The New York herald., 1921-08-25
BOOTLECGERS FLEE
TO EUROPE IN FEAR
State Agent Seeks to Cut
Off Exodus by Ban on
Passports.
MANY GROWN WEALTHY
Government EX Officials
and Local Politicians Ex-
posed in Inquiry.
TRICK GETS WHISKEY
Accused Alcohol Dealer Has
$4,000 in Cash When Held
in Seizure Of Rum.
TRICK GETS WHIsKEY

Many men who have made fortunes in
the liquor traffic in this and other cities
through legitimate or forged permits
have left this country on account OF
secret investigation into their activities
by Harold L. Hart, State Prohibition
director.
To stem the exodus OF millionaire
bootleggers" the State Department is to
DO asked to deny passports to persons
even suspected OF violation of the Vol
stead act These are said to include
former Government officials under the
previous Administration, more or less
prominent politicians in this city and
State. business men and others.
Firms and individuals holding liquor
permits at any time before Mr. Hart
took office few months ago have been
obliged to turn over all their records OF
transactions to Howard r. Kiroack. Mr..
Harris aid.
The inquiry has revealed that hun
dreds OF men known to have been made
rich by the Illicit whislSey traffic have
made false statements In their income
tax returns, in mulcting the Federal and
State governments out of millions.
Mr.. Hart was somewhat perturbed by
publication Of the story of the investiga-
tion in some newspapers yesterday
morning. He declared the publicity
might cause certain men to leave the
country, as others had done.
II do not care to make any statement
on the matter at this time said Mr..
Hart. who was appointed Through
George A. Glynn, Republican State
chairman. "The investigation is get
ting to a point where we believe we are
arriving at most satisfactory results.
The inquiry is being carried on by my
department through our own agents. and
it will continue unhampered until great
many matters pertaining to bootlegging
win be cleaned up
Have many of the men YOU have the
goods on left the country Mr.. Hart
was asked. =,
"Yes." and / believe some Of them will
soiourn In Europe for some time to
come" he replied.
"Will their income tax returns he
checked up. as is usually the case OF
persons leaving for foreign landsT
"I do not care to go into this phase
OF the subject at this time"
Evidence collected by Mr. Hart $
agents including Mr.. Kiroack. soon VIII
he placed in the hands of the United
States Attorney. who will place II pefore
the Federal Grand Jury.
A small automobile truck loaded with
thirty-five cases of whiskey stopped In
ths vicinity Of Seventh avenue and
Ninth street, South Brooklyn. at Z
o'clock on Wednesday evening. 1t was
followed closely by a touring car m
which were a man and a woman acting
as rear guard. They were met by
Federal prohibition agents acting as
prospective purchasers OF the hduor,
and with the four men on the truck
were placed under arrest.
About a week ago Wallace Z. ]. Col
Ijns. United States Attorney. obtain ID
secret information. which resulted in the
sending of William $. Kissick and John
U. Davis. prohibition agents, to the
plant of the Commercial Alcohol Com
pany. 226 to $50 Lafayette street Man
haitian. The two gained the confidence
OF Mrs Mary White OF 5o6 West 111th
street
According to Mr. Collins the agents
chase Of 200 cases of whiskey at s75 4
case. tho first allotment OF thirty-five
10 be delivered at South Brooklyn adj
a.ress, where cash would be available on
delivery.
IN the touring car with Mrs. White
was Anthony Cassese. head of the Com
mercial Alcohol Company. Mrs. Whit,
alghtcd and asked Kissick and Davis
for $685. In payment for ths thirty-fivo
cases of whiskey about TO be delivered.
Besides Mrs. White and Cassese the
other four placed under arrest were
James Abbott OF oS2 West 132d street:
Albert Bart of 425 East flsth street:
James Bruno OF i7S First avenue and
William Monteuse OF 10 Walker avenue
Long Island City. All six were held fn
5000 bail each by United States Conn
missioner Barmore. This ball was fS1r
nished from $4,000 in cash which
Cassese had with him.
On Mrs. White was found a letter
relative to the sale of 1000 cases OF
whiskey and receipts showing the sale
Of liquor to places in Manhattan and
on Long Island, according to Mr..
Collins
At ths office OF the prohibition direc-
tor, Mr.. Hart 1t was said there was no
record of a liquor permit granted to tho
Commercial Alcohol Company.
Out of twenty-three liquor cases pre-
sented to the New York County Grand
Jury for August by Alfred n. JTnger.
Assistant District Attorney. only four
indictments wsre found yesterday.