In Philadelphia

More and more turbulent grew Philadelphia's liquor ring investigation (TIME, Sept. 17). The city's bootleggers, finding the local distilling plants padlocked were not downhearted. They ordered shipments of alcohol from Porto Rico via New York. These goods were seized, however.

Mayor Mackey of Philadelphia clutched the rostrum of the Arch Street Methodist Episcopal Church and begged Evangelist "Billy" Sunday to conduct "a great campaign in this city as an antidote to the bootlegger, hijacker and gunman." Mr. Sunday, responding, said the proposition was attractive.

Federal Agents. To the railroad station went newsmen, photographers, city officials. They met an incoming train. On board was George E. ("Hardboiled") Golding, "ace" of the Federal Prohibition Bureau, and eight assistants. Big, bespectacled Mr. Golding and his staff had recently combatted Chicago beer-runners with their own methods of shooting and blackjacking. This bravura policy is said to have caused Mr. Golding's removal. Previous to Chicago, he had operated in Cleveland, where he secured 112 indictments. The Golding fame rests largely on the Golding flair for secrecy. But never did soft shoe men indulge in such a brouhaha of publicity as did Mr. Golding in Philadelphia. He issued detailed announcements. He had his sleuths grouped and photographed at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. It was obvious that Mr. Golding wanted to give Philadelphia's 'leggers an even break. People said it was because Philadelphia is Republican and too many discoveries there might be embarrassing to Mr. Golding's superior, Mrs. Mabel Walker Willebrandt, Assistant Attorney General. As everyone knows, Mrs. Willebrandt is a Hooverizer of almost reckless intensity.

Bigwigs. Before their own Grand Jury the Federals began by reviewing the case of one Joel D. Kerper, "society bootlegger," whose headquarters were raided on July 20. The examination of 'Legger Kerper's records disclosed the names of many famed Philadelphians, presumably bigwigs who had dickered with him. Among these were: D. B. Cummins Catherwood, banker; Gardner Cassat, banker & broker; Roland R. Foulke, attorney & active churchman; Maxwell R. Marston, onetime (1923) national amateur golf champion; Major Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, author, lecturer, explorer, founder of the "Athletic Christianity" movement. Subpoenas were scattered far and wide.

Alfred E. Norris, Manhattan stockbroker, was indicted on a charge of conspiracy with 'Legger Kerper, who was alleged to have sent some 15 shipments of liquor to the broker's apartment. Special Assistant Attorney General Davis hoped to set a precedent for prosecuting buyers as well as vendors. He did not, however, neglect 'Legger Kerper, who was indicted on 33 counts.

"Boo Boo." In the meantime District Attorney Monaghan continued his examination of Max ("Boo Boo") Hoff, alleged Master Mind of Philadelphia's underworld. There was much evidence of Mr. Hoff's Christmas largesse to sympathetic policemen. Eighteen pound turkeys were the gifts he chose, and he gave them in flocks. Turkeys mysteriously appeared on the doorstep of many an officer who had never met Mr. Hoff. In 1926, said District Attorney Monaghan, "Boo Boo" gave $250,000 worth of Christmas presents to policemen.