The Washington times., 1931-04-17

gangSterS, and from here he
handled his forces, under New
tons aStute guidance.
Two days before election, the
opposing factions were at the
height of their battle. The re-
form element had rolled up a
strong silent vote" that the
Scorpio gang knew was there,
but could not definitely locate.
That night they held a council
of war. Peaches lowered about
Scorpio, to his intense annoy
ance, as he and his lieutenants
"Sized up" the situation.
I'VE even registered a lot of
birds who are in the cemetery"
one reported to Newton. New
ton grinned. "Old trick-but
always good" he commented.
Outside a band blared, from
a truck decorated with blatant
Misoski banners. Below, in the
steak house, sounds of revelry
arose.
Just what do you think our
chances are" Scorpio demanded
OF Newton, as reports from the
different workers were digested.
Big Odds At Stake
mot bad" replied Newton.
you have tremendous odds
against you, of course. The
business men and the news
papers are supporting the oppo-
Sition, even though we have
the business men afraid to
make too much noise. There's
that silent vote I talked about
you can't really gauge or
trace it. But we have more
money and know mob psychology
better than they do. Our hope
lies with the masses"
Scorpio pondered on this. He
didn't exactly understand.
Il think I can swing the
Stockyards gang, anyhow" he
said. I'll catch them coming
out of the yards tomorrow
we'll have truckload Of pres
ents-candy and booze, and
such like, at every gate-free
smokes, and I'll make a speech
you got to write 1t Of course"
Good" rejoined Newton. IF
We can swing the South End
and the stockyards we can
probably win out"
In another office, in the big
city, another meeting was be-
ing held. The six grave faced
business men were meeting in
their secret office.
you mustn't underestimate
the Importance of that election
in Centro." Markham was warn
ing the group. IF the Scorpio
gang elects it's ticket, that
means it has a perfect strong
hold-even to police protection
from which to invade the
city. And the gangs growing
so big and powerful that it's
sure 10 DC LIE result.
Even now in the underworld,
my reporters tell me, Scorpio
is considered bigger man than
Colimo, even though he hasn't
really invaVed us yet"
Donlan nodded.
Either Scorpio and Colimo
will get together-or there's 60
ing to be one hell of a big gang
war after that election" he
stated. And we'll have to get
some kind of action for our
own protection. You KNOWN
San Francisco they used to- form
vigilance committees of citizens
to clean out nests of crooks.
II have 200 lieutenants out
now, organizing. I don't like
to admit the police may fall
down-but I'm playing safe.
And another thing-the gang
sters have some sort of wind
about us-I hear references to
The Secret Six here and there.
I'm trying to trace that down
now"
A Grand Success
Scorpio's campaign In the
StockyardS was a grand sue
cess. His speech was a perora-
tion-he told them he'd never
forgotten his old palS-how
Honest Nick from the West
would mean new prosperity for
his buddies-and every stock
yards worker had gin for him.
self, candy for the "misSuS"-
and full Instructions how to
vote.
Election day saw several hun
dred taXis and private autos,
commandeered by the Scorpio
gang, hauling his voters to the
polls. The reform element
looked grave.
That night, in Scorpio'S head
quarters, the gang leaders and
their candidate waited anx-
iously. From the radio droned
the returns. The reform ticket