. She was born In Edinbor-
ough. Scotland. and came TO this coun-
try when u years old. Sc had lived
In Brooklyn for nearly forty years.
She was a member OF the Cameo branch
OF the Sunshine Society.
Carl j.. virgien. son OF Mrs. virgien.
and A years old, died Sunday night
Of pneumonia in his home III lS9 Clinton
place. Iiackensack, y. ]. His death
was not made known to his mother for
fear IL might hasten her death. lie
was n Mason and an Elk.
Funeral services for Mrs. virgien and
her son will be held tomorrow IN tho
I,efferts Place Chapel. IS Lofferts place.
Brooklyn. Mrs. virsien In survived by
| four childrepkNnd two sistsrs- Her son
leaves . widow and two children.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28

Mrs. Avorin as witch others in the
room shouted:
Witch. Witch! Burn her at the
stalker
Mrs. Avorin had her supporters in the
court room also. and they began to hiss
the women who believed the woman
was a witch. The noise became SO
great that Magistrate Silberman pounded
vigorously with his gavel TO restore
order.
Mrs Avorin said Mrs. Stern began
calling her witch several months ago
and that since then the cry had been
taken up by almost every other woman
in the apartment house.
Every time / go into the street" she
said, these women come to their doors
and yell Witch" at me, and they follow
me up and down the street shouting
that am witch and telling all little
children to get out of my way"
Magistrate SHERMAN decided there
was not sufficient evidence to hold Mrs
Stern on the charge of disorderly con-
duct that Mrs. Avorin had brought
against her and discharged her. He did
not settle the question OF witchcraft.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
MOSCOW ORDERS
MARTENS HOME;
CANCELS TRADE
Soviet Envoy Announces He
VIII Not Appeal De-
portation Order.
L. S. CONTRACTS OFF
CabIegram From Tcitcherin
Puts Blame Oh Wilson
Administration.
THINKS PEOPLE FRIENDLY
Two or 3 Weeks Required TO
Wind Up Affairs-Bolshe-
vik Paper May suspend.
U. S. CONTRACTS OFF
THINKS PEOPLE FRIENDLY

Ludwig G. a. *. Martens. so-oalled
Ambassador to the United states from
the Soviet Government of Russia, who
has been ordered deported by the
Labor Department, received a cable
gram yesterday from George Tchitch-
erins Soviet Commissar for Foreign
Affairs. ordering him to cancel all con-
tracts made in this country and return
TO Russia Immediately.
AS soon as he received the message
Martens announced that he would
notify the Labor Department that
there would be no appeal from the de-
portation order. II also was said at
Martens's office that publication of
the magazine called Souiet Russia.
financed by the BolshevilSi. would
cease unless private interests took it
over. Martens said that it would re-
quire two or three weeks to wind up
the affairs of his bureau. but that he
would leave the country as soon as
that was done.
The message from Moscow said
Your telegram of December Is. re-
Government 10 deport you received
The hostility OF the present American
Administration expressed in this act
cannot reflect the opinion of the Ameri-
can people. especially of the American
workers, who have given so many
warmly appreciated proofs of sylnpa thy
with the workers and peasants Of Rus
sia.
Under the most trying circumsta nces
YOU have during two years honorably
and patiently cndeavored TO carry out
the instructions received by you to es-
tablish friendly relations with the
United States. You did so notwithstand-
ing malicious insults and petty persecu-
tions on the part of some elements in
America, convinced that eventually the
common interests of the people of Amer
lea and Russia would eliminate the OBJ
stacles to understanding
Even now we are certain the masses
OF the American people will in due time
bring about such an under standing. At
The present moment. however, we are
confronted with the cold fact that
america which repeatedly avowed ner
good will toward the people of Russia
and with whom Russ q for many rea-
sons was eager TO develop mutually ad-
Nantageous cooperation in the economic
field. makes such cooperation impossi-
bic This Is done at a time when most
other nations of the world even sucf as
openly conducted war against us and
wasted no time on sentimental assur-
ances of friendship. are entering into
economic relations with Russia.
we must resign ourselves TO the ia ct
that Russia for the time being, due to
the hostile attitude OF the present Amer
lean Administration, will have to get
along without such cooperation. You
are Instructed TO return to Russia with
out delay. together with the Russian
citizens who are members of your staff.
and to cancel and liquidate, in Accord
ance with Instructions you viii receive
rom The Commissarat of Foreign
Trade. all orders placed with American
firms"
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
DEATH OF McGUINNESS
STILL HELD MYSTERY
Jury Declines to Accept
Theory of Suicide.

Although an autopsy was performed
yesterday in Jersey City on the body OF
John +. McGuinness. the prohibition
agent who was found dead of a bullet
wound In the head Friday afternoon at
Bayonne. a coroner's jury will await de-
velopments in the case before returning
verdict Department of Justice agents.
the Bayonne police and field agents
from the Federal Prohibition Enforce
ment Department in Manhattan contin-
ued their Investigations. reporting at the
end OF the day that no conclusive evil
dence has been found as vet to deter
mine the motive for the death
Detective Patrick Donovan or Bay
onne in charge of the investigation
there. came 20 New York yesterday to
discuss the case with Samuel VI. Sewell,
acting supervising prohibition agent. i'm
the absence of Chief Chaplin. Donovan
is OF the opinion that McGuinness's death
was "the clearest case OF suicide" Mr..
Sewell spent the late hours Of yesterday Y
afternoon listening to reports OF field
agents who had attempted to trace Nc
Guinnesss movement from the time he
left his home in Jersey City NJ 4. NJ.
Friday until his body was found on the
mud fats of Newark Bay. Mr.. Sewell
would express no opinion of the probable
cause Of McGuinnesss death.
1.-The Prohibition Enforcement De-
partment has not yet concluded its in
vestigations." he said. following inter
views with his men. I'VE will continue
until we are better satisfied than we are
now as to the cause OF McGuinness's
DEATH
Mr.. Sewell said that he had not heard
officially Of tho report that McCiuinness
had been seen on Staten Island Friday
morning. His office is not directly in
touch with William ]. Flynn. chief OF
the bureau of investigation Of the De-
partment OF Justice who is making
a personal investigation at the direction
Of Attorney-General Palmer The re-
quest for Federal Investigation was
made by Joseph T. Tumulty. secretary
to President Wilson. and a cousin oil
Mrs McGuinness. Mr.. Tumulty tele-
graphod 20 Prohibition Director Charles
r. O'Connor TO aid in the investigat ton
and his office will give what assistance
Is possible to Mr.. scwell and the enforce
ment department.
Dr A. u. Haskng, who performed the
autopsy. found that the bullet which
killed McGuinness was larger than n
32-calibre." A 3s-calibrc pistol was
found in AIcGuinness' hand when his
body was discovered. A coroners Jury
viewed the body.
The Bayonne police yesterday were
seeking man who was said to have
accompanied McGulnness TO butcher
shop n few hours before his body was
found.
Mr.. Flynn. who was in New York laat
night. said that he expected to obtain
report from his agents on the case within
two days. He spent Sunday in Bayonnc.
but turned the case over TO his opera
tives Yesterday.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
BIG VODKA STILLS
TAKEN IN JERSEY
AFTER GUN FIGHT
BlOodless Battle Ends With
Fall of Farm House and
Capture of Liquor.
FIRST RUSSIAN CATCH
Fischt Had Been Making
Native Drink for Slavs
in Philadelphia.
OFFICERS MUSTN'T DRINK
Magistrate Rules Evidence
Must Be Brought Intact,
Not i'm Stomach.
FIRST RUSSIAN CATCH
OFFICERS MUSTN'T DRINK

Two large stills i'm full operation and
forty gallons of whiskey and vodka
we're confscated yesterday by Federal
prohibition agents when they raided
the farm house of Andrew Fischt, near
Camden, n. j. When the officers first
attempted to enter the farm house they
were repulsed by Fischt. who was
heavily armed. He had barricaded the
front door and windows and stationed
himself near one Of the windows,
where it is charged he threatened them
with a.shotgun. He succeeded in hold
ing the officers off for nearly half an
hour, during which time several shots
were exchanged. No one was injured.
Finally Fischt surrendered and was
arrested by Chief of Police Baxter and
taken to Jail.
Fischt. a Russian, sold large quanti-
ties of whiskey to Russians In Philadel-
phia. his wife told the Federal officers
He specialized in the making of vodka.
she said. Federal agents declared that
this is the first time that quantity of
vodka has been confiscated since the
Eighteenth Amendment was enacted.
Fischt became drunk yesterday morn
ing, the officers declared. and forced his
wife and children to leave. They were
given shelter at a nearby farmhouse, but
returned to their home after the raid
Charges of violating the Walker ex-
else law against two Staten Island sa-
loon keepers were dismissed yesterday
by Magistrate William p. Croak at Sta
pleton. He ruled that instead of drinking
the liquor which it was alleged two Off
GERS purchased in the cafes, the officers
should have taken it away for chemical
analysis and their testimony that they
had consumed liquor in the cafes was
insufficient evidence.
The charges were brought against
Charles Kowalsky of 14O Jersey street,
New Brighton. and Richard Schmal of
2044 Richmond Terrace, West New
Brighton. Patrolman Daniel O'Conneli
and James p. Collins said they bought
drinks In Kowalsky's place nj the rate
of two for 75 cents and that Schmai
charged 80 cents for a single drink.
A fight in the saloon of Joseph Fer
Iimore at 652 Classon avenue. Brooklyn,
resulted yesterday in his arrest on the
charge of violating the Volstead act.
He was held in $1,000 bail by United
states Commissioner Hennessy.
Louis Cohn and Arthur Douglass, who
have a chemical shop at 55S De KalD
avenue. Brooklyn, were arraigned yes
terday before United States Commits
", ..tan
ing liquor in violation Of the Volstead
act. Federal agents declared they
found three barrels of alcohol on a truck
in front of the defendants shop. They
were held in $1,000 bail each for exam
ination January 3.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
MAGISTRATE BRINGS
LANDLORD TO TERMS
Enables Shelferless Family to
Get Apartment.

Just as Magistrate McQuade was pre-
pairing TO leave the West Side Court
yesterday Alberto Souadrelli rushed In
with his nine-year-old son and explained
that he. his wife and the boy had found
themselves out in the cold. wet street
because j. Moraschian. landlord OF 7cs
Eighth avenue, had refused to let them
move into an apartment after they had
paid SIS deposit.
Magistrate McQuade issued a sum
mons returnable Immediately, charging
tho landlord with unlawfully withhold
ing property, and sent Suuadrelli him
self to serve It. Twenty minutes later
the Squadreili boy ran back TO the cours
room, saying his father had served the
summons and the landlord thcreupon
told them TO move right In.
my father told me to thank you.-
the boy said.
That's all right; don't mention it,
replied the Magistrate.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28

""N""k'"Hs ~ u, Dec. u.
Department of Justice officials have
asked the Labor Department to speed mn
the cases of Gregory weinstein ana
others taken into custody as members OF
he Communist party of Russia. Wsin-
Wein was chancellor and counsellor ro,.
ludwig g. a. X. Martens recently or
dered dcported. II has been suggest ID
~ the Department OF Justice that Vein
STEMS case be heard at Ellis Island Inn
1ary ..
IL Is probable that the case OF trgeno
Neuwold. editor OF Eiogc. will be hearl
after Wenstein's. Officials here are
lnNious 10 get the cases cleared up.
'aking the view that as the presence OF
these men In tho country is harmful the
deportation proceedings should be held
as promptly as possible.
Both men are regarded as associates
and assistants TO Martens Action
against them. Il IS said. has been DELAYED
lending decision in the Martens ca SO.
which would set a precedent for his on
,irc corps OF workers. who were subject
90 deportation as aliens.
Commercial propaganda IL being usel
~ the United States I'm the Martens case
it Is alleged. efforts having been made
80 show the harmful effect on trade be-
.weon Russia and this country should
iartens leave. IN face OF this. how
ever. reports from John Sparro ,od
other visitors 10 the Soviet are discour-
aging from the business and commercial
standpoint
\ high official OF the American Gov
frnmcnt is In possession Of Information
10 the effect that Lenine has made II
Inown that he granted the vandcrlip
concessions with the direct intention OF
stirring trouble between two Of mo
1fcat capitalistic Powers" Japan and
thc United states. The Japanese cIai In
The right TO settle some Of the territory
involved under the provisions Of tic
treaty Of Portsmouth and the Soviet ,s
hopeful OF bringing real difficulty 10 tho
two Governments.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
VACCINATION BRANDED
MEDIC'S SUPERSTITION
Experienced Physician Has
Support of Others.

DIR. Elmer Lee, who has been practis-
ing medicine forty-fve years, character
ized vaccination as a superstition of
the medical profession at a meeting last
night in Masonic Hall in Port Richmond.
Staten Island. Several others made ar
guments against vaccination, among
them DR.. Lucien Christian, Dr. William
Bradshaw and DIR. William II. Thomas.
Arguments in favor of compulsory
vaccination were made by Dr.. Charles
Kingsley and DIR. S. Dana Hubbard OF
the Department of Health Las nights
meeting was arranged by those opposed
TO vaccination. and those favoring II will
hold a meeting on January Z in st.
George. About fifty persons composed
the audience last night.
Recently the father Of a girl was ar
rested for falling to send his daughter TO
school He said she had been refused
admittance because he would not permit
her 70 be vaccinated.
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
WHITE PLAINS MUSIC
LOVERS HOODWINKED
Vicfimized by Young Man
Who Promised Concert.

A young man went to White Plains
one day last week. hired the Palace
Theatre for last Saturday night and
pacarded the town with the announce
ment that "Pryor's Band of Sixty
Pieces" would give a Christmas con-
cert. Many bought tickets of him az
he stood In the box office. Nary n
toot did they hear and a general exodus
TO tho box office began.
The young man. however was no.
where to he found, neither was the
s2.0o0 that II was estimated The music
loving citizens turned over to him. The
police learned yesterday that the young
man had no connection with tho band
and Mr.. Pryor had not heard lie was
engaged for Christmas evening. The
owners Of the theatre said they merely
rent out their place and have nothing
10 do with the performances. They
are looking for rent money from the
young man-
The New York herald., 1920-12-28
AS A SNOWSTORM
IT WAS A FLIYYER
But There's a High Powered
Gale Swirling From the
Northwest.

The fall of snow that ceased early
yesterday morning after depositing
about an inch and half on the five
boroughs, was meteorological flivver
viewed as a snow storm. 1t lacked all
the elements of a winter storm, having
neither wind force nor frigidity. and
turning to just slush before noon. A
fog lasting several hours followed.
hampering local navigation and caus-
ing two freight steamships, the Bill
batter. British registry, bound for
Queenstown, and the Stavangeren,
Norwegian. from Curacao with a load
of coffee, to collide while cropping in
the upper bay. The Briton was badly
damaged and went to anchor off Staten
Island: the Stavangeren, also damaged,
docked in Brooklyn and will be laid up
for repairs.
The snow was manifestation of the
swirlng skirts of a cyclone centred
yesterday in the lake region. 1t is
scheduled by the official spirit OF
prophecy to coalesce perhaps early this
morning, with another big cyclonlc re-
volver that was playing high jinls
yesterday afternoon in eastern Virginia.
The scene of double whirling dervish-
ness may be north of us. The Weather
passing. to drag down a rafting north
wester, and 1t ordered northwest storm
warnings displayed on all stations. from
Cape Hatteras to New York. which
means that a blast of gale force at least
may be expected
The tallest temperature yesterday
was 80 at noon, when the rain made
It needless to call out the snow removal
forces. Street cleaners with hose helped
to rush the melted snow into sewers.
The snow removal bureau of the Street
Cleaning Department issued call for
extra workmen early in the day, offer
ing emergency workers 65 cents an hour.
15 cents more an hour than was paid
for the same work last year.
At the height Of the morning rush
hour subway traffic was snarled at
three points. Traffic on the Fourth ave-
nue. line OF the b. II. I. between Canal
and Whitehall streets was tied up for
an hour by the grounding OF a shoe
beam on the curve at Whitehall street.
Five eastbound trains on the Inter-
borough were stalled at the Nevins
street station. Brooklyn, transfer point
by short circuit caused by water drip
ping Oh the third rail. Some excite
ment was caused among the arriving
passengers by the heavy smoke which
filled the station. but employees hurried
the most panicky persons to the street
and there were no accidents. Traffic on
the southbound express track OF the
PETERBOROUGH at Broadway and Seventy
second street was delayed about ten
minutes when Transforming fuse blew
out as a train rolled into the station
during the rush hour. Pungent smoke
drifted into the cars and over the plat
form. Three passengers received medi-
cal attention for suffocation.