The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-21

Chief Inspector Lahey denied them
selves to reporters IL was learned that
II il becomes necessary even more dras-
tic measures will be taken than those
already instituted. For the present the
officials will rely upon the efficacy or
the nightstick and the squads con-
stantly on the move. The number OF
police reservists assigned TO night duty
will be materially increased in the next
few days. One of the things delaying
the gathering of greater force imme-
diately is the difficulty of obtaining
automobiles. All the available depart
ment cars have been impressed into SER
vice, with the result that the reservists
viii have to depend upon private cars.
Considerable significance was attached
TO the tlsrsfer by Commissioner En-
right of thirteen policemen from the
Charles street station 10 the west
Forty-seventh street and west AVolh
street precincts. The Commissioners re-
fused to comment on the transfers or
answer a written inquiry, but II was
stated by those in a position 70 kno"
that the men taken from Charles street
are a few of the heavy hitters Mr.
Enright is snobilizing, and that tne!
nave proved their worth in fights win
gangsters in Greenwich village anu
along the waterfront.
While the lineup of suspects was the
largest in some time 1t was said that IL
did not in any way reflect the actuai
number of persons taken INTO CUSTODY
and who had been taken TO station
houses 20 prove their identity
Many TT ken I'm PoolroOms.
Many OF the prisoners were taken to
court on disorderly conduct charges
Arnong these were twenty-five men ar
rested by detectives of the Social Service
Division IN poolrooms in East 125th
tAeeet They were charged with vagrancy
slncs they would not give the detectives
q satisfactory explanation as 10 how they
earned their living. Twenty-three We're
discharged when arraigned before Masls-
;rate Norman J. Marsh In Harlem Court
Michael Kanes. who said his home was
IN Albany, and Raymond Sterling who
claimed Detroit as his home, were held
IN 81 900 bail each for hearing to-n1or-
row. They explained they had come to
this city to visit friends whose address
they were not able TO give.
A squad of detectives working in Har-
lem entered coffee house in First ave-
nuas and "frisked" every man in the
place. Detective John Crosby arrested
Rafph Damore of 446 East 117th
street on charge of violating the Sui
livan law. The detective said he found
a loaded pistol in Damore's pocket.
When arraigned before Magistrate Marsh
Dsmore was held for Special Sessions.
Even the Bowery. which recently has
been more or less of a peaceful thorough
fare, was not overlooked by the raiders
A squad headed by Policeman John l..
Sullivan found three men lettering at
Third street. They could not give salts
factory explanations and were arrested
on vagrancy charges.
So far as could be asceRtained. since
both Inspectors Lahey and Commissioner
Enright refused to see reporters. the re-
organization of the police force for the
emergency has not yet hit what might
be termed the soft spots"
The half hour rule for dinner was in
stituted under Arthur Woods when he
was Commissioner because 1t was found
that most of the policemen tried on
charges of being Off post explained they
had been getting a bite TO eat
sailor Killed I'm HoIdup.
James Russell. so, ships cook. was
the victim of the outstanding crime of
the day. He was sitting on a radiator
Just inside the doorway OF the Sailors
Home and Institute at Jane and West
streets at 6 80 o'clock In the morning
when two masked men pushed their way
into the room. One of the bandits was
tall and the other short. The latter
opened fire as soon as he entered. Rus
sell fell with a bullet In the, stomach.
Three other men. including Arthur Muir
dock. the night clerk, were backed
against the wall ~
Unlike the tactics OF other highway
men, these ordered their victims to keep
their hands down for fear persons pass
ing IN the street might see them and
realize what was happening. While the
short man kept the trio covered thu tall
one entered Gagged arrangement in the
centre Of the room and stole $500 from
a small safe. This money was the eann-
ings OF sailors which had been deposited
at the institute for safe keeping The
bandits escaped. Russell was dead when
an ambulance surgeon arrived.
The justices. Judges and magistrates
OF the city courts announced that they
will cooperate with the police in every
way TO help rid the city OF criminals
Judges John F. Mcintyre and Otto A
Rosalsky of General Sessions increa sed
the bail Of half a dozen men charged
with. crimes Of violence. Some Of these
men had been at liberty on bail Of $2.50C
and 1t was increased to $4,000. Both
Judges declared that hereafter they will
follow the practice OF levy.ng heavy bal
in all cases of persons charged witt
violence. Judge Rosalsky directed tina;
all cases OF burglary. robbery and high.
way robbery be placed at the head OF
the calendar so that the procession tc
Sing Sing may be started.