The New York herald., 1921-12-02
Day Has House Cleaning
in His First Day in Yel-
lowley's Job.
GIN SEIZED IN TAXICAB
Policeman Gets Driver, but
Passenger Disappears in
Office Building.

The dismissal of seven enforcement
agents and the raidmg OF restaurant
directly across the street from the
building in which prohibition head
quarters is located, marked the first
day in Office of the new State Prohibit
ton Director Ralph A. Day. In ad-
dition to the dismissals Director Day
announced the resignation of Agent
Herman Wittenberg had been received
and accepted. Both Wittenberg and
the seven men who were discharged
were agents who have been active in
many raids.
Yesterdays raid was conducted by
r. Q. Merrick, one Of e. C. Yellowley's
men, who has been acting chief Of
field forces The restaurant was that
of I. Mandelbaum & Sons, at 4S West
Twenty street, a place patron
lied at all hours of the day by men,
bers Of the prohibition force, including
agents and clerks. Signs on the walls
invite the Government employees to
have their pay checks cashed there.
The agents say they bought several
drinks yesterday afternoon in Mandel-
baun's and seized, besides several quart
bottles OF whiskey, some only partly
full, besides fifteen pint bottles and
several half pints. Herman Mandel-
baum, one of the proprietors, and a
waiter were ARRESTED and taken to the
West Thiitieth street. station, where
they were locked up on a charge of
selling. Mandelbaun told the raiders
just before the arrest that he had $4,000
on hand to cash checks to-day.
The dismissalR of the seven agents
were the result OF an investigation by
agents on the staff of Mr. Yellowley and
were decided on after conferences be-
tween him and Mr.. Day. The new d.
rector would not state specifically what
were the charges against the men dis
missed. nor would he give their names,
but when asked whether the cause could
be stated "a failure to make sufficient
arrests and the acceptance OF bribes he
replied 1t was substantially that"
The staff of enforcement agents COW
ering New York city is now somewhat
under strength. Mr. Yellowley during
his direction of tine work dismissed many
and these have not been for the most
par. replaced, as he preferred to leave
the selection to the man designated to
fill the post permanently. There are
now q little more than 100 agents in
New York. with about sixty others as
signed to points upstate. Mr.. Day said
no more agents would be engaged un-
less conditions demanded It.
Mr.. Yellowiey and his staff will re-
main here a few days before going on
to their next job. 1t has been reported
they are scheduled to undertake a clean
up in Chicago.
William A. Drake OF Trenton. chief
enforcement officer for New jersey, Of
fered his resignation yesterday TO
Charles Fl. Brown, Prohibition Director
for that State. Mr.. Brown recently an
nounced his intention of demanding Mr..
brakes resignation. Green Miller, who
was Mr.. Yellowley-s assistant here until
a few days ago. when he was assigned
to an investigation of the New Jersey
situation. is now acting as chief en-
forcement officer.
'Izzy" Enstein got out OF bed yester-
day morning ard saw truck passing
III Ridge street, where he lives. and
recognized IL 3s belonging to concern
he raided year ago, seizing $3.50, 900
worth OF wine. Agent Moe Smith, who
lives and works with him. Joined Elm
stein in n chase after the wagon. both
slipping on trousers and coats over their
pa1amas. They made the driver stop and
seized twenty-six cases of sacramental
wine belonging to the Continental Dis
tributing Company. 10 Bowery. The
driver had no permit. the agents saw
While Patrolman Cullen of the Old
Snip station was on post In lower Broad
wsly yesterday afternoon he saw a taxi
cab drive up to the office building at so
Bpadway As n passenger left the
machine Cullen saw several large pack
ages in the car and discovered they
contained forty-eight bottles Of gin.
Joseph Raih. 523 West Thirty-ninth
street. the driver. was taken to the Old
Slip station, car and all. In Tombs
Court he pleaded not guilty to the pos
session charge. Magistrate Hating held
him IN $1,000 bail for examination. Rub
said he die not know the llquor was i'm
his machine.