The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-19

achinists, and others were
ment houses. He always timed
himself. robbing the apartments
of their valuables while the oc.
cupants were at meals or out
shopping or visiting. HHe also
worked with a woman maid, who
perfume time when to operate.
Fences" Make Crokos.
us fellows would not steal,
many Of US would not be crooks
and on our way to spend part of
our life in q prison were It not for
tho fences that flourish" John
son said. "Of course these crooked
dealers encourage US 10 steal and
sell them the valuables we get.
We thieves get but little for our
trouble. I'll give you an instance
Of what We get for the chances
taken. stole a watch. 1t was
valued at probably $3.50, but It
had an initial on 1t. was afraid
to carry It around for fear l would
get picked up for probably some
minor offense. Should the watch
DO found on me, II would be q
sure give away. OF course. tho
owner would have reported the
theft, giving a. description, and,
Of course, the initials. Then the
coppers would investigate me II
they found I had q valuable watch
which did not bear my initials.
The result would be they would
find II was part Of the loot report
ID stolen With part Of tho goods
found on me It would naturally
b easy for the dicks to jug mo
and later pin the theft on your
uncle 30. takes this watch
to . fence Whatcha think he
gave me for TT Ten dollars, yes,
ten buolA Wen. I waS glad to
got rid Of it
johnson brasscd about his
methods. He was not to be out
done By ths others Each wanted
to and did tan how they outwitted
he police and the public. People
are too careless with their valua-
basA was ne way most Of the
csnvicts told II.
Another apartment house thief
in the group Of prisoners was
Oscar Robb Slack. thirty-four years
Old. He was known - the gimlet
thisf, and he, too. made many
rich hauls Of diamonds and jewelry
before he was picked up by Head
quarters Detective King.
Stacks method of entering an
apartment was to first ring the
ball II he received no response
he would take from his pocket
. Gimlet and bore q hole around
tho lock, and. this done, push back
tho plunger and walk in the apart
ment Armed and ready for any
emergency, he would coolly select
whatever valuables he found lying
about or hidden in the drawers
Of tho bureau or chiffonier or
dressing table and as quietly walk
ort Of the apartment. He gener-
ally worked with a second thief,
who had an automobile, engine
running. outside the apartment
house ready to drive off with
Slack and the loot.
Should he be caught operat-
ins7'
Well, in such event ne would
apologize profusely, declaring he
made q mistake-that he was look
ing for someone, or that he was
a solicitor for some magazine, and,
finding the door open. walked In.
And, before the person discovering
iihh WOuio tcSoNci hio VI ticE oQui-
librium. Slack would be gone.
No. Slack was not caught in the
act Of robbing an apartment. Fol-
lowing a series Of gimfet Jobs, a
description of man who was
seen in the apartment house was
given. They all Tailed. The de.
scription was given to all detec-
tives, and It fell to Detective King
to accidentally run across Slack,
who was brought to police head.
quarters and questioned for sew
eral days. He finally broke down
and confessed TO King, Walsh,
Scrivsner and Kelly that he was