New Britain herald., 1927-03-14

GARDINER FIGURES
 IN RAID ON MOOSE
Reported to Have Sent Tip to
 Federal Officials

unsuccessful candidate for the mayoralty on the Farmer-Labor ticket at city elections a few years ago, shook hands after police court today with County Detective Edward J. Hickey and Federal Agent John kelleher. and walking over 10 the clerks desk. received 60 cents as a witness fee in the case of the state against James O'Brien secretary of New Britain lodge. Loyal Order of Moose. O'Brien having been fined s200 and costs on two counts of vii olation of the liquor law. to which he pleaded nolo contendere. Gardi- ner's name was on the warrant all though he was not called to testify because Of O'Brien's plea. IL is said he wrote to the federal prohibition director relative to alleged liquor sales at the Moose club. 242 Main street. with the result that it was raided Saturday night.
 County Detective Hickey testified that he and Officer Risley Of the states attorneys office. Federal Agent kelleher and local policemen raided the club room Saturday night. i He did not mention the time, but l the police department records show 1 that Sergeant OMara and Officers | Feeney and Stadler were detailed by ] Sergeant Rival on Detective Hickey's request, shortly after Q o'clock. De- tective Hickey had the search war | rant
 l Describing the raid, Detective ! Hickey said the Moose club is To- cated opposite Central park and con- 1 sists Of one small room and two | large rooms O'Rrion was behind i the bar when the raid was made. a key being used to open the door. The | detective did not state how he came i into possession of the key. On i March f. he said. he received com- . plaint from the states attorney, and he also received a complaint from the federal prohibition director.
 O'Brien admitted that liquor was sold to members of the organization, for thirty-tlve cents a drink. also that he was secretary Of the order. tho detective said. Asked by Prose- cutting Attorney Woods relative to the dismantling of the bar,' petec- tive Hickey said he spoke 10 O'Brien about it today and the latter was willing that it should be done.
 Attorney David l.. Dunn. repro sentnS O'Brien. said there was no question that the law was violated. , The Moose conduct q clubroom for members and the violation was a 1 naerant one. he said. He askc cd ! Judge Hungerford to give considera- ton to this fact in imposing the , penalty.
 After imposing the fine, Judge HunCtrford ordered the bar r"mov7 would see that this was done. As far as l can. Your Honor.' the at torney replied. After shaking hands
 with Detective Hickey and officer Risley. and signing his name in inc
 witness book. Gardiner pocketed his fee. You did not ev Il have to t"s-
 Iify, Mir. Gardiner" a hystander re- 1 lIldI k''il u ilIIll. anu Ii' IFFIi''
 "oh, some times q get something good"
 According to the entry on the
 warrant, the seizure included the
 followins: Eight cases of beer. five
 5-gallon glass jugs Of alcohol tone
 partly fulp. four 5-gallon casks of
 wine. two gallons Of gin in q coffee
 container, two gallons of whiskey in
 q coffee containar. one quart bottle
 of whiskey. one quart bottle three quarters full of Whiskey. one soda
 bottle Of gin. one quart bottle one
 half full Of gin. one quart hottlt
 three quarters full of gin. Accord
 ing to Detective IIcheys testimony
 the beer and some of the whiSke.
 and gin were behind the bar in tho
 rear room. the wine was in an ice
 box. and the glass jugs of gin anG
 whiskey were in the front room.