The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-12
By PAUL HARRISON NEA ScrXiGc Writer

New York-A tin toy auto GuId- ed scowling child, and pushed by second, slid down a crowded sect in the Little Sicily of Manhattan's upper east side. It was a one-way street, and the car kept close to the left curb, where a number of children pretended to bze obIivious of it's approach. Sud- ( niy, from the "gangsters" came a shouted bang" and a series of stacatto "tat-a-tat-tats." Some of the children fell to the sidewalk. Others. screaming, dashed to pick them up.
 This was only "Littlest Italy" At play. It was just a game. Only two days before, these same boys and girls had been close to the stark realism of the most ruthless act ever committed In the history of New York's ganglnnd. Five of their playmates ip that same over populated block on East 107fh street had been moved down by the rifles and shotguns of gunm"n who sought the death of an enemy.
 Thcy Had Seen.
 To now they were reenacting that tragedy-Derformin 1t with a finesse and attention tO detail that left little doubt in the mind of any chance onlooker that some of these children actually had watched the killing Of one of their fellows and the wounding of four others.
 Only few doors down the streG at No. 2l0, cheap little white wreath. wiltcd in the blazing sun, announced the presence or death. Scarcely q foot from it, fiecked into the brick wall of the apartment house, was another grira symbol of the slaughter--a group of seven bullet marks. From within. behind closed shutters. came the fails of grief-stricken mother. Mrs John Vengallls c. year-oId Michael there lay dead.
 ChiIdrcn-and Death.
 The children of the neighb"r- hood had come there time after time to join the line that constant ly flied by the little casket. They | were silent, but not particularly | awed by the presence Of dea.h. | They were respectful as they list ened to Mrs Vengalli pray for her Michael. They crossed themselves dutifully and even added their | prayers that another son. Salva- tore, might recover from his crii- cal wounds
 But this was exciting to them; | this was better than the movies. As a matter of fact, all the movie men were here--doZens of them, with their cameras and micrO- phones. Group after group hdd posed during the tragic aftermath <f .L, h. ,unpinD | ing mo. hers. tho alcrt-lookin po- liceman who had rushed in. empty handed the children themselves. looking sad and distraught.
 Significant Difference.
 But they tired of posing by the pock- marked walls Of No. 2l6, of gazing sadly at the blood stained steps Of 20H, of shaking their heads solemnly at curious detectives and reporters. So they got q fninia- ture tin automobile and, time af- ter time, re-enactcd the raid of the terrOr.sts.
 Their play. however, ended dif- ferently than had the real attack. Beach time the death car" pass ed, and the screams of wounded were heard, some of the larger boys always wrought swift ven geance on the covering" gunmen' by sitting their thrOats.
 There was significance In this act. Questioning of scores of per sons milling in the street had brought sullen silence. cvasions, lies.
 The police ask questions" says Little Italy, about the men who shot the little ones. They get no answers Even if the word were passed to the police. and the men wer" arrested, Wb0 would go to court to say they were the right men?
 No. our way is different The men will pay. But not tp the po- lice"
 Sot a Bad Nci2hborhOod.
 The neIghborhOod is not a sdualid one. Four and five story apa rtments line the street, an1 trim, green window boxes are vis- ible at every tier. II k a middle class Sictlian colony that lives