Evening star., 1952-02-29

As New Kingpin Of
DC. Numbers Racket
A mystery man who may DO
we'll on bis way 10 becoming king
Of the numbers racket here 10
being sought by police.
Search for the man who Is
underwriting bets now that the
Big Three" have gone out OF
business, at least temporarily, was
indicated following the arrest Of
q narcotics peddler and seizure of
0 pillow slip full Of unused mum.
bers books.
Inspector Clarence Lutz, head
OF the gambling and liquor squad,
was reluctant to discuss the num-
bers racket Implications of the
latest arrest because or the in-
terest evidenced by the special
District crime grand jury.
But he said the arrest is the
first direct evidence Of q link
between narcotics peddlers and
the new numbers racket here.
Assistant United States Attor-
ney Thomas A. Walden called
at District jail yesterday to quiz
Joseph Peter Rabbit Smith, "a,
colored, Of the 1900 block Of West
Virginia avenue NE.
Seized in Raid.
Smith was seized during a raid
on a guarded. triple locked house
Wednesday evening. Police and
Federal agents found the numbers
books colncidental with the raid,
although they were seeking Smith
on a narcotics violation. .
Inspector Lutz said there have
been recurrent rumors that mar.
cotics peddlers have entered the.
numbers racket here since EN-
mitt Warning. Roger (Whitetop)
Sfmkins and Sam Beard curtailed
their operations in the face of
the new 10 per cent Federal tax
on the gross earnings of gam
blerS.
Police admitted they have no
leads as to who might be backing
the numbers racket here at pres
ent. They pointed out, however.
that 1t is still possible to place
a numbers bet.
Police amazed"
Police expressed amazement
that Smith. who was listed as
unemployed, had 1891 with him
when he was arrested, and is the
lwner Of 1862 Buick Riviera and
two television sets, one on the first
floor and one on the second floor
OF his West Virginia avenue home.
There is nothing far.fetched
to the theory that drug addicts
would turn to the numbers busi-
ness once 1t became wide OPEN"
Inspector Lutz said. I'VE know
that drug addicts will do anything
to get money to finance their
habit"
Smith and Warren r. Williams,
20. colored. arrested at the same
time, were held Under $4,000
bond each and their cases con.
tinted to March IL.
Meantime. United States At.
t6rhey Charles nj. 1felafl revealed
that narcotics or gambling indiet.
mehts or both are expected from
the special sfahd jury within tive
weeks.
The prosecutor told reporters In
vestigatien 30 fer indicates q
conspiracy pattern" In the ieeai
narcotics racket
He said he was particularly
pleased with the arrest OF Smith,
He described Smith a. being
on par with James Jim YelleW6
Roberts, so far as drug operations
are concerned,
Earlier, Esther Wright, ~, col.
efed, described as an acquaintance
OF Smith, was summoned before
the grand jury, She refused to be
sworn In as a witness and was
brought before District Judge
James w, Morris, who instructed
her that she must take the oath
and gave her time to consult an
attorney.
After consultation with Attorney
Curtis P. Mitchell, she returned
to the grand jury room, where she
remained for about is minutes.
Mr.. 1relan said she would be re-
called later.
The grand jury questioned a
number of other witnesses yester-
day including Government under
cover men. The panel was received
at the end Of yesterdays session
and will resume its investigation
on Monday.