The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-04
Local GOvernm ent Has Completely Broken Down in Some Centers Was the Verdict-DOwnstate Illinois Cities Were Also in the Guilt Column
BY RAYMOND CHAPTER

BY RAYMOND CHAPTER United Press Staff CorrespoE dent) Washington, March 4.-UP)- Names, figures and cases to support the belief of high officials here that local government has completely broken down in some centers were made public to-day when the Wick ersham commission sent to the sen- ate reports of it's investigations of crime, bootlegging and racketeering in Chicago, the happy hunting ground of the gangster. Downstate Illinois cities were re- | vealed also as in the clutches of similar conditions.
 This report, prepared by Guy l.. Nichols, treasury department inves- tigator, stated breakdown of the law has permitted boOtlegging and rack eteering of unbelievable proportions, with profits reaching into millions all carried on under protection of off, ficers of the law.
 The report described the "Unione Siciliano" us "a menace" whose of ficials are linked with liquor and other rackets.
 The federal government was urged in the report to concentrate on activities of heads of this so- ciety throughout the United States and keep them under surveillance" Deportation was suggested.
 The report described conditions found several months ago in Rock ford thus: Tt is said at least two
 bootleggers carry deputy sheriff's stars. Larger bootleggers are fre- quently ushered itno the sheriff's private office and apparently receive a good deal of attention"
 High federal officials are known to be concerned over conditions such as are revealed in this report.
 President Hoover several months ago called upon state and local auth critics to deal with what he termed this "hideous gangster and corrupt control of some local governments" ,"
 He regards conditions in Chicago as indicative of an alarming de- cadence of local government. He is concerned that the only effective prosecutoins are those conducted by the justice department, which re- gently has obtained convictions against some leaders of the Capone group for failure to pay income tax es on profits of their activities. De- portation proceedings are being re- sorted to when possible. The Wickersham investigations report described graft, bootlegging and racketeering in Chicago as men, acing.
 "The city has not been able to cope with the above mentioned men aces and they are now larger. if truth were known, than the city itself, apparently having increased steadily since enactment of the pro- hibition law" the report continued. Instead of prohibition in Chicago. this law has served to create untold opportunities for personal profit among the lawless element. These opportunities have been taken ad- vantage of to the fullest extent by bootleggers, political grafters and racketeers.
 During the past six years, q system of criminal exploitation founded on extortion and dominated by the gangsters, has thrived with the aid of the illicit alcohol in dustry until it's proportions are all most unbelievable.
 This system of criminal exploita- tion exacts a huge tribute. It costs the ordinary citizen money, and few, indeed, realize how or where the 'sys- tenn works.
 Of 97 county sheriffs in the state, 52 were held inefficient or lax.
 Concerning downstate centers in- vestigated some months ago, Nichols reported:
 East-St Louis-"Almost any number of gambling joints running" "Prostitution prevalent with much open solicitatoin." No open sa- looms but much bootlegging." Evi- dence showed bootleggers were or ganized 'along the lines of the mod ern corporation, using this territory as a base with connections in Springfield, Rockford, Chicago and other cities"
 Danville-"Much open prostitu- tion." Many jobiess miners are taking up bootlegging."
 Springfield-Mayor makes little effort to enforce the prohibition law" States attorney flax in pro- secution of liquor cases" 'Prosti- tuition tolerated by authorities" "Prostitutes live and hang out near the new police headquarters"