davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
ID AND ID. AT 106

jacksonville, Fcb- 16.-James Mon
roe, 1O6 years old, was arrested on a
street here at one o'clock this morn
Ing and dOcketed on charge OF being
drunIi and diSOrderly and using pro-
fame language. Municipal Judge
Beckham suspended sentence because
Of the defendants age.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
MARINES REPLACED

Managua, Nicaragua. Feb. ia
contingent of American mar mes has
arrived to replace the force at Campo
Marte. The change is made because
of recent clashes between the marines
and The Nicaraguan police in which
several lives were lost.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
MAY DELAY CONFERENCE

London, Feb. 16.-(By the ASsOclat-
ed Press.)-The probability Of delay
Of three weeks in the opening of the
Genoa economic conference was ex-
pressed in British official circles.
This was the first intlmatiOn In such
circles that the French were likely to
win their contention that 1t was I'M
possible to start the conference on the
date originally chosen, March s.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16

At the time OF the parliamentary
elections the Lisbon newspapers de.
clared that President D'Alemida
would accept the verdict of the new
body as to the constitntionality Of his
act in dissolving the previous parlia-
ment. Should the decision be against
him, It was said he would resign. The
new parliament is strongly demo-
cratic. with the liberals next in
power. SOD
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
FALLING PLANE STARTED FIRE

HOus on, Tex, Feb. ia dlsas-
trous fire started this morning at FL
lington Field, the United States army
aviation field, 20 miles from here, Two
men were injured when their plane
crashed into the gymnasium and the
fire which star ed was spread rapidly
by a stiff breeze.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
RATE REDUCTION ANNOUNCED

Portland, Me-, Feb. 16.-The Maine
Central railroad today announced a
ten per cent reduction in freight rates
on agricultural commodities from
Maine to all Southern points. The re-
duction is effective next Monday.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
BREWERS ASK PROTECTION

Toronto, Feb. 16.-Local brewers
have asked the government for pro-
lection against the homemade bev-
erage. Many men employed by beer
manufacturers have been laid off re
Gently because of the home brew man.
ufacture. The brewers complain that
their product cannot compete with
homemade beer of unlimited alcoholic
cdfAent.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
WITHDRAW RELIEF TO RUSSIA

Washington, Feb. 16-The American
relief administration expects to wi h.
draw from its undertaking in the fam
inc stricken Russia by next Sept
Edgar Rickard of that organization
said today after he had conferred Will
Secre .ary Hoover.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
VIRGINIA WANTS GOOD ROADS

Richmond, Va. Feb. ia measure
providing for a $12OOO,OOO bond issue
for highway construction in Virginia
during the next two years, endorsed
by the Virginia Good Roads Associa
tion. T'ill be introduced in the sta e
senate today. Gen. c. c. Vaughan, Jr
of Franklin, Va, member uf the
executive committee of the assucia-
tion has announced
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
ANOTHER WINTER GALE SWEEPS NORTH
UnuSGI Receiver
ship Is Asked

Toledo, Feb. 16.-Rppointment
of a receiver for the United
Brotherhood of Maintenance Of
Way Employees and Railway Shop
Laborers is asked in a petition
filed in federal court here late
yesterday by the Bacon Brothers
Company of Toledo, il became
known today.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
REDUCE AMERICAN FORCES

Washington, Feb. 16.-An imme-
diate reduction OF 2O3 officers and s.
900 men In the American forces In
was announced today by the
war department. There VIII be re.
naming In Germany after this reduc.
ton total OF 1863 officers and 2,217
men.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
COAST LINE SOLICITOR DEAD

Rocky Mount N. G.. Feb. 15.-P. NJ.
Wilcox, general solicitor Of the At
Iantic Coast Line r. r. for North
and South Carolina, died at his home
IN Florence, s. c., today, according to
a message received .heres
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
WITHDRAW RELIEF IN RUSSIA

Washington, Feb. 16.-The Ameri.
can relief administration expects tc
withdraw from its undertaking in the
famine stricken Russia by mex: Sept
1, Edgar Rickard of that organization
said today after he had conferred with
Secretary Hoover.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
BANK FAILS TO OPEN

Portland. Ore, Feb 16.-The State
Bank of Portland will not open today,
Conrad p. Olson, the president, an
nounced last night. No reason was
given for the action. The bank has
deposits of $2,700,00O.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
TEX RICKARD INDICTED

New York, Feb. l6.-TeX RIckard,
fight promoter, today was indicted
Tor criminal assault on two minor
girls by the supreme court grand jury.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
EXPLOSION ON RINGLING YACHT

Cutt iOI NHiCl HAS HOl DteH HAtu.
EXPLOSION ON RINGLING YACHT
Tampa. Feb. 16-Six persons were
slightly burned IN an explosion last
right in the yacht OF John Ringling
millionaire circus man. OH the Guh
OF Mexico near COrtesi fishing viii
lage near BiadGntCwn. The injured,
who were rescued by a fisherman
and treated mt Sarasota, are Mrs.
Ringing, MIR. and Mrs. J.. {. Wallick,
Mrs. SANFORD MageaVGr and Judge
and Mrs. Heppenheimer, according to
reports received here late today. The
explosion Occu, rcd about $3.50 o'clock.
Its cause has not been learned. The
yacht, which was returning from Il
three weeks cruise In the Gull, was
renr Shcre at tile time OF the blast
Efforts 10 get IN touch with Ringing
iahed.
Leter:-3 p. m.-fire resulting
ircm an explosion CI the yacht Sa.
lone, owned by Jn0. Ringing, mil
liOnair3 circus man, injured six per-
sons last night and destroyed the YES
sci Il: loss OF $50 !00S. '.hc injured
who are being cared for at Sarasota
are Ms. Jn0. Ringing, T.. c. Wal
lick, New York Hotel mnn and his
vile, Mrs. Sanford MageaVer and
Judge Heppenheimer OF the New Jer-
Sey court OF Errors and Appeals, and
his wife. All except the Judge were
reported today as having been Se
Vereiy burned. Nj. Wallick was the
mOSf seriously injured. The explosion
occurred about $3.50 o'clock last night
miles of COrtez. a fishing village near
nils Off COrtex, IL fishing village near
here, and was said to have ben caTs-
cd by back-tire from the engine.
The only other persons on the yaeh!
were Captain c. W. JarriOt, IN
charge, and his son. The back-iire
ignlled the gasoline tanh which eX-
plCded. In Il few moments the boat
was in flames and i was necessary
iCr all on board to leap into the Gull
ten feet deep. The explosion occur
ed during Il severe electric storm
which swept the Gulf. Three small
boats rOwed by Captain J. w. Hunter,
a COrtez fisherman and his two sons.
battled the high winds and waves
while the other struggled TO reach the
boats. Aided by Judge Heppenhei-
mer and Mr.. Wallick the four women
reached shallow water where they
were picked up by the fishermen.
They were taken to small island and
thence TO Sarasota where first aid
was rendered by DIR. Joseph HOltOI.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
PORTUGUESE PARLlA.

Lisbon, Feb. 16.-(By the Associat-
ed Press 1.-THE new parliament elect.
ed on Jan. 29 convened yesterday for
its first session. ~ r. ..n
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
GENERAL SALES TAX THE ONLY
FEASIBLE METHOD OF RAISING
SOLDIER BONUS, SAYS HARDING
Last Minute Briefs
MIs.TRIAL IN DRlGGERS CASE

Tampa, Fla, Feb. 16.-A miS-trial
was ordered this morning by Judge
RObleS in circuit court III the Orig.
gers murder trial when the jury re-
ported ii could not agree. The four
defendants, Herman and W. II. Young
ard Granville and Halle Ellis, charg-
ed w!ih killing Henry DriggerS AT
Lutz last April were returned to the
county Jail pending a second trial the
date Tor which has NOT been fixed.
The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-16
THE WEATHER

Fair tonight and Friday; colder tonight:
freezing temperature in north portion; TEN.
and probably frost In interior Of south por.
tion tonight.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
SWIMMING STARS TO
MEET ON APRIL SIX

LOS ANGELES, April Swim
ming stars from all parts of the coun-
try and from Hawaii are expected to
compete in a meet to be held at the
Los Angeles Athletic Club April 6, at
which Ray Kegeris. present national
Amateur Athletic Union champion for
the $50 yards backstroke swim, is to
defend his title.
Among those who are expected to
fight with Kegeris for the 1922 laurels
is John Weismuler, of the Illinois
Athletic Club, holder of the world s
record for the 100 yards backstroke,
he having negotiated the distance in
! minute, 6 seconds.
Kekeris' best time for the $50 yards
is l minute, 40 3-5 seconds, just 1-5
seconds slower than the record OF l
minute AZ 20 seconds, which was
made by Pua Kealoka, the Hawaiian
swimmer
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
PULLMAN men
WORKING OUT
One Hundred and Eighty
Athletes Working Daily
at Washington College.

PULLMAN, Wash, April g..
More than 1870 Washington State Col
lege track and field athletes are
working out daily in the training
shed here in preparation for the COM
Gng season.
Despite the big turnout, the team
at this early date does not look very
strong and Coach Boiler will have to
develop new men for the weights,
role vault and javelin.
The big squad is being divided into
three divisions, rated according to
the ability OF the men. Assistant
Coach Jenne and Captain Rowlee are
assisting Coach Boiler with the
team.
The veterans OF the 1921 team on
this years squad are Captain Rowlee,
two mile; Loomis, hurdles; Michel,
half mile; w. Love, weights; r.
Davis, sprints; Hamilton, javelin, and
Wasnburn, two mile. Promising MEM
bers of last years freshman team
are AL Hopkins. quarter mile; Schey-
ers, spn,nts; Van Wrinkle, sprints;
Manners, hurdles; Troy, Jumps and
pole vault; Al Davis, middle dis
lance; Sprague, middle distance; F.
Davis, weights, and Hickey, javelin.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
BIC AMERICAN
LEGION SMOKER
ON THIS MONTH
Matchmaker Jack Wilson An
nounces the First Bouts,
All Six Rounds.

The American Legion Will pull off
a smoker jim Juneau on the night of
Saturday, April %, according to an
nouncement made today by Jack Will
son, who is arranging the various
matches. Already three six-round
bouts have been arranged and the
men are in active training.
The bouts arranged SO far are as
follows:
Joe Collier of Juneau and STEADY
DE Almond, of Fort Seward. Collier
will weigh 164 pounds and the soldier
lad will weigh 1872 pounds.
Professor Hughes, physical in.
structor of the Juneau public schools,
win put on the mitts against Joe
Brady, of Douglas Island Brady is
recognized as the best fighter on the
Island, according to Jack Wilson.
and Hughes, by his showing in the
gym and on the floor in basketball
games, etc, is no mean contender
for fistic honors. Hughes weighs
1872 pounds and Brady weighs 1876
pounds.
The third bout already arranged is
that between Jimmy Brooks and Abe
Rudolph. Both men weigh 1876
pounds.
Other bouts will be announced
from time to time, according to
Matchmaker Wilson, who promises a
rare evenings sport.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
CLAIMS WORLD TRoT RECORD

SYDNEY, N. s.. April 3.-Bet
ternot OF Sydney and not Commodore
Crescus of Glace Bay established
what is believed here to be a worlds
halfmile ice record for trotters Of
1:01 IA in a matched race between
the two, revised figures show.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
ALEX FOX NAMED
VANDAL CAPTAIN

MOSCOW, Ida, April 3.-Alex
Fox. star forward of the University
of Idaho's Pacific Coast and North
west Conference championship has
ketball team, has been elected cup
tain of next years team by the eight
lettermen of this years squad. He
succeeds r. Fox, who led the Van
dals to victory this year. The 1923
captain made 27l points in II con
ference games during the season just
closed.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
WILLIE HOPPE
HAS RETIRED;
LONG CHAMPION

ST. LOUIS, April 3-Willie Hoppe
has retired from the billiard game.
This is the announcement made here
by r. B. Benjamin, manager Of
Hcppe. The billiard player has been
1872 balkline champion OF the world
for the past 16 years. Hopes re-
cent attempt to come back and his
defeat by Jake Schaefer is given,
it lis understood, as the reason for
his retirement
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
PERSHINC BOWL IS
SITE OF OLYMPIAD

PARIS, April 3.-Pershing Sta
uaiim was practically decided upon
as the place for holding the 1924
Olympic games at meeting recently
CT the Paris municipal council and
the French Olympic committee. 1t
is expected this arrangement will be
officially ratified at the next meet
ing.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03

A few minutes study of each days
want ads will change an indifferent
business into q successful one.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
Pacific Coast
League Starts
Season Tomorrow

Tomorrow the familiar yell,
play BAIL" will be heard on
the Pacific Coast for the Coast
League opens the season. The
opening games are scheduled as
follows: Seattle at San Fran
cisco; Oakland at Sacramento;
Vernon at Salt Lake, and Port
land at Los Angeles.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
CITY BOWLING LEAGUE
ROLLS FINALS TONIGHT

The 18-game series of the City
Bowling League will come to close
this evening On the Elks' Club al
leys the Firemen and Elks No. 2
teams will meet, and on the Bruins
wick alleys the Brunswicks and No.
i Elks roll.
The Brunswicks are now in first
place, 121 pins ahead of the Firemen
and 227 pins ahead of the No l Elks.
Bowling starts at 1880 o'clock.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03

Henry Berry, dealer in Curios.
Ivory Beads a speciality. 165 Front
Street. adv.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03

In offering the Superior Chevrolet at
$675, its manufacturers call attention
to certain features of construction,
equipment and performance that are
positively necessary to complete sat
isfaction.
Cars less complete, less standard, must
now submit to direct comparison with
the Superior Chevrolet, and stand or
fall on price only.
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
PADDOCK HOPES
TO SET RECORDS

SAN FRANCISCO, April 3.-At-
tempts to lower several sprint rec
ords win be made by Charley Pad
dock, Los Angeles, the worlds fast
est human" in Honolulu, T. H., ac-
cording to plans announced by the
runner before he sailed from here for
the Hawaiian Islands. Paddock said
he would be back on the mainland
in about three weeks
The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1922-04-03
MILTON WINS
AUTO SPRINTS:
MAKES RECORD

LOS ANGELES, April 3.-Tommy
Milton won the California champion
ship sprint automobile race here yes
terdly. Milton took the second pre-
liminary 25-mile sprint in 13 minutes
149 seconds and the final 50-mile
sprint in 26 minutes 1902 seconds.
Both sprint times are said to estab
lish new worlds records.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-06-06
SAY THAT AGREEMENT
WILL BOOST COAL PRICE

WASHINGTON, June 6.-Retail
prices of bituminous coal will rise
as much as S1.75 a ton because of
the advance in price at the mines
under the agreements reached last
week with operators in the produc-
ing fields. Secretary Hoover was in
formed today by Roderick Stephens
of New York, chairman of the Board
of Directors of the National Retail
Coal Merchants Association.
Mr.. Hoover met about forty mem
bers of the association to discuss the
cooperation of the retailers in the
Commerce Departments efforts to
prevent runaway coal prices during
the strike. The voluntary co-opera-
yion of his association to prevent un-
lue price advances Kas pledged by
Mr.. Stephens.
Establishments of a maximum of
$3.50 a ton for coal at the mines, Mr..
Stephens contended, would mean an
increase of $1.75 ton in the retail
price in Maine and the Northwest,
while Immediate advances could be
expected IN New York and Chica-
go. The necessity for advancing the
retail prices, he said. was due to the
prices fixed by the operators and the
long transportation now necessary
from non-union fields.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-06-06
HEAVY BLOW TO LABOR
IN COURTS DECISION

CINCINNATI June 6-1n advance
of more complete information than
the press summaries contain the ad-
vance guard of labor men here Tor
the American Federation of Labor
Convention preliminaries. decline TO
discuss the decision of the supreme
Court in the Coronado case.
Today, they say, when sam
uel Gompers and John L. Lewis are
here. and a more detailed statement
of the decision is available, will be
safer time to talk for publication.
Among themselves, however, they
are inclined to think that the deci-
sion is the worst body blow handed
10 labor since the famous Danoury
hatters' case was handed down. II
was to cure the situation set by tnat
case that the Federation pushed the
CLAYTON act through congress ex-
empting unions from the provisions
of the Sherman act.
That Mr.. Gompers will take eA-
ception to the decision is taken 10Y
granted and there is no doubt out
that il will serve TO make more en-
phatic tEe demands of the conven-
ton for elective judiciary and the re-
call of judicial decisions.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-06-06
ARMY CUT PERIL, CLAIM
OF PRESIDENT HARDING

WASHINGTON, June 6.-Presi-
dent Harding in letter to Chairman
Warren of the Senate Appropria-
tions Committee urged retention in
the army appropriation bill of pro-
visions for officers. enlisted person
mel and National Guard voted by the
senate and opposed the smaller pro-
visions of the House bill.
The President said he thought the
day might come when the military
forces could be further reduced, but
added that for that time 1--WE must
await fuller readjustment and more
stable conditions"
II feel" he wrote, that the de-
velopment of our national defense
system under the National Defense
act is for the utmost importance and
L am satisfied that the allowances
made by the Senate represent the
minimum under which even the
most conservative and modest pro-
gram of development is possible.
The Presidents letter was received
at the Capitol simultaneously with
the beginning of the conferences be-
tween House and senate delegations
on the bill and served TO bolster the
senate conferees, who went into the
negotiations backed up by two 10
one vote of their body in support OF
the larger army.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-06-06
THROAT CUT,
MAN IS DEAD
RadI Family Denies That Mat
avian Resident Killed
Himself

MATAWAN, June 6.-Joseph
Radl. Jr.. of rs Main street. the son
of Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Radl. ST.,
died yesterday afternoon while on
the way to the Perth AAmboy Hos
pital after having cut his throat.
Although II is rumored about the
borough that Mr.. Radl committed
suicide. this is denied by the family
who claim his death was due to an
accident.
According to the report given out
at the home today, Mr.. Radl had
been employed at the A. p. Mum
ming & Company, where he met
with an accident some time ago,
and has never been the same since.
1t was claimed that yesterday after
noon Mr.. Radl went to the bath
room to shave. using an ordinary
razor. AS 1t was hot in the bath
room it is supposed that he tainted
and as he fell to the floor the razor
cut HIS throat in such a way that
his death resulted. .....A r..
Mr.. Rad1 was discovered in the
bath room in pool of blood by
Thomas Carroll AS his home life
was perfectly happy his family said
he had no reason to- commit suicide.
Mr.. Radl. who was forty years
old, is survived by his parents and
two sisters. Funeral services will
be held ar 10 o'clock Thursday
morning in st. Joseph's church,
Keyport.
The body of Radl was removed to
the undertaking establishment of
James ]. Flynn in East avenue
where it was viewed by Coroner
Hanson and a permit issued for its
removal to the dead mans home in
Matawan.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1922-06-06
WARD-PETERS
PR0BESTARTED
Doctor Who Performed Au-
topsy on Peters Body is
First to Testify

/ WHITE PLAINS, June 6:-Dr.
John Fielding Black, of WAte
Plains, who performed the autop,y
on the body OF Clarence Peters after
II had been found with a bullet
wound May 16, was the first witne IS
today when the Westchester grand
jury began its inquiry into the Ward
shooting case.
Meanwhile Mrs. Walter S. Ward
has come from her home in New
Rochelle and was seated reading
magazines in the home bureau room
In the county courthouse.
There was an unconfirmed report
current that Wards lawyer would
appear before Supreme Court JUS
tice Merchshawer with a motion
that her appearance before the
grand jury be not demanded, on the
grounds that a wife could not re-
count anything her husband had
said to her.
District Attorney Weeks of West
chester said that no legal move
could be made 10 prevent Mrs. Wal
ter S. Wards appearance today be-
fore the Grand Jury at White Plains.
but intimated she would not be ask
ed TO testify in any conversations
unless there was third person pres
ent.
1t is believed Mrs. Ward will re-
fuse to answer any question she be-
heves invades the rights OF her hus-
band. and IL there is any controversy
she will be taken before Justice
Morschauser, who is in charge of
the May Grand Jury that is to inves-
tigate young Wards shooting of
Clarence Peters, and he will rule as
TO precisely what questions Mrs.
Ward may be required 10 answer.
1t is known that Mr.. Weeks will
ask her to tell everything that hap
pened in her home Immediately be-
fore and after the shooting.
Mr.. Weeks declined TO say today
whether George S. Ward, father Of
Walter, has been subpoenaed TO tes-
tify before the Grand jury. 1t was
reported in White Plains no one had
been able 10 find him TO serve sub
poena.
A report from Haverhill, Mass, to
day said the parents of Young Pc
tiers had arranged to sue Walter s.
Ward for $4,000 for the death of
their son. They were expected in
White Plains yesterday TO testify be-
fore the Grand Jury but did not
come.
There was an intimation today
that James Joseph Cunningham
whose various stories of the black
mailing plot and shooting resulted in
him going 10 Jail, may become an
immunity witness today. He was
released yesterday on writ OF ha-
beas corpus by Supreme Court JUS
tice Seeger on the ground that the
coroner had no right to commit him
10 Jail. He was rearrested a moment
later and held at the request of the
District Attorney as a material wit
ness in $1,000 bail.
Maurice Mccarthy, his lawyer.
said he expected to furnish the bail
today. but Sheriff Werner quotes
Cunningham as saying II don't care
whether / get out or not" He IS
said to be afraid of members OF a
blackmailing gang