New-York tribune., 1920-12-14
Six Go to Jail
In Newark War
On Liquor Curb
Seven Other Bootleggers
Heavily Fined as Police
and Federal Authorities
Combine for Clean-Up
Crusade Will Continue
Safety Director Brennan
Resents Charge That His
Men Aid Illegal Traffic

bOOtlSSSSIS NOW III Newark, y. j q,
was deserted last night Thirteen vio-
lators of the Nostead act had felt the
lash of Uncle Sam. Six Of them had
been given Jail sentences as Christmas
presents and therefore there was a
slump in trade.
"Bootleggers' Row" otherwise known
as the "Whiskey Curb is on Halsey
Street, near Branford Place The
"members' of this outdoor exchange
made possible by prohibition, were in
many cases we'll known and not alto
gether popular Gunmen, who had aban-
doned the hold-up trade for the mar
ketng Of whisky-so called. They had
prospered to the extent of becoming
respectable citizens. That is, they
owned their own homes and drove
about in cars they hadn't had to bother
to steal
And then the oft-quoted monkey
wrench was tossed into the ma
chine. Director Brennan Of Public
Safety got wind of what was going on
and set the police upon the traders on
the "whisky curb and arrests resulted.
Some of the members" continued to do
business, trading in diamonds instead
of colored and etherized water. Others
"retired.
Three Policemen Suspended
But Director Brennan has not re-
tired. He said yesterday that he will
continue his fight against persons at
tempting to commercialize the Vol
stead act, especially so long as the
police Of Newark face accusations of
being involved. Three policemen al
ready have been suspended in conncc-
tion with the investig tigation.
One of these policemen is held in
$4,000 bail on charge of burglary
and in addition is charged by saloon
keeper with having soid MIN whisky
Two other policemen are suspended and
awaiting trial on charge of having
eXtorted money from bootleggers.
and are being investigated by Lieuten-
ant Frank +. Brex, special investigator
appointed by Director Brennan.
In addition to all this. Director
Brennan has ordered an investigation
of all Newark cafes as a result Of Ger
tain charges that policemen have fre-
quented d roadhousc which has been
under suspicion for some time.
Persons who have been interested in
prohibition enforcement have looked
upon Newark as the point from which
most Of the liquor has been distributed
in this part Of the country since the
Nolstead act was made law. Persons
living in the New Jersey city knew
that "whiskg curb had been estab-
liohed and those interested watched
certain persons evolve from thugs with
police records to prosperous citizens
with limousincs. Director Brennan
was on the watch also, but there was
little he could do for, as he said yes
terday, these men were doing busi-
ness with men who had to violate the
law themselves if they bought whisky
and we could get no one to testify
against the bootleggers"
Brennan Orders Roundup
However, in September, Director
Brennan ordered a roundup Of the
curb as their market and forty-nnc
were taken TO court on a charge Of lott
ering. All paid their fines, and that
was the end Of the matter until a re-
port was circulated that police were
seen frequently in a roadhouse out in
the section that formerly was known
as Waverly part Of Newark.
Something had to be done TO cleal
Newark Of the reputation Of being L
safe place for hottleggcrs. Lieutenant
BreX was placed IN charge Of an IN
Icstigation.
Within short time Adam Dresch, {
policeman attached to the Sixth Pre-
cinct, was arrested on complaint Of
George May, d saloonHeepcr at 8l4 Bcr-
gen Street, who charged that Dresct
broke into Mays saloon and stole
whisky. Drcsch. on order from Direc
i tor Brennan, was suspended and va.
( hcld in 5000 bail on the burg lary
charge. Then May accused the police
man Of having sold him $50 worth Of
whisky.
Soon aftcrward Policemen Bcrdcsky
aud Walters, also Of the sixth precinct
we're suspended after they had beer
charged with attempting TO cxtort S6(
from drivers Of truck loaded vitf
whisky. They are held in $500 bal
each and will be heard in police court
lhuraday morning and also in Fedora
court Friday afternoon.
Lieutenant Brcx said: 'I am il
atIucted by Director Brennan to spare
no man, policeman, officer or citizen. il
,nis lnYcsti2ation. II the police are
guilty Of connivinG With bootlcggcri
then they should be and will be pun.
ifhed. Every case get | viii press tC
Inc