Sensational Charges In U.S. Arms Traffic Investigation

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1938, Page 8

Sensational Charges In U.S. Arms Traffic Investigation

NEW YORK, December 17. >JHE ACTING UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, MR GREGORY NOONAN. ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF AN EXTENSIVE ARMS TRAFFIC, MASKED AS MCKESSON AND ROBBINS’ FOREIGN DRUG TRADE. It is reported that an entire Government arsenal was purchased several years ago, and it is believed that a vast bootleg machine, operated by Philip Musica, the swindler who became the head of the firm, was turned over to arms smuggling after the repeal of prohibition. John Cantor testified that the firm cr r/TcKesson and Robbins offered to sell him 250,000 Lee-Enfield rifles. It is revealed that a Bridgeport bank was approached last spring with a proposal that it represent the firm in a 29,250,000 dollars collection from a foreign Government for arms supplied.

Politicians Involved.

Ten separate investigations are proceeding. The Federal officers believe Musica was not the brains of the concern. It i's indicated that both Federal and State politicians are involved. The market value of the firm’s securities has dropped 35.000,000 dollars since the scandal broke. The authorities have cited McKesson and Robbins for marketing adulterated drugs. A scrutiny of the connection of a group of Connecticut politicians with the firm disclosed the records of Musica’s activities, which were missing from the files of the New York Court. Unmasking of Musica. Musica was unmasked because a sharp-eyed special investigator saw his picture in a newspaper, and recognised him as “William Jones,” with whom he had worked during the Great War investigating foreign spies. Johnson, in 1919, gave evidence on Mr Randolph Hearst’s alleged connections with Germany. Robert Musica’s fourth brother, alias Robert Dietrich, tonight joined George and Arthur in gaol.” Arthur, alias George Bernard, was arrested dramatically at the point of a gun, after half an hour’s siege in his Brooklyn home. It is revealed that he faked birth certificates, boldly ( inserted health department records, and enabled the brothers to conceal their true identity papers, signed by a non-existent Bronx midwife.

Musica gave the site of the Supreme Court as his birthplace.