Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-12-30
DRY NE VI YEAR
FACES GOTHAM;
LEADING CLUB
MEN INDICTED
Federal Investigators Claim
Co0Spirator8 Participated
in Sale of 10000 Gal
Ions of Liquor
DISTILLERS INCLUDED
AMONG THE ACCUSED
Grand Jury Report Follows
R9Comnen n dati0nS of
Other JurieS That Prohi-
bitt0n Law Be Repealed

New York, Dec. 29,-Inyestiga-
ton by federal grand jury into
a bachelors dinner at the fashions
able Racquet and Tennis club on
Park avenue, at Which liquor was
alleged to have flowed freely, today
brought Indictment OF 1G men, in
cluding four members of the La
Montague family, prominent in So
ciety.
Two indictments were returned,
charging q conspiracy to violate
the Folstcad and internal revenue
acts, through which approximately
10000 gallons Of assorted liquors
were alleged 10 have been Illegally
sold. Some Of those indicted also
were charged with having forged
liquor permits and other papers.
In a statement made public in
connection with the indictments.
United States Attorney Hayward
asserted that his office had fol-
lowed tho trail of alleged boot
leggers even though it led to select
circles and exclusive places, and
charged that liquor had been sold
on a wholesale scale to exclusive
clubs and the homes of the veal
thy.
Federal Judge Knox received
the indictments on a day on which
two other juries-one in the court
Of general sessions in New York
and the other in Brooklyn-had
handed up presentments urging re-
peal of the state prohibition en-
forCement act. on the ground that
it was ineffective and wasteful of
public funds.
In discharging the federal grand
jury Judge Knox thanked It's
members, declaring it had per.
formed highly useful task ii it
had brought people in high walks
of life to q realization that they
cannot violate the Volstead act
with impunity any more than they
can violate other provisions OF the
constitution
Prominent Men Involved
The principal defendants, ac-
cording to Mr.. Hayward, We're
Montaigne La Montague and his
three younger brothers, Rene, Will
liam and Morgan. Rene has long
been in the public eye as one of
the foremost American polo play
ers. having several times appeared
In international competition.
The other defendants were de-
scribed by Mr.. Hayward as the
agents of the brothers and listed
by the United States attorney az
owners of the Green River Distill-
ing company, Eminence Distillery
company, Inc, and L. La Mou'
tagne Sons, Inc. With the four
brothers was indicted Samuel a.
Story, vice president Of z. La Mon+
tagne Sons, Int, an importing conS
cern.
Others in the case, according tc
Mr.. Hayward, include:
An employe of the three COM
panies, a bonded truckman, two
statesmen. a cigarman at the Rae
quet and Tennis club, four "flNers'
and a garage owner.
Drug Stores Supplied
The indictments, citing overt
acts, charged that Illegal sales had
been made to q number of drug
stores in Newark. Long Branch
and Asbury Park, y. j.
While prohibition enforcement
was occupying the attention Of var
ious New York courts, prohibition
agents, who claimed to have given
Broadway the driest Christmas.
ever in history, were planning to
usher in the new year just as
aridly.
Closing Cabarets
Aided at sea 10y gales which have
dashed several rum craft on the
rocks, dry agents ashore were OBJ
tanning scores Of injunctions de-
signed to close various cabarets.
as public nuisances,
Director Appleby of the dry
navy admitted several big ships
were lowering off the harbor bur
calculated that their chances ot
transferring their cargo to smaller
craft in the rough sea were decid-
edly slim.