The New York herald., 1922-03-20
Scar Face Tony Names One
as Movie Star Prominent
in Taylor's Murder.
MORPHINE $50 AN OUNCE
DR.. Simon Calls Arrest One Of
Most Important Made by
His Narcotic Squad.

III the arrest HeSlcludy VI NhtiiciS
Gessel. 80, known to the underworld
as "Scar Faced Tony" the police said
they had in custody one of the princi-
pie agents dispensing narcotics in the
country. According to DIR. Carleton
Simon, chief of the narcotic squad.
under whose direction tie arrest was
made, Gessel has supplied more drugs
to the addicts of this city than any
other single known dealer.
Gessel, who says he has been an
addict since he was 10 years old, adj
mitted he had been supplying NOR
pl.ine at $50 an ounce to prominent
motion picture actress mentioned in
the recent Taylor murder case, DR..
Simon said. He also asserted that
William Desmond Taylor had been
slain by one of the drug ring in Cali
fornia. whose trade in narcotics had
aroused the ire of the slain director.
Gessel was arrested In Broadway at
Forty-seventh street. after he had sold
"toy" of opium TO Detectives Riley
ard -Moffet of the Narcotic Squad, who
lad been watching him fer several
weeks. He made no attempt to resist
the officers When taken before DR..
Simon he said he was willing to make
a clean breast of his activities, and
made long confession.
Tells About Many "Iop Pnrties.-
Stories of hop parties" which were
INDUCED IN by society folk and young
girls attending school were given by
Gesse, who told the police that he
alone had supplied enough opium for
more than 1000 parties within the
last two years. He made no effort to
hide the fact that he was one of the
best known dealers, according TO the
police, and said that he did q tremendous
business on the lower East Side and
emong chorus girls and gamblers. The
police say that Gessel has been active
l.: virtually every section OF the city.
1T is one of the most important
arrests that have been made in this
city in some time" said DIR. Simon.
''Gessel was probably the principal
agent for more addicts and dealers than
any other go-between in the traffic. He
was not rich himself. but was the tool
of an important ring or coterie OF men
who have laid in supply of drugs and
wlo sold them through Gessel to the
people of the underworld
That the narcotic detectives are on the
trail OF the "coterie" which supplied
Gessel with the drr rs which he sold
was indicated last night. Investigation
of GesselS places OF operation have
been made. He gave his address as
"124th street and Broadway" and an
other address in a suburban section,
which the police would not disclose. Ac-
cording to the detective. Gessel said that
he would tell everything he knew II he
were protected from others who were
more influential than he in the traffic.
He had eluded both Moffctt and Riley
several times before they were able to
induce him to sell the drugs, and accord
ing to them he mingled with educated
and cultured persons. and was well
dressed. smooth spoken man.
Tells OF killing of Taylor.
Gessel spoke OF the killing of Taylor.
but according TO DIR. Simon no effort
was made to communicate with the
California authorities, although Gessei
admitted knowing q number Of mem
bers of the drug ring which is known TO
be operating in the vicinity of the movie
studios. He told in detail how he had
supplied the morphine for q certain act
ross at regular intervals. but said that
some one had "cut in on his trade" be-
fore the date Of the killing OF Taylor.
Although the name OF the actress who
has figured prominently in the murder
OF the motion picture director was stated
positively to the police by Gessel. who
said he had both sold the drugs to her
personally as well as sending them out
70 the coast. her name was withheld
until further investigation OF the prison
ers story can be made. Gessel will
undergo thorough questioning soon 10
find out what he knows OF the killing OF
Taylor. and also for more detailed In
formation regarding the identity OF the
men who were supplying the drugs which
he dispensed.
Scar Faced Tony" has operated IN
the metropolitan district for a number
OF years. detectives said. but always
managed to avoid arrest by n narrow
margin. Gessel is married. he said. and
has two children. but would not say
where his wife or children are at pres
ent. lie said he is 80 years old and
was born in this country.