New Britain herald., 1924-09-15
'DENOUNCES POLICE
 IN GAMBLING CASE
Lawyer Claims People Who Con- duct Fairs Should Be Arrested

The largest docket 10 pc presented In police court for some time was disposed of by Judge Benjamin W. filling this morning. when 3S were naled before the court as q result of the weekend activities of the police. The session was . marked one. not only for the number of de- fendants before the court, but also because of the arraignment of six yiolators of the liquor laws, the first for this month. and coming after the month of August, which was the ightest month for liquor cases since the advent of prohibition.
 Atty. David L. Nair peppered up the session when he appeared before the court in behalf of IS men who were, caught in police gambling raid upon the spanish-American hotel at 34 Lafayette street. conduct cd by Fredando Zaragoza.
 Police methods ilI handling the gambling situation were bitterly ar raigned by Attorney Nair who claimed in his fiery invective that the police have gone out of their way to prevent gambling in Zara- goza,s place while they have failed even to attempt gathering in men who are doing the real gambling. He said that if the police are going to undertake to raid and arrest men for playing cards for sodas and cigars, they ought to arrest the peo- ple who conduct fairs and carnivals in the city where they run wheels and other gambling schemes on which they realize large profits.
 Prosecutor Joseph G. Woods, in answer to question by the court, said that he stood ready to fear lessly" prosecute anybody who was found gambling in any way for soda or cigars. .......
 First Game For Money
 Zaragoza was charged with main- taining place resorted to for pur- poses of gambling, and yesterdays raid was the only time, as far as the evidence produced in court showed, that money had been played for. The defendants admitted that they had played cards in the place for sodas and cigars, but never be- fore for money. They said that Zaragoza told the court that he did not allow the men to play for money, but did not object to them playing for cigars and sodas as Chief William c. Hart of the police de- txu fnll hof all right.
 Four arrested on charges of gam bling pleaded guilty and the eight others pleaded not guilty. After sentence on the four men had been imposed, Prosecutor Woods made motion to the court that the money seized. about ssO, be turned over to the police pension fund.
 JNair objected in behalf of one of the defendants, who claimed that Detective Sergeant McCue had grab bed him by the neck and took the money out of his pocket. tearing the pocket in doing so. The torn pocket and marks on his neck were ex- hibited to the court to substantiate the story. The youth claimed that he had over $50 in his pocket, but that the money was not in the game at any time.
 Judge Alling said that he would not make any decision on the dispo- sition of the money until it was brought to his attention in a more formal manner than motion by the prosecutor.
 He said that the matter of dis position of goods seized by the po-- lice in raids was one he desired to secure more knowledge of. He re- ferred to the large amount of liquor that has been seized in raids, and against which no condemnation pro- ceedings have been taken. He said that before the liquor can be de- stroyed it must be condemned by the court in a hearing and the pro- ceedings must be instituted within AS hours after the seizure. He said he did not know what had happened or what could happen to all the liquor that has been seized and against which no condemnation pro- ceedings have been taken.
 Evidence was also submitted by the defense that the police had gone to the place on several oc- casions and. went through the building, Zaragoza claiming that they had visited the living rooms in their search for gambling. Judge filling said that the restaur- ant part of the building was public and the police were permitted to look, about there without warrant, but that they had no right in the living quarters without a search warrant or speedy information that crime was being committed. Zaragoza was discharged on the keeping charge, and eight of the men charged with gambling were also discharged. They were John Gaspan. Etienne Morand, Vincent Meniak, Joe Martin. Tony Coss. Joe Carr, Jack Veto and Tony AL phonse. Anton Vero and Alphonsr Mas were fined s7 on their pleas O guilty and James Perez and Ven turo Mas were fined s5.
 Six Liquor Gases
 five of the six defendants hale. before the court on liquor charge were found guilty. the eharp against Mrs. Sebastiano Fragionc 126 High street being nolled whel the husband. through Atty, Morri D. Sake, pleaded guilty and tool the blame. Fragione told the court that he had liquor in the house fo, his own use. but not for sale. His wife, on three ocasions, had sold small quantities of 1t. but as she was in very delicate condition, lie desired to take all the blaine. He was fined s200 and costs.