The New York herald., 1922-02-07
SALOON MEN SIGNED
BLANK GRAFTCHECKS
Were Handed to Them by
Detectives and Filled
Out to Cash
3 VICTIMS TESTIFY
1t Is Expected Indictments
VIII Follow Bronx Grand
Jury Probe.
CONVICTIONS ON INCREASE
Deaths From Poison Whisky
Apparently Change Atti-
tude cf Jurymen.
CONVICTIONS ON INCREASE

Three saIoonkeepers testified yester-
day before the February Bronx Grand
Jury, which began an investigation
into charges of extortion against mem
bers OF the police force. They were
Chris Ehler, Otto Hartman and John
Tobie, who are alleged to have been
among victims of graft by detectives
formerly on the staff of Inspector
Dominick Henry OF the Sixth Inspec-
ton district
After their testimony, it was learned
the jury decided explanations were i'm.
perative from several patrolmen in
Brooklyn, where they were transferred
through Inspector Henry.
District Attorney Edward ]. Glen
non said Inspector Henry had sought
an inquiry to end graft in their terri
tory. The inspector will testify be-
fore the Grand Jury on Friday. 1t is
understood he examined members OF
his staff under suspicion before they
were transferred.
Vt was reported seven patrolmen for
merly attached to the special prohibition
squad are involved and that the three
witnesses had given sufficient informa-
tion TO warrant several indictments.
Unusual methods in collecting graft
from saloon keepers were used Blank
checks were handed to the liquor men
to be filled In with their sigma lures. The
checks were from banks where the sa-
loon keepers had deposits and were
finally made out to cash. The victims
were driven to desperation by the ever
increasing number of checks and finally
complained to the authorities.
E,hler is proprietor of a cafe at Third
avenue and 163d street and also is own
or of one of the largest taxicab COM
panies in The Bronx. He Is reputed to
lie worth $4,000. Hartman is a cafe
owner at Teller avenue and 166th street
and Tobie is connected with saloon in
The Bronx. The three men were closeted
with District Attorney Glennon for half
an hour before the investigation began.
Three policemen summoned to appear
yesterday will testify later in the week.
II is probable no indictments will be re-
turned until completion of the investi-
cation.
Dry Agent Testifics.
The Federal Grand Jury yesterday
continued its investigation into the
issuance of n permit for the withdrawal
of 1000 cases of whisky from the
warehouse of the Hill & Hill Distillery
Company for delivery TO the Progressive
Drug Company at 1888 Park avenue
which led to clash between Prohibition
Director Ralph A. Day and his assist
ant. Col Herbert G. Catrow. who re-
signed. One of the witnesses was Philip
j. Coffey. former prohibition agent.
Col. William Hayward, United States
Attorney for the south district. an
bounced last night that since the first OF
this year convictions have been secured
in 80 per cent. of cases tried. In the
early days OF tho volstead act about one
case in ten brought a conviction.
Disposition of cases in which juries
returned verdicts of guilty shows two
offenders were sentenced to serve two
weeks each In Jail, two to serve six
weeks one TO sixty days, five to three
months. two TO pay fines of 800 each
and one to a year and day in jail and
ray fine OF $1,000. In the cases tried
this year where pleas of guilty were
entered twenty-three were sentenced to
two weeks each in jail. One was COM
mitted for three months, two for four
months each and fines were imposed on
ten ranging from $50 to $500.
Victor House, Assistant United States
Attorney. who is trying the cases. says
the change in the attitude of juries to-
wards liquor violations is attributable to
recent deaths and disabilities caused by
Uichoiic poisoning
Speeds Up Dry Cases.
Emuating United States District
Court Judge Howe, sitting In Brooklyn,
County Judge Alonzo B. Mclaughlin OF
the same borough took the breath of
defendants in prohibition cases away by
his speed. In forty-eight minutes he
disposed OF twenty-onc indictments.
Judge Howe holds the record. having
disposed of forty-nine cases in one hour
and ffty-eight minutes.
Opening court Judge Mclaughlin re-
marked that any defendant who in
Eisted on a trial would receive the full
penalty IL found guilty. Fifteen pleaded
guilty at once. being fined $40 60 $50.
Indictments In six cases were dismissed.
One offender who according to rumor
had profited heavily in bootleg opera
tions took $50 bill from his bankroIi
and, laying IL before Chief Clerk John
j.. Gray. remarked:
This fine IS easy, but IL get caught
again what Will / get?"
six months and $500 fine" re-
Piled Gray.
Pretty tough" commented the other.
hut maybe the chance is worth it,"
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