Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 152, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 November 1931 — Page 3

NOV. 4, 1931

JURY PONDERS FATE OF RUM RING SUSPECTS 'Just Helps His Friends,’ Is Modafarri’s Defense to Booze Charge. Evidence of w idespread operations oi what federal officials termed Indianapolis’ “most vicious liquor gangsters,” was scanned this afternoon by a federal court jury deliberating booze law violation charges against Giovanni (Joe) Modafarri and eight of his alleged agents. The jury took the case before noon after arguments by government and defense attorneys. “It is the duty of the jury to convict this vicious gang of booze makers, rum runners and gunmen,” George Jeffrey, United States district attorney, declared. Called “Big Hearted” Defense attorneys said Modafarri was not a “booze king” but a “bighearted” individual who paid rent and utility bills for his friends. The government’s case revealed that in each instance where Modafarri paid house bills, a still was found on the premises. Modafarri and his brother, Paul, are named in five counts charging manufacture of liquor and two charging conspiracy to violate the liquor law. Others charged either with conspiracy or manufacture of liquor arc: Mrs. Mary Skaggs, Patsy Rossi, Charles Fosso, and his wife, Antonio, Roscoe angalla, John Werz, and Cyril Leathers. “I help out all my friends. I am not a whisky seller—whatsoever,” was the defense Modafarri offered against charges that, for almost four years he has, been the “Little Caesar” of the alky racket in Indianapolis. Baltzeil Loses Patience The alleged big shot had his chance on the stand Tuesday, but muffed it, for before he concluded his testimony Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzeil buret out: “I’m tired of hearing this man testify.” After a brief cross-examination the judge ordered the dapper little Italian-Amcrican from the stand, where he had insisted that he merely is a real estate operator with a soft heart for fellow countrymen, who frequently come to him for aid in buying real estate, automobiles and other articles entailing reference and contract signatures. “Is it merely coincidence that all these houses you helped your friends buy, and all these cars you aided them to purchase, later were involved in distillery raids and liquor seizures, Joe?” asked the judge. Joe knew most of the questions and answers, but not quite all of them—not that one. Star witnesses for the government were Mrs. Bertha Anderson, former paramour of the mob’s chieftain: Ralph Fisher, ex-law studont, who confessed bootlegging for Joe, and Edward R. Devlin, special prohibition agent, who tapped telephone wires leading to Modafarri’s headquarters at 231 South Noble street, and recited to the jury several conversations he overheard. Identifies Papers Devlin also identified a collection of exhibits, receipts for rent, gas, water, light and other payments at several addresses where stills were seized, and told the jury he found those papers in Modafarri’s desk. It W'as this collection that Modafarri explained by testifying that he was the innocent victim of Samaritanism toward illiterate Italian friends. Mrs. Anderson told of a five-year love affair with Joe, and declared she and her brother hauled liquor for the “big boss” and that she accompanied him many times when he superintended delivery of booze. Fisher told of having sold whisky for Modafarri, until his sedan, driven by Herbert Skaggs, husband of one of the defendants, was seized by police and confiscated because it had liquor in it. Asserts Main Tapped Joe, he said, then gave him another car, in which he was caught with three gallons of liquor the same day. Repeating the telephone conversations he tapped, Devlin said Joe called Werz, an Irvington plumber, after a raid on a house at 3129 Moore avenue, and told him to hurry out and remove a gas line that had been tapped on the main behind the meter to serve the still without registering through the meter.

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HEREDITY BLASTS ROYAL ROMANCE

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Spanish Princess Is Found Tainted by Unusual Family Disease. (Copyright. bv United Press) PARIS, Nov. 4.—The engagement of Princess Beatrice, daughter of exiled King Alfonso of Spain, and Prince Alvaro de Bourbon-Or-lleans has been broken because she is a carrier of a disease which also blasted the romantic dreams of her younger sister, Princess Christine. Alfonso, the “last of the Bourbons,” has forbidden the marriage because of the discovery that both of his daughters are “carriers” of haemophilia, the. hereditary scourge which has afflicted the Bourbon line through centuries of power in Europe. Princess Beatrice, whose wedding date first was set for October and then for December, and her sister are not sufferers from the disease, but they could transmit it to their children. Incapable of Coagulation ( Haemophilia is a condition which makes the blood incapable of coagulation and the afflicted—such as the last tsarovitch of Russia, or the prince of Asturias, eldest son of Alfonso—easily might bleed to death because of a minor cut or bruise, which would break the skin. The plans for the marriage of Princess Beatrice and rumors of the engagement of Princess Christine to Prince Alvaro and his brother, Alonzo, has given the royal family’s place of exile at Fontainebleau an atmosphere of romance for many weeks. Princess Beatrice was sewing on her wedding clothes and planning to go to Switzerland with her young fiance after their marriage to permit him to complete his engineering studies at Zurich. See London Experts Then Alfonso and Beatrice consulted two London specialists and were informed that both daughters would be certain to transmit haemophilia to any male children. An operation to end danger of

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

LESLIE PAROLE BENEFICIARY IN . JAIL AS THIEF Arthur Dampier, Wounded, Under Suspicion in 'Chicken Raid.’ His leg wounded by buckshot, Arthur Dampier, 29, of 1031 Virginia avenue, former convict, was nabbed by detectives today in a south side poolroom after a search of five days. He is held on a vagrancy charge under SSOO bond in connection with an attempt of two prowlers to steal chickens Oct. 29 at the home of J. A. Nicum, 1101 Bacon street. Recent release by Governor Harry G. Leslie of Dampier from the state reformatory, where he had completed service of a six months’ sentence, aroused the ire of Criminal Judge Frank P. Baker, who criticised the Governor fer freeing Dampier, who had not paid a SSOO fine also included in his sentence. Convicted of Assault Dampier was convicted in criminal court on a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill, resulting from an alleged hijacking plot. Detectives Charles Russell and Lee Oliver, who arrested Dampier in a poolroom at Shelby and Holliday streets, said he was wounded. Niccum, awakened by prowlers in his yard, fired his shotgun as the men fled. He told authorities then he believed he had wounded one of the duo. Two Women Flee Two women were found in a car near Niccum’s home, and when he went to call police, they fled. Police are holding the car. Detectives said they also are

Ride? He Can by United Press EDWARDSVILLE, 111., Nov. 4. —The latest innovation of hitch-hikers was introduced here by an east-bound wanderer. Carrying a five-gallon red gasoline can, the hiker stopped to explain “that people offer him rides thinking they are helping a motorist in distress, and they see the joke when I confess,” he says. He carries his clothes in the can.

searching for the other alleged chicken thief and the women. Dampier’s police record shows he was slated in 1927 on burglary counts, but the case was continued indefinitely. In January, 1928, his name appeared on records under burglary and assault counts, but these also were dismissed. A blind tiger charge of August, 1930, also was dismissed. His conviction for the assault charge in February resulted from Damphier slugging a south side resident in an effort to learn the hiding place of a cargo of liquor. Latvian Cabinet Resigns fill United Press RIGA, Latvia, Nov. 4.—The cabinet resigned Tuesday night after the first session of the new parliament.

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FLAYS VEHLING PLEA FOR MORE AUTOPSY FUNDS Snider Resents Request on Grounds of Waste; $350 Sought. Flaying Coroner Fred W. Vehling for asking the county council for additional money to defray autopsy expenses. County Commissioner George Snider today condemned Vehling for performing autopsies on three persons killed recently in traffic accidents. Snider launched the attack at Fred Barrett, Vehling’s attorney, who appeared before the council as the coroner's representative, to ask for $350 for the fund. Vehling, who recently was criticised for holding a needless autopsy on the body of Lieutenant Louis L. Stanley, fireman at engine house No. 16, killed in a crash Sunday night at Sixteenth street and Central avenue, did not appear in person. Relatives of a man and wife killed

Still Trying By United Prrss DENVER, Nov. 4.— M ra. Frankie ren-Yardborough-O’Neill-Cala-han-Kile-Bryan was ready to add anew name—Flannigan—to her sizeable collection today. Mrs. Bryan and Joe Flannigan were convinced that “it all will be different this time." Denver's—and perhaps the west’s—most married woman was certain “there never will be another divorce.” Mrs. Bryan, first married fifteen years ago, divorced hubby No. 1 “because he was a trifling sort of guy.” For the same reason, she divorced seven other husbands. “I've sought long— and you can’t rule a girl off for trying,” Mrs. Bryan said.

near Cumberland several weeks ago when a passenger train struck an automobile in which they were riding, also assailed Vehling for performing autopsies on the bodies. Snider questioned Barrett about the cases, asserting it apparently “was a waste of money.” Barrett denied knowledge of the cases, asserting he was “out of town when it happened.”

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COURSES TO START Kirshbaum Will Observe Educational Week. Observance next week of “Educational week” will mark the start of five educational courses at Kirshbaum center, officials of the Jewish Community Association announced today. The courses, consisting of twelve weekly lectures, three of them with practical instruction, will be in line with the J. C. C. A. policy and will be open to the general public at a nominal fee. Courses offered will include psychology, highlights of modern literature, conversational French, practical public speaking, and practical lettering and sign painting.

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