New Britain herald., 1925-09-24
GIGANTIC BOOTLEG
ring IS BATTERED
Regiment Of Dry Agents Made
Clean-Up in New York
HOPE TO CONVICT 27 MEN
Theatrical District and Times Square
Raided Rum Dealers Worked
In GuiSe Of Real Estate Firm -
Highcr-Ups Nabbcd.

New York, Sept. - Gp - What
Is officially regarded as the biggest
bootleg ring in the country has
been smashed after being allowed
to operate five months while regi-
meut of federal agents obtained evi-
dence on which they hope to con-
ylct 27 mon of conspiracy TO violate
the dry law.
Big Raids Made
Raiders Of the now dry regime OF
Gen, Lincoln c. Andrews yesterday
invaded two office buildings sinful
taneously in the theatrical district
at Times Square and arrested 1S
men. Warrants for "A moro remain
to be Served.
The ring, doing business In tho
guise of real estate firm, operated
in Canada and the United states.
Federal authorities learned about
the ring through the seizure OF the
steamer Nantisco off Astoria, l.. J.,
last April with 500 cases of liquor
after she had come through the
coast guard blockade disguised with
lumber piled on deck
Trail Led to Wcxlcr
Thirty agents put on the case
found that the ship had been
bought at Gloucester City, Va, by
an agent of the ring for $4,000. The
trail then led to Irving Wexler, alias
Wake Gordon. we'll known crook
authorities said. Wexler evidently
got wind Of what was coming and
fed to Europe with his wife a re"
days ago in a luxurious stateroom'
Aides Are Caught
Three of Wexler's lieutenants
however, were arrested. The ring
Ia said to have maintained purchas-
ing agents In Nova Scotia, leased
warehouses In the United States and
sold choice liquors to broadway
cafes and habitues. Only 27 pnts oi
whiskey were found In the othces
Records of customers also Were
seized.
While the agents were there
rafe proprietor telephoned for
case of claret. He was told to come
and get 1t. He did, and was arrest
ed.
Nab the Big Men
The raids yesterday carried ou
+he rolicv of nabbing the higher
ms and letting the small fry uk
bartenders and walters go. Nor
than score Of all-night cabaret
have been padlocked In recen
months under the direction Of FED
eral Attorney Buckner.
Wexler, or Wake Gordon, has
criminal record dating back
1907. federal authorities said II
has been arrested IN BOSTON, PM
sdsIrhia and New York on charge
ranging from grand larceny I
suspicion Of murder. He ma
served terms in the ITolmsSurg' Ia
nrison, Elmira, n. y reformator
and Sing Sing.
The ring it Is stated, was pei
ritted to dispose of It's wares a
over the country after the SciHui
Of the Nantisco, In order that l
operations might be watched
even was permitted TO get moi
iouor from Canada.
Federal Investigators. said u
agency operated on a huge financi
scale. using large banks in this cl'
for it's transactions,
The Investigators found that OF
Of the alleged members of the rim
Arthur Kraus, for whom "arra'
has been issued, deposited In a ST
gle month more than s9oo,0Po
one bank, Mr., Buckner did n
name the bank. but he said N
last December the National CT
hank issued to kraus a letter
credit for $4,000.
The government prosecutor q
serted that on a single day last Nj
2s. the agency received orders at
Times Square headquarters for 4,S
cares of whiskey