The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-11-13
O'DANNION May
GO TOHELL, SAYS
ROMAN CHURCH
Refuses Last Rites to
Noted GunmGn

ne purlal rites OF the cdtho-
lie church today were denied
Dean o'Bannion, the gangster
and killer who was killed Mon
day in his florist shop by three
gunner.
O'Bannion was a catholic and
tho the action of the church is
not unprecedented, it is un-
usual. Bootleggers, gangsters,
and other gentlemen of easy
virtue have had their funerals
graced by the high dignitaries
of the catholic church, in the
past.
No Holy Water For Dean
Why was the exception made in the
case of O'Bannion? Quite likely for
/ the reason that the O'Bannion murder
has excited more than ordinary inter-
est and that the dead gangster's activi-
ties in recent elections when he sup
ported Robert e. Grove, brought him
considerable enmity in democratic
circles, which are much closer to the
church than the republican side of
The capitalist machine.
The police continue to weave fine
theories about the cause of his death.
Circumstantial evidence now strongly
points to his recent political activities
in behalf of States Attorney Grove as
a strong clue. Grove is strangely silent
on the matter and the Chicago Daily
News and Tribune, that appeared to be
getting ready to open fire on the states
attorney have again drawn in their
horns.
Knew Too Much
Many people are of the opinion that
O'Bannion knew too much and that
his continued presence on this planet
as an animated chunk of protoplasm,
was not conducive to sound sleep and
quiet nerves.
News came from Denver, Colorado,
that O'Bannion made heavy purchases
of light artillery there recently. 1t is
said that he got the firearms where
the gunner of the mining companies
used to equip themselves for their wars
on the union miners
1t is said that one of O'Bannions
companions in Denver was Louis
Alttria. who carried cards bearing his
name as president Of Local No. 23,
of the Chicago Janitors' Union.
Grove Shields Criminals.
That States Attorney Grove is in
direct connection with the underworld
characters involved in the o'Bannion
shooting and is shielding favored
criminals, was charged by a we'll
known politician who was defeated by
Groves party in the recent election.
There is no doubt that States At
torney Grove has direct connections
with the underworld. not only with
the beer runners. bootleggers. and hi
jackers, but with the gamblers and
keepers of vice dens." said this promi-
nent lawyer and politician to the
DAILY WORKER.
For example, look at how the re
cent crime cases and shootings in
volving well known gun men and
murderers have been handled. 1t is
evident that some political power has
been shielding these underworld char.
acters. One of the states attorneys
investigators told me himself that he
was sent out to gather up witnesses
and facts to aid Hirschie Miller in
his case. The way the Hirschie Mil
Ter case was handled was an out
rage" the lawyer concluded. IF
private lawyer sold out his clients the
way States Attorney Grove has been
selling out the public the lawyer
would be dropped from the bar and
chased from the country"
Police are still making half-hearted
attempts to intercept the killer Of the
underworld king o'Bannion. They ad-
NIT that in all his life O'Bannion spent
I only twelve months in Jail and that
was before he committed his numer.
Gus murders and became a respected
millionaire criminal under political
protection.
Jury Meets Nov. rs.
An investigation of underworld
operations, which may food the al.
legged wholesale rum and beer run
ming activities thruout the nation
with the spotlight Of publicity. was
forecast here today when coroner's
jury, empanelled to give judgement
in the killing of Dean O'Bannion met
briefly, formally opened the inquest,
and then adjourned until Nov. 25.
The continuance was requested by
officials ito allow more time for in.
vestigation."
The only witness called was Charles
o'Bannion, father Of the millionaire
gangster, and his testimony was only
routine Identification.