New Britain herald., 1928-08-30
H0FF IS LINKED
With rum RACKET
Philadelphia Has Sensational
Scandal Millions Involved

Philadelphima. Aug. 80 LP - The
grand jury's investigation OF the
rum racket. gangster Sayings and
quick fortunes reached deeper to-
day into the doings of the under
world.
Max Boo Hoo" Hoff, wealthy
sportsman and fight manager.
charged definitely by District At
torney John Monaghan with being
the leader OF an alcohol ring and
with directing attempts 10 intimi-
date witnesses, remained under sub
poena. after sensational revelations
yesterday, and was TO be questioned
further.
Louis r. Gilman, former chauf-
| feur for Hoff furnished the biggest
news of the day when he definitely
| linked Hoff with the rum ring and
| asserted that he had been beaten
| by Sailor Freedman. former Chicago
! prize fighter, and threatened with
death if he testified against his for
mer employer. A warrant has been
issued for Freedman's arrest
Elfman's disclosures, Mr.. Mona
CHAN said, show that Hoff has a
close alliance with the notorious
"Scarface' Al Capone of Chicago.
and has been instrumental in bring
ing to Philadelphia gunner from
Chicago to intimidate witnesses in
the investigation.
After a long session with the
grand jury Gilman sat in the dis
trict attorneys Office while the
prosecutor announced to newspaper
men, I'VE are now going TO open
up on these murderers and boot
leggers."
This man has had the courage
to tell the truth about the rotten
conditions Mr.. Monaghan said,
land at the risk of his life. He was
a respectable electrician with a nice
wife and two children. Seven years
ago he met Max Hoff He did some
electrical work for him Then this
bootlegger and employer of gunner
tempted with big wages He en-
ployed him as trailer for alcoho oil
trucks from one place to another.
On the first trip Hoff accompanied
him. They both had guns. supplied
by Hoff. They went to the Consoli-
dated Ethyl Alcohol company A
load of alcohol was obtained and
he and Hoff trailed out to a freight
station where Hoff superintended
loading it into car. Gilman was
used to trail trucks of alcohol and
did this 400 or 500 times
Eighteen months ago Gilman
decided to go straight and quit
Soon after We Sci 81 him with a
subpoena to appear before the
grand jury he was met on the
street by Sailor Freedman, a no.
torious character. He was beaten
up and his life threatened,
"Elfman also disclosed that the
notorious AL Capone was in this city
and lavishly entertained by Hoff
Gilman was present and met him
l want all Philadelphia to know
| tiiiS. p" Ailt S\Ni SOHC W HilOW that
Hoff and his gang have brought or
Chicago gunner to threaten and
intimidate witnesses who may be
| called.
"Elfman is going to get day and
night protection from now on;
there is going TO be no humping
off so far as I've is concerned"
In his efforts to trace the owner
ship of 31o.ooo.00o said to have
been deposited here under fictitious
names by. wealthy racket men. this
district attorney last night seized
the books and records of Harks
Weinberg and company, public &C.
countants. They were to be called
before the grand jury today, it wa,
announced. to verify reports tha
Information of bootlegging activi
ties will be found.