ANTI-CRIME DRIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 March 1935, Page 5

ANTI-CRIME DRIVE

SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE THREE PEOPLE MURDERED BY NEW YORK GANGSTERS (United Press Association —By Eleotrio Telegraph—Oopyrignt) NEW YORK. 3rd March. On the eve of the grand jury investigation into vice, gambling and racketeering in New York City, gangsters murdered three men to-day, and each case the police believe was an effort by underworld leaders to suppress evidence regarding their activities. Two of the slain men shot down in the streets from passing motor cars were identified as “salesmen” for the “policy racket,” an illegal lottery which is said to enjoy an income of approximately 500,000,000 dollars annually. The third victim was a taxi chauffeur. He was without a criminal record and the police believe the intended victim was a woman passenger connected with white slave operations. The present anti-crime drive started with charges by clergymen and others interested in the suppression of vice and gambling that the police were protecting racketeers and with political leaders were receiving huge “graft” from these sources. The police claim to have made over 300 arrests for “policy” operations in the past two months, but" admit tin’s type of gambling is still 'flourishing.