The Washington times., 1928-08-04
3 ARRESTS
HERE SEEN
AS THEIR
WORK

Possibility that the Four
Horsemen. Federal prohibi-
ton agents who were the
terror Of New York night-club
owners, had arrived here, was
seen with last night s raid on
an alleged .speakeasy in the
200 block Of Eighteenth St.
II. w.
Federal enforcement officers have
lnsinuafed that the successful cam
paign of these agents in New York
would be followed by the transfer OF
their activities to the Capital.
Raid Spectacular
Last nights raid on the Anlbass-
ador Oyster Club, described by SergL.
q. ]. Letterman as .the most spec
tacular have ever witnessed, was
featured by wild disorder both in and
outside the establishment.
Il. Al. Rfckert. OF the 200 block
Eighteenth St. N, W., charged that
he was dragged inside the place ann
taken TO the third floor by an Of
fieer. Rickert was struck on the
left eve. according to statements
made by several witnesses. He had
No connection with the establishment,
he said. and was only watching out
side.
gerst1 I,ettern1an. W. F.. Burke
and q C.. McCarron, members of
his SQUAD. were accompanied by j.
4 Quinn. deputy prohibition com
missioner for the District OF Column
4bia. and Maryland, by 3. n. Quinn,
local enforcement operative, and BY
three other agents.
Mysterious Three
'sThey are new to me- Letter.
man said of the mysterious three.
IT wouldn't like to comment on
that part of the affair"
William Deegan, brother of John
Deegan. who was slain several
years ago in a brush with the mem
bers of the original Flying Squad
rom" was designated by police as
the ruling spirit of the Ambassador
Oyster Shop. where not only oys-
ters. but beer, highballs and gam
bling games were found, it is claimed.
Deegan. charged with sale and
possession of liquor and permitting
gaming. was released on $500 bond.
His brother, Francis. "a. was also
charged with sale and possession
and was released in 81 900 bond.
A crowd of perhaps 500 persons
gathered on the sidewalk and Kissed
the raiders as they prepared for
Thorough search of the premises.
Two operatives. who We're on the
second floor, having gained admit
lance as guests" disclosed their
identity to others present when
Letterman blew a whistle outside.
Guns Are Drawn
The methods used to knock Off
Broadway night clubs were brought
into play as the TWO agents drew
their guns and calmly ordered all
present to remain where they We're.
As these two held the guests at
bay. the agents outside were ham
pered by thick double doors and
It was only after they mad chopped
hole in a wall that they were
able to get inside.
Meanwhile. someone turned off
the lights and the raiders had to
use flashlights as approximately 10
persons who were on the second
e.oor, tried 10 flee. Chairs and
tables were pushed over in the dis
order.
The first. floor of the oyster shop,
Letterman said. was occupied as a
soft drink esta blishment and Gus.
toners Of long acquaintance only
were admitted to the second floor,
which was said to be deliberately
furnished
Three Other Arrests
In addition 10 the Deegans. three
other men were arrested on liquor
charges. They gave their names as;
Clarence Meyers, 45, the 1900 block
3 ST. n. E.; James Walsh, 2s, the
200 block Eighteenth ST. n. W,
and Burgess F. Hart, %, Of the
same address. All were released on
bond.
Rickert is said to be an employe
OF the legal department of the Capi.
tai Traction Company.
Disparaging remarks addressed to
the members of the raiding party
ere said TO have preceded the in
cident.