The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-11-25
AST0R STREET HAS
PASSWORD, 700,S0
AS BAR GUNNER
Most Exclusive Thoroughfare in
Capital Of Crime Is Pick
eted Like an Army
BLOCKS MODERN H0LDUP
Wealthy Residents No Longer
Likely to Be ,TraiIed by
Thugs and Robbed
BLOCKS MODERN H0L0UP

% ~ o. o go
Chicago, Nov. 25.-(NEA)-Chicago
may be the worlds crime capital. as
some unkird critics have asserted
but it has one district where crime is
absolutely unknown.
This. district is q marrow strip OF
land. half a mile long. perhaps, that
flanks a quiet little avenue known as
Aston street. 1t is just a little west
of the spectacular gold. coast and
Just. a little east of a conglomeration
of cheap hotels and cheap rooming
houses, where almost anything is
rather more than likely to happen;
and, wedged in between these two
contrasting neighborhoods. Aston
street keeps the peace and makes
gangsters stay at a respectful dis
tance.
Astor street is perhaps the richest
and most exclusive street In Chicago.
It is lined by the homes OF Chicagos
most blue blooded society folk-the
Swifts, the Baurs, the Garbaldis, the
H. L. Hanleys, the Offields, and the
j. r. ThompsonS. Their mansions,
although costly, are not as flam-
boyant as those of the nearby gold
coast; but they are secure from the
forays of rowing gangsters.
Organize Own Police
Some time ago the people who live
on Aston street decided that they
wanted their .neighborhood entirely
r of crime. It had become the
eanqsters' habit, in Chicago, to spot
some rich mar downtown, trail him
home in an automobile and hold him
up as he stepped out of his a at bis
front door. Then Aston street moved
to make that sort Of thing impossible.
So they organized, at their own
expense, a private police force-a po-
lice force de luxe. This special po-
lice force watches Aston street with
sharp eyes, especially at night. 1t
doesn't miss a thing-and woe is the
crook who happens into Aston street
with felonious intentions. He does
Mt have a chance.
Here's the way 1t works. Suppose
YOU drive an automobile into Astor
street after dusk. If you stop any
where, a police a will Immediately
pull IN behind you. and several uni
formed officers will be waiting fol-
YOU as you step out. To them you
must explain who you are and what
you want.
~ Must Give Password :
Tou must not only explain; you
must give the password.
This password is changed every
month, and is known only to the
special police and to the residents o.
Aston street. It is a closely guarded
secret: and the fact that one Of the
streets prominent residents recently
forgot 1t was the thing that brough,
the existence Of the "Astor Street
Protective league" out into the oper
recently.
This man, very well to do, had beer
out Of the city on a hunting trip. HI
returned, wearing a three or foul
days growth of beard, and drove hi
car up to the curb in front Of hi
house. AS he got out Of his car. {
policeman stepped up.
Hello, officer" said the man. Nov
it happened that the password reall!
was GOOD evening. officer" The re
turning hunter had just got 1t q bi
mixed. He and the policeman in
stantly had a long argument tina
ended only when the policeman sum
moned the butler from the man
house and, through his Identification
satisfied himself about the man
right to enter the house.
sword" Is Changed Often
Incidentally, that GOOD evening
officer" password has since bee
changed several times; so if you visi
Chicago don't stroll out to Asto
street and think you have the coun
tersign, because you'll just get int
trouble.
That is the way the Aston stree
police force works. BY means OF /
the wealthy residents Of this exclusiv
street can be- satisfied that no ma
RAIDERS are coming into their neigh
borhood. They can be confident this
no holdup man will follow them HON
:. from late evening parties and 70
them at their front doors.
Their Observation-Disclosures in CHI
cago-is completely free from gar
trouble.