Ice Money

In Miami, the Knight-owned Herald (circ. 186,166) and the Cox-owned Daily News (circ. 88,223) take turns denouncing gamblers and racketeers who do a reputed $100-million-a-year business in Dade County. Most Miamians ignore the periodic newspaper crusades; they seem to feel that the gamblers are only giving well-heeled tourists the fling they want.

But the papers keep hammering away. Last April, when baby-faced Reporter Don Petit of the News told his managing editor that he had some inside tips on Miami racketeering, he got the go-ahead. The Petit crusade was well-timed: a new grand jury was starting to investigate gambling and alleged police protection. For three weeks, Newsman Petit vanished from the city room into the underworld.

Last month, the News broke Petit's expose under Page One headlines: RACKETS THRIVE WITHOUT FEAR; WHO GETS THE PAYOFFS? Don Petit's story was detailed enough to make even blase Miamians take notice. It listed the addresses and telephone numbers of bookie joints, houses of prostitution and numbers-game headquarters. And it flatly charged that these rackets were operating with the connivance of the Miami police, who were paid off with "ice money," i.e., graft.

Said the News: "There are 16 detectives accepting graft in the Miami police department. This is one-quarter of the entire detective bureau . . ." The News did not name the 16, but it did not leave much room for doubt either: "Five of the graft-takers are in District Two. There are six [detectives] in this district."

When the News series appeared, some of the joints on which Reporter Petit had boldly put the finger closed with a bang. But Miami's cops were not so ready to turn in their badges. Last week, after the News had refused to retract its charges, 55 of the city's 63 detectives filed a $1,000,000 suit for libel. That was just what the News wanted. In court, it would have the chance to prove Reporter Petit's story--and get some action at last.

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