The New York herald., 1921-06-11
LIQUOR JURY TURNS
IN FIRST CONVICTION
Cafe Keeper Found Guilty of
Selling Whiskey In Viola
ton Of New State Law.
MERCY Is RECOMMENDED
PecOra Now Satisfied That
Mullan- Gage Prohibition
Act Will Be Enforced.
MERCY Is RECOMMENDED

The first conviction after a jury trial
Of a violator of the Mullan-Gage pro-
hibition laws in New York county was
obtained yesterday in the Extraor-
binary Term of the Supreme Court
before Justice Borst. when Michael
Ravensky, a cafe proprietor and for
mer licensed saloonkeeper. was found
guilty of possessing liquor in his estab-
lishment, at 1874 Avenue A. The jury
returned verdict after two hours de-
liberation.
The first three trials of alleged vio-
lators of the dry laws resulted in de-
feats for the prosecution. Two defend
ants were acquitted. The third jury
could not agree on a verdict.
Patrolman Joseph Blaha of the Fourth
Inspection District obtained the evidence
against Ravensky by looking through
the plate glass window of the cafe. HI
saw the defendant pour what appeared
to be whiskey into two glasses and carr,
them to patrons in rear room. Wher
the patrolman entered. Ravensky threw
the liquor on the floor, but Blaha found
more than a quart of whiskey behind
the bar.
Rayensky is an Austrian. who has
taken out his first papers for citizenship
When he was arraigned in the magis-
trate's court following his arrest. he
pleaded guilty, but he told the court yes.
terday that he had entered this plea be-
cause ne misunderstood judicial pro-
cedure He changed 1t TO not guilty
when he went on trial before Justice
Borst Ravensky will appear for SEN
tence on Tuesday. The jury recon-
mended clemency.
Ferdinand Pecora. Assistant District
Attorney, engaged in the trial of liquor
cases. said yesterday: II have all faith
in the Jury system and ] am not decry-
ing II in the trial of dry law offenders.
Jurors will do what is proper to en-
force The Mullan-Gage law, as they will
any other law
Out of twenty-three cases OF alleged
violation of the dry laws presented to
the Grand Jury by Assistant District
Attorney Unger yesterday. six indict-
ments were found.
In the Federal court In Brooklyn yes-
terday difficulty again was encountered
In obtaining a jury. Decided opposition
10 the prohibition law was expressed
among twelve men who were called to
the box in the trial of Abe Liquorman
and Jacob Preminger. both sides Intend
ing 10 accept them IL at all possible.
But when Assistant United states At
torney Kopff asked II any one felt he
could not serve William Bradley of 1s44
Dean street. Brooklyn. said he was
strongly opposed TO the manner In
which prohibition was obtained. SO did
A. r. Buckridge OF 81 Stevens Court and
several others. Another twelve men
were called and accepted.
The Brooklyn office OF the Federal
prohibition enforcement agents probably
will be reopened soon. This action
would follow the appropriation OF S0vo.-
900 Just made By Congress for the en-
forcement of the volstead act.
In Manhattan Federal Agent Reager
arrested owners and bartenders In four
former licensed saloons on charges OF
selling II was stated at enforcement
Headquarters that Federal agents with
I'm the last few days have made ten
raids. resulting in twenty-one prisoners.
which the Government men say Ia a
better record than 1900 police have
made I'm the same period.