Evening star., 1933-05-03
u. S. AGENTS OPEN
GANGSTER DRIVE
Murray Humphries, Former
Capone Aide, Among Those
Facing Charges.
BY REX COLLIER.

Uncle Sans "untouchables" Of the
Internal Revenue Bureaus intelligence
unit are continuing to make most un-
comfortable the racketeering throne
from which they led the Capone broth
ers to Federal prison
The latest occupant Of the gangdom
throne to be put ION the spot" by in
come tax investigators, 1t has been
learned. is Murray Humphries, reputed
Capone lieutenant. recently listed by
Chicago police as successor to AL Ca
pone's title Of Public Enemy No. L."
Aroused to greater diligence by an
apparent revival of gang rides"
bombings and other forms Of violence
typical of the racketeer, the Govern
ment Is known to be conducting wide
and intensive drive on gang leaders in
Chicago. New York and other large
cities afflicted with industrial terrorism.
Supervised by Madden.
The investigation Of the financial
affairs Of Humphries and Of several
otliar persons high on the list of Chi
caxo's reputed public enemies"-39 In
pumber-is being supervised by A. P.
Madden, special agent in charge OF the
Chicago Office of the intelligence unit,
who won fame for his success in get
ting Alfonso Capone on income tax
evasion charges. Madden is operating
under direction Of Elmer L. Trey, chief
of the intelligence unit, who refused
to discuss reports of the Chicago in
quiry for publication.
Frank Wilson, who shared honors
with Madden in the Capone expose,
IS unable to assist in the present In
yestigation because of an important as
signment in the East-the Lindbergh
Kidnapping case. Madden was work.
ing with Wilson on the Lindbergh case
until several months ago, but returned
to Chicago to take charge OF the gang
land inquiries there.
Humphries, long known as a Capone
gang leader, is said to have been ele-
waited to AL Capone's vacant seat by
mutual agreement Of racketeering ele-
ments in Chicago. His name headed
a list of public enemies" issued by the
Chicago Police Department last Janu-
ary. At that time he denied gang
Affiliations. saying he was given "a bad
name" by employers because OF his
union activities. He is connected with
Llle Sledn6IS anu byciS OlllOil.
Under Years Sentence.
Humphries Is under a sentence Of
one year for pistol toting, but has de-
layed serving time through court ap-
peals. He was arrested last November
with William (Three- fingered Jack)
White and Charles Fischetti, repr-e ed
members of the Capone crowd, when
police raided rooms in a downtown
Chicago building
Irey's agents meanwhile are waging
vigorous income tax inquiry in the
New York area under direction CT Hugh
McQuillan. They have obtained an in
dictment against Irving Wexler, alias
Wake Gordon, alleged beer racketeer,
for whom mide search is being made.
The Government investigators declare
Gordon's income from wildcat breweries
in New Jersey in 1880 was in excess Ct
s1,427 900, whereas he paid Federal
tax of only S10.76.
The income tax agents today are
opening number of safe deposit boxes
in Reading, Pa, listed in the name of
Max Hassell, beer runner. Hassell and
Joe Greenburg, beer syndicate leader,
were found shot to death in a hotel
room at Elizabeth, N. j., April IL. In
oiie poA oA Sduy oPeAeo Iiie decHlS al
said to have found more than 100000
cash and a note for $4,000, Endorsed
by two prominent business men.
The death of Greenburg resulted in
an inquiry by the Department of JUS
tice into the granting of permits by
the Prohibition Bureau to several New
Jersey wildcat breweries. The probe
was precipitated by the finding on
Greenburg of a brewery permit issued
under the new beer law.