Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14
CAPoNE BOWS TO U. S.
Campaign eliminated by Income Tax
and Dry Charges

and Dry Charges.
BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June ia perfectly
planned and executed three-year attack
by the Federal Government has forced
AlphonSe Capone from the throne of
gangdom to the brink of oblivion.
Early in the Summer of 1928 the
offensive against the scar-facer over
lord of the underworld was launched
by United States District Attorney
George E. @. johnson.
Link by link the chain Of evidence
was forged. Every obstacle became a
stepping stone to success. Every raid
strengthened the chain.
Finally Reached.
Then, last Summer, the Government
finally got to" Capone. He was sem
fenced to serve six months for con-
tempt OF court in delaying a Federal
grand jury appearance A decision on
the appeal is expected next month.
Last week, the Government climaxed
its income tax evasion campaign against
gangland by indicting Capone for fall
ure to pay S2l5. $50 taxes on a six-year
income of $l,o38,645.
Yesterday the mountain top was
reached. The same Federal grand jury
that lodged the income tax charge in
dicted the gangster for the offense that
has brought him millions of dollars,
conspiracy to violate the prohibition
law. With him, SO henchmen were
also indicted on 5000 charges of violat-
ing that statute.
Next Tuesday, Capone will be ar
raigned on both the income tax and
liquor violations and at that time, Dis
trict Attorney johnson will decide what
charge will be tried first.
And today, for the first time, the
strategy that handcuffed Capone to the
courts can be told.
III June, 1928, johnson decided it was
time for the Government to aid in the
get-rid-of-gangsters campaign.
Capone Is Phantom.
From the outset, the big shot" was
the quarry. But Capone was something
Of a phantom, here today, somewhere
else tomorrow. Rumors about him were
legion; actual facts we're few. Heavily
guarded, he kept out of legal tolls ex-
cept when he voluntarily appeared in
court to furnish bonds.
Thus johnson planned to convict
Capone's chieftains first, with the
knowledge in mind that evidence against
these would be tangible to Capone. Two
years were spent in investigating beer
oAAo ACCCLpJoJ VIC ICSOl
records, bank deposits and handbook
payoffs. Then came the attack.
Frank Nitti, the enforcer," Capone' S
treasurer, is serving an 18-month term
in Leavenworth for income tax violation.
Ralph Capone, boss of the Cicero
baliwick, has appealed three-year SEN
tence for the same charge. Jack
Greasy thumb" Guzik, Capone BUSH
ness manager. has appealed a flve-year
sentence, same charge. Sam Guzik, slo.
machine car, is serving year and a
day at Leavenworth, same charge.
"All,s Fair" Is Cry.
"All's fair in war;" was the. Govern
ment cry, and any charge was used to
break through the wall around Capone.
The Mann act was used to haul MA
chine Gun Jack" McGurn, expert trig-
ger man, into court. Deportation was
the weapon used against Tony "Mops"
Volpe, Capone's personal bodyguard.
His return journey to Italy awaits only
an appeal.
Bits of evidence in all these at
tackS were forged into the case against
"Scarface Az Every plan Of attack
johnson has been criticized for de-
laying the contempt charges against
Capone. Even here there was method
A decision on the appeal is expected
next month. Johnson's hope Is that the
sentence will be sustained and thus his
desire to have Capone already in Jail
during either the liquor law or income
tax trials will be realized,
Dozens Of Government agents have
conducted raids, braved death and re-
fused brides amounting at times to as
high as $4,000 to carry out Johnson's
attack.
AS to the liquor violation and income
tax trials, johnson was silent.
AN indictment is a liability" the
district attorney said at becomes an
asset only when liquidated with a con-
viction. I never discuss my cases"