Evening star., 1951-07-21

Scarface AL Capone, called king
investigators. Charles Fischetti
For four years, Torrio enjoyed a
bloody reign in Chicago, waxing
high on the profits Of prostitution
gambling, beer and booze. But
after Torrio was the victim Of an
ambush which almost cost his
life, he lost his nerve and alb
dictated in favor of Capone.
With Greasy Thumb Guzik as
his .paymaster and business ad-
wiser. and such stalwarts as Frank
Nitti, Paul (The Waiter) Ricca,
Louis Uittle New York; Cam
Ipagna and the Fischetti brothers
as his lieutenants, Capone was
able to rule effectively.
The infamous st. Valentines
day massacre of February IA. 1929.
was an example of how Capone
dealt with opposition. In 1881.
however, Capone was cut down by
Uncle Sam on an income-tax eva
sion charge and was sent to prison.
Frank Nitti succeeded him. but
i'm 1943, facing prosecution on an
Iextortion charge, Nitti was found
dead under circumstances that
indicated he had committed sui
eide. Since then, the mob-known
to this day as the Capone syndi-
lcate-has been run pretty much
Iby a corporation" in which GU
Xix, Ricca and Accardo WELD great
influence.
Undert0ne Of Violence.
Although the Capone and other
mobs, in the process of getting
rich on the wire service. policy
wheels" and similar "quiet" rack
Iets, have soft-pedaled bloodshed,
the undertone of violence still is
there A brutal example was the
murder in September. 1950-still
Iunsolved-of former Police Lieut..
Drury before he could appear as
a witness before our committee.
A wave of suspensions and res
! ignations by higher-ups in the po-
lice department followed our
investigation of great wealth ac-
formulated by a number Of Chicago
police captains.
The most highly publicized case
was that of Capt. Daniel A. Gill
bert, referred to by Chicago news
papers as 9Th richest cop in the
world" Gilbert was serving as
chief investigator for the state
attorneys Office Of Cook County.
and also was the Democratic can
didate for sheriff.
Capt. Gilbert, well dressed,
breezy figure, told us he esti-
mated his net worth was approx
mately $3.50, 900. and that divi-
dends on stocks and bonds he cur
rently held were bringing him
about $4,000 a year.
! remarked to him, People
don't understand how you get
hold of all that money" Where
upon the captain began explain
ing to us all the details of his
badge-to-riches story. There was
a little honest gambling" on the
side. but mostly it was done
Through investments in stocks and
bonds.
Gambler at Heart"
His income tax returns also
showed annual winnings on wa
gers. Il bet on the football games
and I bet on prize fights" Capt.
Gilbert said, 'but mostly it would
Iall be lections." I asked him:
@. You just like to bet?
A. I have been gambler at
heart"
It was about two weeks after
this that the voters Of Cook Coun-
ty registered their disapproval Of
Capt. Gilbert by defeating him
at the polls.
In Chicago. too. we gathered
evidence of a disturbing phenom-
enon that we found repeated in
other large cities: the active par
|ticipation in gang affairs by a.
certain element Of lawyers. ac-I
countants and tax consultants.
One fascinating story into which
the committee delved was the net
of strange circumstances sur
rounding the parole from the Fed
eral penitentiary at Leavenworth
of three Capone syndicate gang
sters, Paul Ricca. Louis Campagna
and Charles Cherry Nose) Gloe.
alias Joye.
The three, along with 4 pack Of