New-York tribune., 1921-01-01
Arrests Reveal
Wide Traffic by
Liquor Rings
Papers, Permits and Telc-
grams Seized With Pris-
oners at McAlpin Show
City Flooded With Whisky
Many Groups Operating
System by Which Intoxicants
Are Taken From Ware
houses Permits Leakage

The operatives of the special intell-
gence unit of the Nureau of Internal
Revenue, who uncovered the alleged
wholesale traffcking in forged liquor
permits that resulted in the arrest of
three men and two women, have also
discovered that there are several
groups engaged in flooding the city
with liquor i!licitly obtained from gov
ernment controlled warehouses.
The existence Of these groups was
revealed. it is said, in the bundle of
papers, permits and kilograms, seized
at the time four of the five accused per-
sons were arrested in the Hotel Meal
pin. Throughout the day yesterday the
operatives were engaged in carefully
studying the docum ents, which may re-
suit in several more arrests.
Prohibition Director Charles R.
O'Connor said yesterday that so far
ence of any central whisky ring, but
there was every eveidence of num-.
ber of groups engaged in the same prac-
tice.
Flaws in Checking System
The operatives are particularly in
vestigating the connections of Edward
Twelfth Avenue, Brooklyn, who was
described by Assistant District Attor-
ney Cahill as being the principal in
The alleged conspiracy to obtain the
sorged permits, and the alleged theft of
- kilograms of confirmation from the
dlstilleries. 1t was the theft of the
kilograms, alleged to have been made
by Miss Regina Sassone, che filing clerk
in Mr.. O'Connor office. that covered
up the working OF the scheme and per-
mltted it to operate successfully, Off
ciais say.
Az result of the arrest of Donegan,
Signund Rosenfcld, Antonio Papano,
Miss Sassone and Mrs. Mary c.. Park
If checking up on the removal of
liquors from warehouses has been
fully revealed, and an entirely new
scheme Of control is now in the proc
ess of formation.
Director O'Connor said yesterday
that in future all permits will be print
cd upon specially prepared water
marked paper. Hitherto his Office has
not been able to secure this paper, and
the forging of permits has been com
paratively easy. The system of tele-
graphic confirmation was established
only a few months ago.
AHAS was OeSlSHeu 70 CneCk up from
the warehouse Hi permits presented
for the removal Of liquors. In the case
of the men and women now under ar
rest these telegrams of confirmation
were taken from the files by Miss Sas-
some. according to ths charges made
against her
Donegan Won't Talk
At the home of Donegan, in Brook
lyn, yesterday friend stated that Don
egan mad been in the real estate busi-
ness as we'll as being engaged in con
tracing. This friend also said that
Donegan had conducted an automobile
business and had made money in Wall
Street during the war. Donegan h.m
self refused to make any statement
Miss Sassone, the twentyyear- old
clerk, who lives at 317 Seventy eighth
Street, Brooklyn, also refused to COM
ment upon her arrest yesterday. Her
sister. however, said: "The family has
nothing to say about Reg.na's arrest.
Any inform alton will have to come
from the Federal authorities in Man
haitian"