Evening star., 1939-11-02
j. ). Warns Wire
Companies 10 Stop
Sending Betting News
Ultimotum Joined by
Counties Designed to
Curb Annenbere Net
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. Nov. 2.-Federal and
county prosecutors united forces to-
day in an unprecedented action to
destroy organized gambling by cut
ting OF communications services to
the vast M. L. Annenberg racing
news empire.
A Government attorney said this
was the first time in history that
such q cooperative effort was un-
dertaken.
william j. Campbell, United
States district attorney. and Thomas
J. Courtney, States attorney OF
Cook County Chicago. addressed
to three communications companies
an ultimatum that they cease serv-
Ing Annenberg network.
Forecast - Death BLOW.
The companies were the American
Telephone and Telegraph Co., the
Illinois Bell Telephone Co. and the
Western Union Telegraph Co. The
utilities previously had been sent
copies Of IN Indictment accusing
Annenberg and others OF using in
terstate wires In the furtherance
Of lottery scheme. Mr.. Campbell
at the time said that merely was q
warning. Conferences between the
Government, the utilities and An
nenberg agents followed.
While the ultimatum covered only
activities in the northern district of
Illinois. Mr.. Campbell said compN-
ance With 1t would be . death blow,
since contracts between the utiu-
ties and Annenberg interests were
executed in Chicago.
Asked what non compliance
would mean, Mr.. Campbell said:
If they fail to obey the only re-
course is grand jury action"
Letters to heads Of the three
communications organizations from
the prosecutors stated contracts with
Annenberg companies contained
provisions that the arrangements
covered by the contract shall not
be used for an unlawful act"
'These provisions" the Campbell
Courtney letters said, clearly au-
thorize discontinuance of service
for illegal purposes. Unquestion-
ably the operation Of these service
enterprises are unlawful.
"You are therefore respectfully
requested to Immediately terminate
such service"
"Attitude Of Cooperation
The prosecutors said the letters
were mailed last night to A. H.
Mellinger, president of Illinois Bell;
Roy B. White, president Of Western
Union, and Walter s. Clifford, presi-
dent Of A. T. & T.
The prosecutors said their action
was the result of several conferences
in recent weeks and that it meant
concerted action in the future
against all people using wire services
for illegal purposes"
The ultimatum, they said, was
issued while q decision of counsel
for the utilities on their part in the
case was pending. Attorneys for the
utilities expressed an attitude of CO.
operation with the Federal Govern
ment at conference Saturday, Mr.
Campbell said.
On August 30 Annenberg, Charles
Bidwell, owner of the Chicago Car
dinals, professional football club
and Of a ticket printing company
and James Ragen, ST., general man
ager Of the Nationwide News, were
indicted by q Federal grand Jury
which charged use Of interstate
wires for carrying "a list Of prize.
awarded by means of q lottery
scheme"
These prize lists, the indictmen,
stated, were the results of horse
races and the prices paid to backer,
Of them In the races. Another In.
dictment charged use of the mail,
In the furtherance Of the alleeet
lottery.
| Annenberg, 61-year-old publishe,
OF the Philadelphia Inquirer ant
numerous other publications. Ia de,
fendant In the largest personal in.
come tax case In history. He wa,
accused August II Of owing Ss.As..
364.60 In taxes, penalties and inter.
est for 1919 tn 1QaA irel,,six>