The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-05-13
Black Hand Planned To Stay
Detective
FOURTEEN ALLEGED MEMBERS
or CARBONDALH GANG HELD
AFTER PLOT 10 MILL SbEUTH
VINO CAPTURED LlGI. WALL
STREET BOHB sUSPECT.

scranton. Pa. May Detective
John Caftnsciello Of this city. who
brought about the arrest Of Tito Ligi.
the Wall street bomb suspect. was
marked for death by members 81 an
alleged Black Hand society with hcnd.
quarters in Carbondaic twenty miles
north OF here, according to evidence
unearthcd in a Spectacular raid to-
day by State troopers. county dcicc-
tiyes and city police
Fourteen alleged members ~ The
gang. said by the authorities 80 be-
one OF the most desperate in the
country were arrested and brought
before Magistrate s. T. Jones a. Car
bandale on charges OF eAtortiGn and
conspiracy They were held under
$1,000 bail each aud IN default were
committed 90 the County Prison In
this city. More arrests are expected
John Scalzo an italian patrolman
in Carbonate. who has been active in
prosecuting alleged Anarchists end
Black Handlers. was also married for
death, according 90 the authorities
The raids followed the breaking
down Of five members OF the alleged
Black Hand Society who came Go the
police and asked protection from bru-
tai treatment administered % Thorn
by leaders Of the outfit These tive
men gave sensational testimony
against the fourteen defendants To-
day and related hurriryng tales uf
the operations Of The organization.
When new members we're admitted
to the society. the witnesses stated
they were compelled 10 pnncture their
own wrists with slllcttoH aud suck
their blood as 4 test Of loyalty TO the
group. On other occasions. witnesses
said. they were forced 10 suck tho
blood from the wrists ~ the leadcrf
TO show their belief IN the by laws oi
/ the society
/ As the witnesses. whose names we're
not made public. testified in court
they we're under heavy guard IN
charge Of County Detective M0rianl.
Of this city, Dramatically the men
who turned lnformers related how
they were compelled TO give up their
own savings to the leaders at the band
when money did not come into the
society'H treasury as rapidly as was
desired
The society often sent its members
to do jobs in New York Brooklyn,
Trenton, n. j.; Rome, A. Y: Old
Forge, scranton, pittston and other
places. the witnesses said
Meetings were held several times a
/ month in houses Of yarious members
OF the society in Carbonate, accord
7 ing 10 the testimony Letters were
sent 10 persons and money demanded
OF them by certain date When
persons 10 whom letter had been
sent failed 10 donate 10 the society
lanothor meeting was held The al
legged leader Of the sOriety. Louis
Morace, prosperous merchant who
4 is under arrest, would preside. The
members would SIT around him In a
circle and place their stilettoes close
I to numbers.
Morace,, the witnesses testified,
would draw a number from hat and
the member whose stiletto was near
est TO the number drawn would be
ordered to go out and get the clti-
zen who had neglected TO comply with
/ the gangs order for money Extor-
ton was not the only crime OF the
society. Members also hurglarized
stores and freight cars, and then sold
the loot to foreign-speaking mer-
chants under threats. witnesses said.
A letter that fell into the hands OF
the police revealed that Patrolman
Scalzo was marked for death tonight
and that his home was to be dyna-
mited. After Sealzo was out OF the
way, authorities say, the band intend
ed TO send several members 10 this
city to kin Detective Cartusclello The
latter admitted this afternoon that
he had been notified week ago that
members Of the Carbonate gang
PLANNED to kill him. but said he wasn't
afraid Of them. Many reviewers and
other weapons were picked up in the
homes OF the prisoners.