The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1930-02-14
N. Y. BOOTLECCERS.
SELL 100000 OF.
WATER AS BOOZE

New York, Feb.-Charged with
100000 "from several
persons" by selling to them water
which was represented to be i'm
ported liquor, Edward Sonin, 26
years old, of 214 East 16Sth street
and Albert Chaser, 2S, of 1870
Sherman Avenue, both of the
Bronx, were held without bail by
Magistrate Renaud, in Jefferson
Market Court, for a hearing.
The scheme alleged to have been
used by the defendants is one
well known to the Federal prohi-
bition authorities and to many vic
time. Prohibition Administrator
Maurice Campbell recently out
lined to newspaper men the water
for-liquor plan with several var1a-
tons. Without passing upon the
guilt or innocence Of the two men
held, Federal officers said that
several persons had worked the
scheme and that most of the vic
tins were men of wealth and
prominence.
Get Passenger Lists.
First the swindlers obtain pass
enger lists of outbound transat-
lantic liners. These are examined
for good prospects" A wealthy
banker, for instance, has just sail
ed for Europe. The swindlers as
certain what members of his fam
lily remain in New York, then send
to one of them forged telegram
saying that the banker has ar
ranged with a man for a "deal''
which he expects the recipient of
the telegram to put through for
him. The telegram adds that the
man with whom he made the deal
will telephone about it.
The swindlers then telephone ia
the home of friend, as is done in
some cases, that the banker hac
ordered a quantity of liquor. Ar
rangements are made to deliver
the "stuff" and receive the money
for it. Upon opening the bottles
the victim discovers that he has
paid a fancy price for plain water
which may not even be potable.
The Real Stuff.
A similar trick frequently has
been worked on returning voyag
ers who are called up at theil
homes by person who announces
that he is the steward of the shiI
and has some "real stuff" whicl
ne was able to get ashore. If tn
offer is accepted, the delivery i
made by third party who re
ceives payment. The "real stuff
proves to be real water.
Since no liquor is possessed
transported, imported or sold il
such transactions, the Fedora
prohibition authorities are power
less and the cases must be handl
ed by the police. There have beel
few arrests for fraud of this char
! acter.
CHASER and Sonin are alleged t
) nclNC OOIolllCQ IliS cnIlIC PlOO,OO
from Several persons" on Wed
/, nesday by delivering water t
business partners and friends I
persons who recently had sale
:. for Europe.
The short affidavit on whit
Sonin and Glasesr were arraignt
! was signed by Detective Willial
! Wittenberg. 1t charged that Il
; defendants had arranged TO NAL
! delivery and receive payment
7 one case at Eleventh Avenue ar
, Eighteenth Street, location s.
lected to lend an air of reality
: their statements because of i
! nearness to the piers.
: The men were arrested by D,
; tectives Wittenberg, Benjamin an
n Cane, who said they found the
II waiting for their victim in tou
s ing car. They had steamship pa
q senger lists in their pockets, t
It police said. Sonin has no poll
record, but Chaser, alias Jose
Barton, alias Alberto Marks, h
been four times freed of felol
"a charges, the police reported.