The Daytona daily news., 1922-02-15
Arrest Of Gang Believed
to Furnish Lead to
Blacknaail Plot

garo If eight alleged bIaek-hsnd-
ers offer key to the solution Of
the mysterious murder two weeks
ago Of William Desmond Taylor.
famous film director? Authorities
sought an answer to this question
through g-iiling Of the eight
prisoners who were arrested after
gun battle in which ninth
ms r,hcr Of the gang was wound
ed. but escaped. The gang Is al
legged to have bIackmaiied prom
inent Los Anoetes business me,
in the past few months out Of
more than hundred thoucand
do.lars.
Investigators said that $4,000 had
zen extOrted from one citizen W thin
he past few weeks and when the ar
a-ts .e.e made las, night il was
Trough a plant the gang having ex-
oectetl to secure $4,000 from the
lead Of large corporation here.
Police were close upon the trail of
he ninth member of the gang
thought to be the leader.
According to federal auhoritie
who directed the raid in which the
arrests were made. the gang operated
bv means of black hand letters threat
aning death in some eases and ex
posure to scandal in others. Eacts in
the hands OF investigator, lead them
to believe the band to be a part q.
A highly organized local band of black
handlers and blackmailers
The eight men arrested ali were
foreigners They gave the names Of
Iohn Marich. Emil Cutie. Mike kza.,
ch. August Belich. Frank Serge.
Henry Susich. Jack Randoff. and
Harry Akolza.
Meanwhile. the police. sheriff Of
ice. and District Attorney WoelN na
roceded in their efforts to solve the
| ayior mystery b. the process OF FL
! ininatiOn
Investigate Taylor Finances
Every alleged fact 50 far known in
the case is beng recliecked The Off
cors find that they have much msin
formation due to lack Of eo-ord natior
+ in the early part of the investigation
Today two important matters We're
to be gene into In an effort To get ac
cura.e informal on concerning the Ii
nancial status OF Taylor District 1t
to1nev Woolwine planned To question
Mrs ! VI Berger, income tax expert
his tax return on the afternoon be
fore he was stain. She also talked t
him over the telephone less lhsn a.
nom before the fatal shot IS belierei
10 have been fired Tayler. Was ap
parently engaged IN the task of MI
ing out the tax blank whom killed.
i reeheek TODAY ou the report ha
Taylp} Withdrew S230n from han
f....,- h Fa.th srl7l H.
nosited ii the attes noon before tn
r,arder. convinced police that it wa
erroneous They naGe unable 70 I'm
an. record of the reported Withdraw
ii ami fopna that his deposit on -
afternoon II FOB / inclndes tN
hacks. each for $500. . third chec
for sen0. and some mailer ones .
;. t.xn sSCa checks thes found wer
salary checks and the source of ia
. ssna will be determined TODAY
: The second point under investig
+ ion today was the tory of Nm. IA
> i chanfeur for Mabel Norman
: ser.an star. wha visited TAYLOR shoF
Il befor. MS murder Iavss VAS 70
> o.l.sstioned further. although Once
q deeline4 to Indicate along Nhsf inc
, Rewards for Information lesaiDg
the are / aud conviction u the s'a
- argreeatsa Sfa0a tedss The late
addition to the fund was g 500 off
ed hy the Famous Players fsasky ~
noeatjon. for whom Ts.ior VAS
leading director local paper b
previously offered $i.ooa aud t
ceraen Writers Guild a @Imiiai sla
TIE mounting reward was expo
s cd t. bring forth d flood Of 'niofn
i - {