New-York tribune., 1915-01-10
Bv KATE MASTERSoN.

~HE Montagues and Capulets Of 1915 SIT
in their comfortable studies and sug
eest the things which they wish done
TO their foes. instead of going forth
with swords in hand 70 meet them personally
and get their names down on police blotters,
The old regime Of crininalty developed
bow who lodged t-uant officers into corner
rowdy, an uuoouth unolean looking youth
who talked through the side Of his mouth, ex-
perforated and swore.
The oldtime murderer was sinking evil
looking tough. whose appearance was REQ
flag Of warning. To-day we have the gangstef
and the eunrnan. who do work for pay on or
der and get away from the scene OF Their
crimes without leaving traces Other men
conceive the act and order IT, and it finally
reaches the hands OF the gunner and gang
e.ers. who are the operators and who are
chosen because they are under twenty-one
which relieves them Of the extreme penalties
OF the law.
Crimes are no longer done in the open, but
are intrioately planned, involving large num-
her Of persons in their commission, which ADDS
certain safety TO the deed The oldume
tough has large disappeared from the city
streets. His place has been taken by young
man who makes a good appearance never
shows with criminal crowds and who cher
;sbes the ambition to become one OF the nc
,;o,si masters Of orime-a WallngtoTd, -
possible. who carries through big deals and
steals with a laugh.
SOMETIMES He BREAKS INTO RE
spEcrABu1TY THROUGH MARRIAGE.
So be makes good front, and if his appear
sres warrants It's he trims his mustaohe IKE
IN. Kaiser and wears foreign clothes, s wrist
watch and q crooked cane over his arm. lie
treouents the restaurants and tea rooms "',eIe
afternoon dancing is encouraged and oi'e"
,sngos and trots his way TO a good marriage
which he knows Is a primrose way 20 respeota-
bility.
This is the up-to-date gangster' who mas
often reached this stage through some success
ir,l practice as a gunman.' His good clothes
.-d his manner with the tangomad women
wins hin, chances 10 operate in the large no
tel where important game is often stalkeo
and which. it is becoming known are sTnaH
cities in themselves, with their aristocrauc
quarters. their more progressive sections ana
,beir prorenades. alleys and exclusive com
,,,,,rities all of which offer opportunity for
the ADVENTURE.
So the hotel detectives learn 70 keep an eye
ON this particular man with the varsity get-up'
l-o,,ine that under the baby stare and the
vistaria neoktie there may lurk one OF the
,o,,rg men who have learned 70 communicate
with each other across a corridor, talking IN
vertriloouial way without moving the lips.
Often these debonair young men have nat
rral charm and courtesy, which suggest that
,bev drift from established fresdes to this
criminal clerkship. This picturesque touch
helms them 10 get influence with women, who
in turn are used to lure victims into plush
rned trans. where crimes are committed that
are exactly similar to those done in the bad
sections Of the city. except that motor wagons
and brouqbar7s are used instead Of express
trucks and orays.
So we continue % read Of mysterious sui
cides. odd deaths, unexpiainable accidents
which cause surmise at the clubs, but these
occurrences pass by and the dotted lines in
the morning papers keep on pointing out the
exact spot where the body was found without
finding who committed the crime or how ne
got away with It,
This makes the rounding up Of gang mur-
derers an extremely difficult task The gangs
whose names are so well known are frequently
ineffective amateurs. who give dances IN sa-
loon halls. They are not the slick young men