New-York tribune., 1921-04-22
Rabbis Appeal to Leach
for Relief, but He Holds
Civil Court Action Only
Can Release the Liquor
Deliveries Halt as
Seizure Is Feared
al More Indictments, 13l
Held; Much Rum Taken {;
Victim Sues Magistrate

The most perplexing problem born of
sse enforcement here of the new state
,rohibition law was presented ycster-
ssy. when it developed that the anti
uucr crusade of the police will scri-
ously interfere, according to rabbis,
WITH the observance of the Jewish
Passover, which begins at sundown to-
night.
Asserting that the Jews of the city
probably would be short thousands of
rsons of wine Tor sacramental pur-
poses, delegation of rabbis appealed
for advice to First Deputy Police Com
missioner John A. Leach, in charge of
the liquor drive, and to Robert S. John
stone, of the Bureau of Appeals. They
received little consolation from the Of
icals.
Commissioner Leach told the rabbis
and also delegation of whole salers
that he could not advise them concern
ing the large quantity Of wine now
under seizure by the police or as to
what steps they should take to procure
vine to-day.
Police Hold Up Wholesalers
The rabbis declared that while thev
understood the law was designed to
permit the supply of wine for sacra-
mental uses they found that it was
hindering, them. They complained
that wholesalers who were supplying
the wine have been held up by the
police in the streets and did not care
TO take any further chances.
Without sufficient time before the
Passover feast to bring an action in
the Supreme Court to decide the uucs-
ton the rabbis said they were in n
quandary. Regarding the wine under
seizure. Commissioner Leach Informed
The rabois it could not be released be-
sore its ownership was determined by
ayil action.
Acting Assistant District Attorney
ls'b H. Banton said that Commissioner
|. Zach was correct, and added that the
raspects of the legal tangle being
enlightened out before tonight
ismed hopeless.
Commissioner Leach was informed
y one OF the wholesalers that he had
s,Oo0,00O worth of wine for sacra-
mental purposes on wheels and in
stock, but that as his employees were
being arrested while making deliveries
he was determined to stop the move
msnt.
Law Has Too Many Teeth
i've heard of laws with teeth in
'hem," said the wholesaler, "but this
one Is like porcupine. 1t stings you
wherever you touch it,"
relieving the meeting with the rab-
DIS and wholesalers, Commissioner
Leach said he had been unable to find
solution for the problem.
Inc VINE now in possession of the
police must remain there until it's
ownership is decided, even though the
parties concerned may have obtained
alsmlssals In court" said Commissioner
Leach. Il told the rabbis | could not
acvIse them as to the movement of
vine to-day. They said there was a
ssrlous shortage, due to the seizures,
Out | guess they have sufficient wine
on hand for their needs"
yner Developments yesterday in the
antl'liquor crusade were:
New York County grand jury voted
aalctments against eighteen alleged
noators of the Mullen-G Gage act,
sweiling the total number of liquor
rue bills to 113 out of 748 complaints
now Nv IN the District Attorneys Office.
Ihe local police made 1O3 arrests,
increasing the total to date to 1851,
ana seized alleged spirits said to be
'alued at more than 100000.
iwenty-three Indicted in Brooklyn
In In Brooklyn the Kings County grand
Iii,y returned twenty three liquor in
llctments and the police of that hor-
.;ss ousa and of Queens made twenty
eight arrests.
tsoao H. Banton, Acting District At
,~;aey, ,uy, announced he was ready to file
functions a%unct'ons against and levy liens on
osen seized. ''A'
counter action in the liquor drive
cgshveloped yesterday when Magistrate
srsa saafes Z. Simms and Patrolman Clar-
ssss. sSss Weaver, of the West Forty
'''sn'n Street station, were made CO.