Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-10

New York. Feb. 9-Jail sentences
Tor bootleggins were imposed today
on the four La Montague brothers,
distiliers. all Of them socially promi-
nent, and one internationally known
as polo player. Bail of $4,000 each
was continued until Thursday that
they might wind up their business
affairs before entering the Essex
county. n. j., penitentiary.
The quartet recently were indicted
by federal grand jury which inves-
tigated a dinner at the fashionable
Racquet and Tennis Club on Park
avenue. at which liquor was alleged
to have flowed. The charges against
the brothers were conspiring to vio-
late the Volstead act and defrauding
the government of taxes through re-
moval of liquor from bond on forged
permits. At the time the indictments
were returned. they were hailed by
government officials as proof that
none was so high in society as to be
beyond the reach of the dry laws.
Charged with having released 80
600 gallons Of liquor the brothers at
first entered pleas of not guilty to
both charges against them. Today.
however. they appeared in federal
court and changed their pleas to
guilty.
A Jail sentence of two months and
a fine of $4,000 was the punishment
given MOntagu La Montague. presi-
dent of the corporation which the
four controlled. Four months in Jail
and fines of $4,000 each We're imposed
on the other three.-Rene NJ. the
polo player; Morgan T., and William
A.
In presenting the case of MOntagu
to Judge Winslow. United States At
torney Hayward said he thought he
deserved some leniency. Montague
was in France on business when the
offenses We're committed. but admit
ted general knowledge Of them.
When sentences were pronounced.
Montague. standing in front of the
judge. turned his face away from his
brothers. His eyes filled with tears
and his face flushed until it was al
most purple.
Rene. holding his derby crushed
against his chest. bowed his head and
sobbed violently.
The others. swallowing hard. stared
straight ahead.
The court was filled with men and
women. many of them socially prom
inent and friends of the brothers.
They showed almost as much emotion
as the society bootIeggers." as they
previously had been described.
The days proceedings opened with
the statement by Colonel Hayward
that no bargain had been made with
the defendants.
1.-The government has not offered
any promise or hope of leniency."
he said. ut is true that the de-
PENDANTS and their counsel knew
that a plea of guilty would carry
fences
The government could prevent
this change of plea, but we have
taken into consideration the saving
of the enormous expense of the trial"
Colonel Hayward added that the
government was in possession of I'M
Improbable evidence which would
prevent the pleas of guilty from
having any effect on the cases of
nine other defendants indicted with
the Montagnes. These defendants
except two who had not surrend-
cred, would be placed on trial i'm
mediateiv. Colonial Hayward told
the court.
The first spokesman for the de-
tense was Joseph Auerbach who
asked the court to consider the re-
cent pronouncement of DR.. Nicholas
Murray Butler in Columbus. thu the
Continued on Page 5, Col. 81