The Washington times., 1931-04-14
ScOrpiO Murders Franks
AS Gang Feud Rages

CnaC, II you play square WlCD
me-maybe I'll talk business.
I say this because 1 don't
blame Johnny here-or you
for the kids death. Now the
only way you can show me
you're on the square is to turn
over the guy"
Newton again gazed at the
bottle, half full of milk on the
table. Franks gaze followed
his.
Asking a Lot
The man." said Franks, lis
a man who is high UP with
US. In fact. he's one Of the
best rodmen 1 have. It's ask.
ing a lot, Colimo, to ask me to
turn him up. Do you realize
that?"
Colimo shrugged his shoul
ders.
MY brother" he answered
softly, meant just about every
thing in the world to me. Do
you realize that?"
Franks apparently Wavered.
Il don't want a general scrap
though we'd be ready for you
if it comes to that. I'd rather
do business, both of us like
regular business men. You
have something we want-terri-
tory. We have something you
want-Newton's brains for one
things-our stills, our beer and
our protection. I'd like to get
together without any more
shooting. That thing tonight
was an accident"
Accident or not-I am go,
ing to get that one killer" in
sisted Colimo. For the last
time I'm going to ask you who
he is"
Johnny Franks caught the
look in Newton's eye, the i'm
perceptible nod, the motion
toward the milk bottle.
All Is Explained
THE guy you want" he in
formed Colimo slowly, "is right
now down on Centre Pier so,
unloading a boatload of goods.
He has on a big, brown, fur
collared coat. He's our guard
on the unloading Job"
"Is that straight" sharply
demanded Colimo.
That's it," cut in Newton.
"You see, we will play with
you"
Colimo rushed from Franks
office, through the restaurant
and to the big car at the curb.
A chauffeur and two grim
faced bodyguards were waiting.
ITO Pier 50-on the river!"
he ordered.
Newton, upstairs in Johnny
Franks office, slipped at his
brandy.
Nov you see why I wanted
Scorpio sent on that pier job?"
he inquired, like a school
teacher explaining a lesson.
What I thought would happen,
did"
Franks looked at him as
though about to say something,
then turned and picked up
Scorpio's bottle of milk. Care
fully he dropped it in the waste
basket.
With a smile, the lawyer
squinted through the amber
brandy. He raised the glass
with a mock gesture.
well, here's to the late Mr..
Scorp1o."
Franks privately subsidized
pier was a small one. Tucked
between two larger wharves, it
hid from the land side behind
supposedly deserted ware
house. Nightly, launches un-
loaded their contraband cargo,
or loaded up for deliveries
nearer the city. The police
never suspected it, but Colimo's
gang had long known its loca-
ton.
In fact. there had been some
talk of "hijacking" it in Coli,
mos headquarters in the city.
On the wharf. in the dark
ness, Scorpio sat on a pile,
watching through the gloom as
the launchmen and look-outs
in the old warehouse unloaded
their freight.
Don't exactly see why Franks
wanted me to watch here"
Scorpio was thinking to him
self. 1.-TWO of his men are in
the warehouse anyhow. But
then maybe he's got a tip"
He fingered the revolver, and
curiously eyed the barrels, cans
and sacks of sand, piled on the
wharf to give it a legitimate
appearance. Meditatively he
cheWed on his cud of tobacco.
and continued counting, as the
sacks, containing bottles of
liquor, were passed upward.
Eighty, eighty-one. eighty.
two" he droned to himself.
A block away, on the street,
Colimo's big car came to a stop.
The lights were snapped out,
the engine KILLED"
A One-Man Job
Colimo. walking close to the
dark buildings, cautiously ap-
preached the old warehouse.
True to his word, he took
none of the gang. He, and he
only, was to wreak vengeance
for his hrOther,S death