The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 6

Boston Sunday Globe December 31, 1967 Gangland Figure Murdered; Second Survives Sniper Fire fi I hit 4 ROOF CAVES IN A decorative cupola atop the Five Seasons Restaurant in Easton" collapses into the flames. The general alarm blaze was fought by departments from six towns, but their efforts were hampered by frozen water mains. The restaurant's manager estimated loss at more than (AP)'s By JAMES STACK Staff Rp porter Richard R. Grasso, 34, described by police as a "two bit hood," lay dead Saturday in a Brookline funeral home. Walter Elliot, 28, another minor underworld figure, was under police guard in Boston City Hospital with two gunshot wounds in his stomach.

Both were gangland targets in what police believe to be a fresh outbreak in the murderous power struggle that began in March 1964. Grasso, of East 4th South Boston, was the 48th man to die in Greater Boston's bloody gangland war. Elliot, of Flaherty way, South Boston, was marked as No. 49 but escaped in what police regard as a rare instance of faulty underworld marksmanship. Elliot, who is expected to live was gunned down shortly after 9 Friday night while walking near the corner of and 4th close to his home.

Less than three hours later, Grasso's body was found in the trunk of his own 1967 Buick Wildcat sedan, abandoned in Brook-line. Grasso, fully clothed except for his trousers, was found face up, two bullet holes in his head, after the car was towed to the Brook-line police garage. Police were working around the clock Saturday to determine how each fit into the puzzle that has baffled law enforcement officers for 42 months. There was no immediate evidence of a direct connection between the two shootings, but authorities sought the connection they feel sure exists. "We have a very good idea as to the reasons, the causes and the perpetrators of many of these so-called Elliot had his first association with gangland figures.

They think Elliot's less fortunate South Boston neighbor, Grasso was killed for his part in the betrayal of an underworld friend. The discovery of Grasso's body came six days after a close friend, William (Billy) Bennett, 56, was shot four times in the chest and dumped from a car into a Dorchester gutter. Grasso was the last person known to have seen Bennett alive. He picked him up at his home in Mattapan and drove off with him in the car found Saturday night. Bennett's body was dumped only minutes later, less than a mile from where Grasso picked him up.

Investigators believe that Grass apparently up" Bennett, a man who trusted him, and was killed himself by those, who felt he was too weak to keep the secret. "Grasso was either the victim of a double-cross, or his murder was a precautionary one said. Bennett, police said, was a highly circumspect, even skittish, type who made it a rule never to get into a car with anyone he did not know and trust. Bennett's ever-present pistol was found unused in its shoulder holster when his body was found a circumstance suggesting he was taken by surprise. Bennett, an enforcer for Boston loan sharks is thought to have been killed because he had been searching for clues in the disappearance early this year of his two brothers Edward (Wimpy) Bennet, and Walter Bennett, both alleged racketeers.

Grasso is belived to have been hired to "set up" Bennett after the latter began hiring underworld guns of his own to help him search for his brothers. Boston Parties Cost Less in Th city's newest luxury w.i tv. sKrann.Rnctnn HOLIDAY Continued from Page 1 On Saturday, downtown was unusually calm. Many persons had left town to be with relatives or to try out their ski legs. Others were planted solidly before television sets for the beginning of a football bonanza.

For those to whom New York's means ballyhoo and booze, there was an abundance of watering places to choose including neighborhood parties and night clubs which offered a package deal complete with noisemaker. The tabs for these prefabricated fetes ranged up to ACCIDENT Since 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 RICHARD GRASSO the larst Investigators could not even learn which of two women, Elliot's wife or sister, was in his company when he fell bleeding to the sidewalk. Elliot was believed at first to ha been in the company of a sister, Mrs.

Edith King, when he was hit. Saturday, however, his wife said it was she with whom he was walking at the time. Elliot is known to have been under investigation recently for gangland activities. Police believe an attempt was made on his life to prevent him from talking in the likely event of arrest in this connection. STUDIED AT WALPOLE Elliot, convicted of armed robbery and other crimes as early as 1957, has a lengthy criminal record.

He was sentenced to Concord Reformatory, where he was implicated as a ring leader in a riot by convicts. Elliot was taken out of Concord in 1953 to stand trial in Middlesex County on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon. He was convicted and sentenced to 9-10 years in State Prison at Walpole. It was while he was at Walpole, police believe, that leaves a brother, William F. of Medford, and three sisters, Mrs.

Mary E. McTer-nan, the wife of an Army captain, and Loretta R. and Irene all of Medford. A high Mass will be sung Tuesday at 9 a.m. in St.

Joseph's Church, Medford, miIi bui'iiil in St. lWs Cemetery, Arlington. S80 a couple at the Persian Uoom in New York for dinner and a show. Prices in the Boston Area, perhaps as a concession to New England thrift, were more modest. Two of New England's largest supper clubs, The Monticello.

in Framingham and Blinstrub's in South Boston (which claims to be the world's largest), will provide a couple with din-ner; dancing, entertainment and party favors for $30. A downtown supper club, The Other Side, in Park Square, will do the same at the same price but also offers a no cover, no-minimum open house in its cocktail lounge. DEATHS secrelary of the Civil Service Commission, said the decision will go to court to nullify the former mayor's appointment of Sgt. HOLIDAY in the Prudential Center, of fers a dinner-dancing package for $37.50 per couple. Jazz fans can get a full buffet and some smooth music for $25 a couple at Lennie's on the Turnpike in West Peabody.

K-K-Katy's in Kenmore Square, one of the complex of dancing-dating bars in the For shoes you'll th pnde PENAU0 FLYTE, a casual in grain calf and smooth calf: biack wiih otter; bone with malt; navy wedgwood; red, green or grey with black; a'l-black or all-white. Sizes 2Vx to 13 t4rec For AAAAto EE 09S lO'j to 11 a bit more 45 WINTER STREET Writ or call DE 8-8019 for tngil erdtr or fn catalog. Optn Tuot. and Wd. Evti.

Mass. Mc. N.H. Vt. Auto If 9 5 3 Fire 1 2 0 Storm 14 2 3 2 Other 12 ,,0 0 Totals 30 14 10 7 Has 2 Deputy Chiefs, One Must Go saying they acted to bring about a clarification of the position." The decision is up to the courts now.

Harold Rasche, executive WALTER ELLIOT he escaped 'gangland' homicides," Donald Conn, assistant attorney general assigned to organized crime, related. "Our problem is that the underworld which is involved just won't talk. They won't tell us what they know, methods exactly what's going on." Conn said he is "pessimistic" enough to feel there will be no letup in the latest rash of violence that began with the killing of John M. Havlin on Dec. 1.

There were four killings this month including Havlin's and an apparent attempt on Elliot's life. NO END IN SIGHT "This continued violence, despite the stepped-up activ-iy of law enforcement agencies at every level suggests that the war of guns is uncontrollable," Conn said. "Apparently there is no underworld boss in a position to order a cease-fire, even temporarily." Elliot was visited at the hospital by Lt. Det. Edward Sherry of the Boston Police homicide bureau, and Sgt.

Frank Walsh of the Suffolk County district attorney' office. "See my lawyer," was all Elliot, or members of his family, would say. topher, 21, of 1 Ivy circle, Winchester. Police said the car went out of control on a stone bridge on Mystic Valley pkwy. at 1:10 a.m., ripped sway 100 feet of miling and dropped 20 foot into the brook, landing en its roof.

M.D.C. Police said three of the youths were in the bridge when they arrived. All were suffering from shock and were unable to give a clear account of the accident, the police said. M.D.C. Patrolman Robert Balliird and Paul Tartarini splashed into the brook as soon as they wore told there might be someone inside the car.

but they did not ivtteh lioyle. Boyle's body was recovered a short time later by Lt. Joseph Cronin of the Arlington Fire Dept. rescue squad. Boyle had boon home on leave over the holidays in anticipation of hi first over ford Hign nuiooi and at- tended Northeastern University before entering the Army.

his mother, lie MM Uf4 A phon 8931810 -843-0085 RESCUE WORKERS examine car which plunged off Mystic Valley pkwy. into Alcwife Brook. A Mcdford man was killed in the crash, police said. (UPI) Victim Tried to Escape As Car Sank in Brook area that serve the Back Rsv colleEe community; will add another dollar to its usual $1 admission charge to cover the cost of party favors. 1 In New York, thousands of celebrants are expected to forsake the Time Square crush in favor of a gospel concert and post-midnight dancing in Central Park.

Our Toast to You: 1 NEW YEAR'S; EVE DANCE PARTY- Sun. Nile, 7 p.m. to I a.m. From WKOX-FM 105.7 on your dial; 7 p.m. Itftri-ttii-pirty tmofffti sounds (or row IUtei; pleasure.

I p.m. Special Rajr Smith show i two-hour musical parr Year's dance music if tti.lill'1 20's, 30'i and early 40't. 10 p.m. MUSIC OF. TOOAT AND TO-le MODHOW.

WKOX-FM'i Famous a.m. Hew Tear't Sttree Dance Fartj ligger, Irigtittr, Continuous. Your Host, lernlt Silva 105.7 mc Framingriam in loijc idstons scGioiBs A Medford soldier scheduled to leave for Vietnam in January drowned early Saturday morning after the car in which he and four buddies were riding fell into Alewife Brook in Arlington. Killed was Peter C. Boyle, 21, of 17 garden the son of Mrs.

Helen R. Boyle, a widow. Police said marks on the plexiglass rear window of the late-model convertible indicated Boyle tried to batter his way out of the submerged vehicle. All of the car's other four occupants were treated for shock, but none was seriously injured. One was thrown clear of the car it plunged into the icy brmk and the other three frrambled out.

Th four were identified David Young, 20. of 46 Frost nt. and Charles KeUey, 20, of 33 Haw on both of Arlinston: Joseph Danizio 20. of Chestnut Mfrifnrd, and Joseph Chri- vat -bad? Ct. Town I'nllrd Prru Inlernsllonil HAMDEN, Ct.

Residents are getting plenty of police protection these days. There were two deputy police chiefs in office Saturday but one has to go. Outgoing Mayor John D. Dinicoia named Sgt. John Ambrogio as new deputy police chief in one of his last official duties Wednesday.

The towns' new mayor, Williams Adams, will be sworn in Jan. 1. The city Police Commission said the choice was invalid because the post is a Civil Service job and the Civil Service agency should make the decision. The town's Inidgct allows for only one deputy chief. The commission nut Friday und named Capt.

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