The New York herald., 1921-11-28
GUNS DRAWN IN DRY
RAID Off BROADWAY.
Walters and Patrons Turn
on Agents in Three Kings
Restaurant.
THREE ARE LOCKED UP
Women Accompany Sleuths
on Trip Through the
Theatre District.
-
EVERY PLACE FOUND WET
Proprietor of the Roma and a
Waiter Are Among the
Prisoners.
EVERY PLACE FOUND WET

Revolvers were drawn by squad OF
prohibition agents before they could
make their arrests In one OF several
suspected restaurants in the theatre
district which were raided Saturday
night and early yesterday morning.
The squad, composed OF Agents Wit
temberg. Kerrigan and Toplitz, ac-
companied by three women friends,
went out in evening dress with the
special purpose of cleaning up Broad
way retreats of the thirsty
They visited the Three Kings restau-
rant in 126 West Forty first street
shortly after midnight, while its two
large rooms were crowded with after
theatre patrons. This restaurant, ac-
cording to the agents who made the
raid, has enjoyed some of the best
speak easy" trade in the city.
To obtain entrance, they say it was
necessary to be provided with the busi-
ness card of the establishment with the
name Joseph" written on 1t. THIS
passed the bearer and his friends
through a gate In the basement, where
= lookout was stationed. Then the word
Joseph" had to be r-peated again to
be ushered upstairs into the dining room.
Agent Wittenberg says he went
through this formula, accompanied by
Kerrigan and their guests. while Toplitz
and the other member Of the party re-
manned outside. When they were seated
ut table. the agents says, they ordered
three drinks-two Scotch whiskeys and
ginger ale highball. Everywhere about
.hem drinks were being served.
There was sudden confusion in the
restaurant when the two men jumped
up and announced that they We're pro-
hibition agents. They charge that two or
three of the walters jumped for them
and tried to rough them. and that some
patrons Joined in the mixup. Witten-
berg and Kerrigan were forced TO pull
their guns. The former ran downstairs
and brought Toplitz in. and then the
three agents quieted the crowd.
Many left the place in hurry. There
was sudden demand for taxis in West
Forty-tirst street. and the word spread
quickly that raiding was going OF in
the theatre district. The agents made
no more arrests in that section. but in
the Three Kings they took into custody
Jose~h NJ. Dragoni, the manager, on n
charge of possession and Of maintaining
q nuisance. and David J. Priori and John
Desar. walters, charged with selling
The three were locked up In the West
Thirtieth street station.
A little earlier In the evening the
same squad visited The Roma, in s7s
Sivth avenue. There they began talking
football, and then turned the CONVERSE
ton to whiskeys and ginger ale high
balls. These, they say. were not only
brought to them. but entered on their
check At the Roma they arrested AL
bert e Casselli. the proprietor. and
Joseph San Pedro, waiter. They also
we're locked UP in the West Thirtieth
street station.
After they left the Three Kings, the
aeents went east and raided cafes at
forty-first street and Third avenue. 115
First avenue, 273 Third avenue. and the
rear OF an army and navy goods store
at Eiehty-ninth street and Third avenue,
making arrests In each nlace.
The Red star lincr Laplard. IN ye=ter-
day from Antwerp and Southampton,
was subjected TO an unusually thorough
overhauling by the recently enlarged
searching squad Of customs men. whose
specialty is finding smuggled liquor.
They visited the rooms Of the si,inp"r
and officers. as we'll as the berths OF
'eamen. stewards and the engineering
and ireroom force. but. II was said later,
lid not uncover much booze.