New-York tribune., 1920-01-27
200 Recruits
To Join Search
For IntOxicants
Revenue Force Augmented
for City Wide Drive
Against Niolators of
Federal Prohibition Act
Zone System To Be Used
Public Warned to Demand
Credentials of Inspectors;
Fake Agents at Work

Two hundred recently enlisted rev.
cnue agents are to be let loose upon
New York tomorrow morning, accord
ing to an announcement made >yester-
day afternoon by James Shevlin, Fed
cral prohibition superintendent Of the
New York district. These additions to
the large force which now is engaged
in nosing out illicit liquors have been
training for week under the super
vision of old hands at the game. They
will complete their course of instruc-
tion to-day, Shevlin said, and to-mor-
row morning ali WISE traffickers in
kick h-containng liquids will proceed
with extreme caution.
Incidentally, according to the rev.
en1e men, fake inspectors have been
operating in New York for the last
few days, causing trouble not only for
violators of the Eighteenth Amend
ment, but also for members of the
revenue force. Therefore, says Shev-
lin, any person approached by some
one who represents himself to be an
agent of the department is urged to
demand credentials.
Each bona fide inspector Is provided
with the regulation Treasury Depart
ment certificate, contained In q red
leather case. The certificate bears the
signature of the officer. Some of the
more recent recruits will carry letter
signed either by Shevlin or j. F. kra-
mer, of Washington.
Would Protect Public
"We want to protect the public" Mr.
Shevln said. "if man gives up his
liquor stores, or permits any man to
ask him personal questions as to
liquor without first making sure that
his interrogation is properly ac-
credited representative of the public,
that is up to him. All my men will
carry credentials and will show them
when asked
There already have been numerous
raids and some important captures. SO
many Illicit stills and containers of
illegal liquors have been confiscated
that yesterday the officers were Obliged
20 move the superhuous furniture out
of room 515 in the Custom House to
provide accommodation for the "evi-
dence"
In order to facilitate the work of
rounding up offenders the city will be
divided into zones. Shevin said. A
revenue officer will be appointed to
iake charge of each zone and in
spectors viii work through him.
In the Bronx yesterday the police
gallons of alleged Illicit liquor, which
IS said to be the property of Mrs.
Regina Ohringer, 1919 Simpson Street.
Bronx. Mrs. Ohringer and Emanuel
Schwartzkopf. 1886 Webster Avenue.
were each held in $500 bail by United
states Commissioner Samuel Hitch
cock
Much Alcohol Seized
1t was stated that the defendants
arrived with taxicab at Mrs. Ohr-
myers home and unloaded several
demljohns, said to contain alcohol,
rom the cab into Mrs Ohringer's
apartment Their activities were OBJ
served by the police Of the Simpson
Street station, which. is directly op-
noslte the Ohringer apartment, and the
arrests were made by men from that
station. Jacon Graft attorney for Mrs.
ohringer, said the alcohol was to be
used for medicinal purposes.
There were several convictions and
two dsmissals in connection with pro-
hibitIon violation cases yesterday.
United States District Attorney Leroy
w. Ross, of Brooklyn, declined to en-
tertaln complaint of alleged violation
% the new regulations against Louis
Regas, proprietor OF a restaurant at
IA Third Avenue, Brook lyn, and John
Mclaughlin.
Reeas was alleged to have sold wine
and Mclaughlin was said to have been
the custodian Of a quantity of whisky
seized at the clubhouse Of the William
q. Ryan Association, 578 Hamilton Ave
nue.. Brooklyn. District Attorney Ross
declared that both men were innocent
of any wrongdoing.
Fines and nominal Jail sentences were
imposed by Federal Judge Chatfeld in
Brooklyn yesterday on several men
convicted OF violating the prohibition
laws. james Squelica, 253 Navy Street.
was fined $40 and given one day in
jail for making wine John Schmack-
enberg. 62 Jefford Street, was fined
$loo and sentenced to three days in
jail for selling whisky Max Gelles, II
Bedford Avenue, got $50 and one dav
IN JAIL tor selling wine; Joseph Car
lucci, 9S6 Atlantic Avenue, was fined
$50 and given one day in jail for sell
ing wine and Robert Tolle, 3O1 Stage
Street, was fined 800 for having vine
on his property.
In Trenton Federal Judge Davis fined
Abram Abrams, q saloonkeeper $3.50 for
selling liquor.