Evening star., 1950-06-19

District Committee Seeks to Follow Up
LocoI Crime Leads. Page B-I
life, entered the plea as he was
brought into special sessions court
for trial.
Reports circulated that Erick-
son made the guilty plea to pro-
tect wealthy, big money bettors.
District Attorney Frank Hogan
said he would demand "the stiff
est sentence" possible when Erick-
son is returned to court Monday
for sentencing.
Enters Guilty Plea.
The 54-year-old gambler, who
admittedly netted 100000 profits
annually from his coast-to-coast
gambling operations, is subject to
a maximum penalty of one year
in jail and a $500 fine on each
count of a 60-count information,
or total of 60 years and $50, 900.
His attorney, Sol Gelb, told
Justice Nathan B. Perlman that
the defendant wished to withdraw
his innocent plea and plead guilty
to the one count of conspiracy
and So counts of bookmaking.
The plump, balding defendant,
dressed in a dark blue suit with
white pencil stripes and light
gray tie, stood beside the defense
table as his attorney entered the
plea.
Continued in $4,000 Bail.
Erickson was continued in $10,-
600 bail.
After Mr.. Gelb entered the plea,
the judge turned to Erickson and
asked:
Does the defendant plead guilty
to each of the 60 countS?"
Yes" Erickson replied.
His fingers pressed hard against
the table top, but his face ap-
peared without emotion.
Mr.. Hogan said he saw no rea-
son why the 54-year old defend
and Should not be sent to jail for
a long time"
Plea ArOuses Speculation.
There are reports that Erick-
son pleaded guilty in an attempt
to lessen his penalty, although his
attorney had maintained up to the
time of the trial that the defend
ant would not do so.
Some OF the big business men
beutors dealing with Erickson re-
portedly wagered up to $4,000
daily.
Several of them had appeared
before the grand jury which made
the charges against Erickson.
The jury investigation came
after a raid on Erickson's plush
Park avenue Offices by a squad of
district attorneys men. They con-
fiscated truckloao of records and
data.
The raid was an upshot OF
Erickson's admission before SEN
ate investigating subcommittee
tht he operated a $12-million-a
year, coast-to-coast. bookmaking
enterprise. He testified his book
making business netted 100000
annually.
The downtown Manhattan
courtroom was crowded with
spectators as Erickson entered at
8 a. m. Unable to find a seat at
once, Erickson stood IN the center
aisle, appearing somewhat con-
fused
Sat at News Table.
A reporter made room for him
In the section occupied by news
men. Erickson remained there
until his attorney arrived a short
time later and led him to a chair
at the front of the room.
Immediately after his plea was
entered, Erickson left the court
room.
Erickson, a grandfather ane
one-time $3-a-week busboy, ha.
been arrested several times, buI
convicted only once-for lettering
For that. he paid a small fine.
In addition to the materia
seized at his Office. bank records
of the gambler were subpoenaec
by the prosecutor for use at the
trial.
The seized data showed, Mr.
Hogan said. that Erickson hac
connections with some of tn,
Nations top underworld figures.
Among those named were Jot
Adonis of Brooklyn and New Jer.
Sey, Meyer and Jake Lansky, Vim.
cent Jimmy Blue Eyes" Alo, anc
some of Detroit's Purple Gang.
All were linked in operation of tht
Colonial Inn, gambling place
near Hallandale, Fla, Mr.. Hogan.
aides said.
Besides a list of bettors, chic.
State witnesses were scheduled tx
include Harry Richards, 81, de.
scribed as Erickson's "f1nancia
front man."
Many of ErickSon's bank records
were said to be kept in the name
of Richards. who repeatedly hae
talked freely to investigators aftel
his seizure as a material witness.