The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-05-05
BY HARRY FERGUSON
United Press STAFF Corresnondent


CATSKILL, N. Y, May 5. 49, The
most varied assortment of men ever
assembled in the boundaries of one
county in this state are directing
the war against racketeers who
have deserted the clamor of city
sidewalks for the white roads that
curve into the hills
Not all Of them have the same
Immediate goal, in fact, they agree
on only one item That the profit
able tourist trade of the Catskills
shall not be disturbed by allowing
the region to achieve a reputation
for lawlessness.
Attorney General John j. Ben
nett Jr, who took charge of the in
vestigation at orders of Governor
Franklin d. Roosevelt, proposes:
Get an indictment against Jack
Diamond, charging violation of the
JBauines law, convict him and send
him to prison for life as a fourth
offender"
Depends on Beer Traffic
State troopers, subordinate to
Bennett, but with definite ideas on
means of combating gangsters, say:
Break up the beer traffic and no
gang can survive. Beer is the way
Diamonds men make their money,
and without money any gang is
powerless."
Frank H. Cooke, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, has faith in
the power of public opinion and is
sponsor of a resolution stating:
THE citizens of this community
pledge their utmost cooperation in
keeping gangsters out of Catskill
and vicinity"
Catskill's two policemen say: We
are keeping our noses out OF this,
unless we are needed" Sheriff
Harold Every, Yale graduate and
father of an Olympic fencing
champion, also is waiting the word
that he is needed.
Farmers UnorganiZed
There remain only the farmers,
descendants of men who lifted thelr
rnuskets from the racks and went
forth to battle the British at Sara
toga. AS yet, they are dlSor-
ganized. bewildered group. Diamond
to them is a dangerous character, a
man whose career is APPLY expressed
NV the name Diamond-hard, gilt
tering and costly.
what can we do?" asked one OF
them. who lives on the SaugertleS
road Diamond had things or
ganized up at AGRA and could about
RIM the county as he saw flt. All
we could do was pass resolutions.
Now that Mr.. Bennett and the
TROOPERS have stepped IN, they
ought to be able to do something.
If they can't, well, later will be time
enough to talk about what we are
going to do. Don't publish my
name"
; bennett. in the opinion OF the
farmers. is the man who will drive
Diamonds gang out of the county,
If it is done. Young, alert ana
enthusiastic, he moves quickly
about the county, gathering intor-
.I0aIlOn ana plNoCieAAA5 ~
figure in his immaculate clothing
contrasted to the rough overalls OF
the farmers.
witness Under Guard
The encouragement puts espe-
cial faith in the testimony that
Grover Parks will give if Diamond
lives and is brought to trial. Parks
is the man who accused the gang
ster of torturing him in a garage at
AGRA because he was delivering a
shipment of hard cider.
SO important does the attorney
consider Parks to the states case,
that two troopers are on constant
guard at the farmers house.
What will happen if Benefits case
should fall through is, of course,
coniectural. In the background
there remains the possibility of an
uprising of vigilantes, with the
crash of rural rifles ringing through
the hills again. For, as the
SaugertieS farmer. said:
1T amt that we're afraid of these
Diamond fellows. It's just that We