Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-09
Confidential List of Suspects
Being Used in Making
Roundup.
SIX TAKEN IN CUSTODY
IN NEW PHASE OF DRIVE
Some Gaming Places Declared
Equipped With Sets Capable of
Picking Up Police Breakfasts.

Six men were arrested on vagrancy
charges today when police, armed with
confidential lists of names, launched a
concerted drive against gamblers
This action followed close upon the
disclosure that at least a score of gam
ing establishments are equipped with
short-wave radio receiving sets capable
OF picking up police broadcasts
The men taken into custody today
were
Morris EWalt Irwin, salesman, A.. of
1913 Allison street.
William Dietz, 80, salesman. 46S In
diana avenue.
Barney Berlinsky, SO, salesman. 51O2
Ninth street
Hugh Francis Gallagher, 80. plumber,
Metropolitan Hotel
Charles John Baker, SO, chauffeur,
40 Emerson street
Tony Paul Passero. alias Montana, %,
chauffeur. 225 street northeast.
After being charged with vagrancy
the men were released on $500 bond.
List Has 10 Names.
Capt. Frank S w. Burke of the first
precinct, admitted that he had little
and very confidential list containing
the names of about 10 suspects He
said he expected Detectives Mostvn
and Mansfield to make "a number of
arrests today.
Capt. Burke said he was not in
position to name the official responsible
for initiating the drive.
The men arrested were taken into
custody by Headquarters Detectives
Dennis J. Murphy, H. K. Wilson and
John G.. Dalglish
1t was said they trailed suspects for
several days before preparing the liar.
1t was expected the arrests today
would be turned over to the corpora
ton counsel's office with the request
that they be made test cases.
Radio equipments have been installed
in the alleged gambling houses, not for
purposes OF receiving ''tip-offs" on
raids. but Just to see what the boys
ale doing"
1t was also learned that when a mes
sage is broadcast from HEADQUARTERS
ordering patrol car to go to the
vicinity Sf a certain gambling house,
wagers are made by the gentry inside
the house as to how many minutes
would elapse before the cars siren is
heard. Four minutes is said to be the
favorite bet.
Radio dealers today said they have
not sold or solicited trade in these short
wave sets, but they pointed ont that a
set to receive the police activities can
easily be made.
Not Used for Round ups
The police never resort to rounding
up raid squads by radio broadcast In
fact, 1t was explained at Headquarters.
the police radio is merely used 10 in
form automobile patrols as to reports
coming into the central Office from cit
liens
However, it was reported that short
wave set saved the day" for a group
OF gamblers late last week, when the
radio installed in the house, located in
the business section, announced that
there had been shooting at this par
ticular address.
Before 20 or more occupants Of
the two large rooms were able to scram-
ole out of the windows and make their
escape over the roof tops. two patrol
cars had pulled up in front Of the
building. When the investigating Off
GERS arrived in the rooms. according
to one OF them. the boys were about
to sing hymn
1t was learned that when a gambling
house is raided and police radio set is
found, it will be destroyed. Otherwise.
the police, it is understood, will not
wage any particular campaign against
the sets. When the RADIO broadcastine
station was installed by police six
months ago, study made in other
cities using police radios revealed that
1t was impossible to keep the messages
for police ears only.