The Washington times., 1922-06-11

r Einstein these days. Icy is the New
York Federal prohibition officer
whose methods of obtaining evidence are
stranger than the celebrated detectives Of
fiction. He is as shrewd as Sherlock
Holmes, (before Sherlock began to see
spooks), as spectacular as Nick Carter and
as relentless as Javert. He is a master
of disguise.
One day he sinks about as a Chinaman,
the next day as a grave digger and the
next as a negro or spendthrift million.
aire. Prohibition Director Ralph A. Day
recently called him the best detective in
the United States, and it is significant
that in the recent shake-up of New Yorks
prohibition forces Izzy and his partner,
"Moe" Smith, were said to be the only two
agents to retain their former posts.
1t follows that Izzy Einstein is the bogie-
man of all the bootleggers in New York
City or State. And with reason. In less
than three years. since he quit his job as
postal clerk to become a revenue man,
Izzy has made 1900 arrests, seized almost
100000 worth of contraband liquor and
assumed more than 400 DISCUSSES. Further
more, he is an expert in building up case
so that convictions are obtained in twenty
four out Of every twenty-five cases he
brings into court.
If genius is that capacity for taking in
finite pains, Izzy is a genius, for NO one
has gone to greater pains. At the expense
of the Government, Izzy has stocked his
wardrobe with every conceivable disguise,
to be ready on a moments notice Hts
dressing table contains more grease paint
than leading mans. He has hats Of all
shapes and colors; a dozen sets Of false
whiskers and wigs; shoes, old and new;
dress suits, golf suits, ten pairs Of eye
glasses; but mainly Izzy relies on his own
nerve, opportunities and ready wits and
keeping sternally at his work.
The story of 1zZy's recent impersonation
of a grave digger illustrates how closely
he sticks to his job.
He had taken a day off to attend the
funeral of an old friend. The cemetery
was on the outskirts of New York City,
and before the funeral procession had
gone many miles the mourners were doz-
ing in their seats-all but Izzy.
From force of habit his eagle eye roved
among all the houses along the rOau ne
studied every passing hip, basement and
bucket-every wagon and automobile, and
presently was rewarded by rather COM
monplace incident that took place In the
backyard of a residence just across the
street from the cemetery.
Two men were crossing this backyard,
carrying a large galvanized iron can into
q shed at the rear of the lot. Now there
was nothing peculiar about that to the
ordinary observer; but Icy had noticed
that the men had looked furtively about,
as If they were afraid Of being seen.
Izzy weighed his obligations to the Gov
ernment and to the dead and decided mat
ters by stepping out of the limousine as 1t
turned into the cemetery gate on the pre-
text of making a telephone call. He
sauntered back to the house and took keen
notice Of everything about II from the cor
ner Of his eye.
There was nothing to verify his sus-
picions except a peculiar dank smell, rem
iniscent Of the musty odor behind swing
ing doors in bygone days But only q rank
amateur would think Of raiding a residence
on so slender a pretext as smell. There
must be conclusive evidence Of the manu-
facture and sale Of liquor, II the case is to
hold in court And this evidence Is not so
easy 10 get.
Icy returned to the grave Of his friend
to think II over. The last rites had been
administered and the mourners were start
,ug home. Only two grave diggers re-