The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-21
CROOKS ROUNDUP r AILS ID STEM
 FLOOD Of CRIME
New York Criminal Courts Clear Calendars for Action Against Robbers, All Cases
 Being Advanced
By Associated Press

nCWSpdpeTS IoIllEHl dllet WHdt was described as the first day of the most sweeping roundup of crooks in the history of New York
 During the day amid numerous records was one where a gunman in- vaded the seamen's mission on the waterfront and shot and killed one man while stealing s4o0.
 But at the roll call in police sta tions this afternoon were two orders that indicated Commissioner EnriSht intends to push the round to the limit.
 The first command was for patrol men to stop and question all pedes- trians found between midnight and dawn on unfrequented streets and if their actions arouse suspicion, to search them for firearms.
 The second order revoked permis- sion for policemen to take half an hour for meals while on Guty
 Revocation of the meal hour permis- sion came after the board of estimates had postponed until tomorrow further consideration of a request by Com missioner Enright for nearly 500 uni formed members of his force
 CLEARED FOX ACTION
 Meanwhile criminal courts cleared their calendars for action against rob Der bands. All cases gainst burglars and highwaymen were advanced, and heavy penalties inflicted in cases where a verdict of guilty was re turned.
 While the municipal authorities were preparing to launch their offensive on the underworld, the American legion, Merchants association and other bodies met to lay plans Of their own
 The American legion dispatched Il letter to Mayor Hylan offering him "the services of from 500 to 5000 selected members of the legion to re- inforce the, regularly constituted po- lice force of Greater New York at such time as you, the chief executive of the city, and responsible for the maintenance of law and order. may de termined that their services are needed"
 This offer is made recognizing the responsibility of the individual mem bers of the legion as citizens and does not contemplate the offering the as- sistance of the legion in matters in- volving disputes, added the letter
 Steps taken in other cities to check crime waves were discussed at the H-ttliiS OI LHe tnefcHdntS aSSOcld HOT which appointed a committee to study the situation in New York
 Mrs Lucille Emma Brooks. who is under arrest with John Cayanaugl, and Nicholas Loresch in connection with the shooting of Police Lieutenant Floyd Norton in d running fight with gangsters after a holdup last week today appeared before a grand jury.
 Before testifying, she was said tu have declined to sign d waiver of i'm nunity. According to attaches of the criminal courts building this preven f, prosecution of her in the present case It was reported she had signed q statement, but it's contents were no; made public.
 Mrs. Brooks was one of eight witnesses summoned by Assistant District Attorney Dienen, who appeared before the legal body to ask for first-degree murder ln- Iictments in the Horton case Examina- ton of witnesses will be continued to- morrow.
 THINKS WIFE INNOCENT
 John Walter Brooks, n Chicago insur- ance man. who hastened here to his wife's assistance, accompanied her into he criminal courts building. In receiy- ing newspaper men, he reiterated his confidence in Mrs. Brooks innocence He said she was B years old and a na- tive of Russia. Asked if he knew the persons with whom Mrs Brooks was al- legged to have been riding in the car from whose running board Horton fell to his death with bullet in his lungs. MT. Brooks said he believed he had seen Nichols Loresch deliver drug store sup plies to the apartment the Brooks once occupied near Barnard college, and that John Cavanaugn was the son of jan- tress in another apartment house in which they had lived.
 MT. Dfenen said that under examina- ton Mrs. Brooks admitted having been drinking the night of the Horton killing, but denied having any weapon with her
 According to the version of her exami- nation given out by the district attor- ney's office, Nick Loresch was assist ing her to move by automobile to Brook lyn when they met Joseph Loresch and Cavanaugh, with whom she had several drinks.
 She was quoted as saying that later she went for an automobile ride witt, the party. heard a shot. saw a man jump on the running board. realized that she herself was wounded, and became dazed. The next thing she knew. she said. according to MT Dienen. she wal being taken home by Nick
 statement issued by the woman's at torney coincides in the main with Mrs Proofs version of her story, except that it made no mention of the drinking.
 Five men were arrested in an Eighth avenue jewelry store tonight while. po- lice charged, they were attempting tq dispose of s15COo worth of goods said to have been stolen from a warehouse
 ROB EXPRESS TRUCK
 Toledo. Ohio. December 2o.-Three ,.I,r fexht l,nJI