Evening star., 1927-12-02
Reports Say Federal Investi-
cation Links Officials
With Vice Chiefs.
"PROTECTION" AND RUM
WHOLESALING INVOLVED
Ward Politicians and High Men in
Department May Face Con-
spiracy Charges.
Ry the Associated Press.

and the operators of liquor and gam
bling resorts has been obtained by the
| United States Government in secret
investigation during the last month.
Every police captain, said the news
paper, has been continually shadowed
by Federal operatives during the past
few weeks. Ward and precinct com
mitteemen and their lesser lieuten-
ants" have been under surveillance.
Indictments Reported Ready.
The newspaper said it had been indi-
Gated that a number of indictments
already have been prepared, but were
being withheld until the Governments
case is completed. If indictments are
to be returned, the Herald and Exam.
iners information has 1t, they prob.
ably will charge conspiracy to violate
the Volstead act.
Government men have learned. the
newspaper said, that saloons and gam.
bling resorts have operated only upon
the payment of protection money"
which in some precincts went to high
ranking police officers"
George E. 0. Johnson, United States
district attorney. declined to comment
on the reported Government investiga
ton. except to reiterate the comment
he made two days ago that the Gov
ernment was naturally interested" in
recent gang killings, which seemed
related to violation of the prohibition
law. T
Politicians Are Accused.
The Herald and Examiner said that
4 mass of evidence has been stacked
on Mr. Johnson's desk. the evidence
for the most part being concerned with
collection activities Of ward and pre-
cinct politicians.
+ Among the things the Federal
agents have learned. the newspaper
said. was that alliances have been
made between some politicians and
gang leaders who control whisky and
heer distribution. Unless the saloon
owner makes his purchases from
specified sources he Ii not permitted
to continue operation, even though he
makes his tribute" payment said the
newspaper.
The start of the Federal investiga.
tion was ascribed to F.. c. Yellowley,
prohibition director. The district at.
torney's Office Is understood to have
taken over the Investigation later
with the cooperation OF the prohibi-
tion department here and at Wash
ington.
New Bombing and Staying.
A bombing, series OF raids, 40
arrests and the Staying of one man
were the recent crime developments
shown on police records today.
The bombing, raids and arrests. to-
gether with the accidental shooting
to death OF gunsmith at Springfield.
ILL.,. were linked, directly or indirectly
with Chicago's gang warfare. The
killing OF Fred A. Drullard, 32, how.
ever, was believed to have had no
gang connection
Drullard was shot down by three
men who wrecked their automobile in
wild flight two blocks from the
murder scene. All escaped. but license
plates on the motor car provided
clue which police prophesied would
lead to arrests
Druliard was stepping into his own
car when he was dropped by yolley
from the passing machine. Two bull
let's entered his body just below the
heart. Two revolvers, believed to have
been the weapons used in taking
Drullard's life, were found In nearby
alley -Four shots had been fired from
one and three from the other.
Blamed on Union Fight.
The Staying of Drullard was ascribed
to friction existing between two fac.
tons of the Electrical Workers Union,
Drullard having been active in group
seeking the overthrow of the one now
In control. Fred Drullard, an uncle of
the slain man. Is member OF the
unions executive council,
Three men. all armed, were arrested
for questioning. One Of them was
Joseph Williams, sec ~-ary of the
union:
The bombing.-the eleventh in fort
night of spasmodic gang skirmishing
was blamed by police. on the under.
world fight for control of gambling
and vice. An untenanted pool
hall on West Madison street was the
place bombed, the explosive being
pushed through the "lookout's" win.
dow in an armored front door. The ex-
plosion frightened tenants of the build
ing, but did little damage.
Five police raids were made during
the night. all against places credited
with membership In syndicate the
police say Frank Zuta heads. Zuta is
presumably aligned with the Aiello-
Skidmore group, pitted in the gang
conflict against AL Capone and his
supporters.
Shooting Held Accidental.
Mike AielIo. a cousin of the Aiello
brothers OF Chicago, was arrested in
Springfield gun store yesterday fol.
lowing the discharge of an automatic
pistol and the resultant death of the
proprietor. j. S. Fishman. Aiello was
released. however. when authorities
| decided the shooting accidental
Chicago police were OF the opinion
that Mike Aiello's effort to obtain fire.
arms in Springfield was an indication
that the Chicago groups were getting
ready to shoot out their difference If
peace moves failed.
| The Federal Government also found
itself taking part in the gang investi-
cations when Government officials. In
open court. charged that two of their
principal witnesses in the Capons.
Cicero liquor conspiracy case had been
slain. The killings thus reported to
Judge James III. Wilkerson were those
OF Santo Celebron and John Caste
tlaro.
Deaths of other witnesses also have
occurred during the past several
months. 1t was said. some of the vic
Tins having been secret witnesses
| through whom the Government hoped
20 build conviction cases"
|