CAPONE “GETS HIS”

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1931, Page 6

CAPONE “GETS HIS”

UNDERWORLD KING SENTENCED.

A 1 Capone, lord of all the gangsters, reeled in the dock. “Eleven years’ imprisonment is the sentence,” said Judge Wilkerson.

A thrill went through the Court—but Scarface Al, the man who sent others to their doom with a smile on his lace, clenched his hands behind his back (writes the Chicago correspondent of the “Sunday Express.”)

He wore a dark purple suit, against which his lavender tie stood out lividly. His trigger finger was bandaged. He had come to court prepared to accept a sentence of three years. But eleven years. . . . “And he must pay a fine ol £10,000,” said Judge Wilkerson. Scarface Al blanched. He looked dazed—as if not comprehending the sentence. He was not charged with murder, only with evading payment ol income-tax. “Bail is refused, ■’ said the judge. Every word from the judge seemed like a sledge-hammer blow to the hopes of the gangster, chieftain. , No Jewellery. Capone, devoid of jewellery lor the first time, smiled wryly as the judge read the sentence. He was obviously relieved as his battery of lawyers crowded around the judge to launch arguments in their vain battle to have the court issue a writ postponing the execution of sentence on technical grounds.

“i may be wrong,” said Judge Wilkerson, “but the motion is denied.” Attorney Ahern demanded that the judge look up the law in In’s own library, but the court declined. Seeing the futility of Ids attorney’s efforts, Capone readied over and shooH .hands with Ahern; then the mini whose name had made hundreds of thousands quail turned to his gaolers. Crushed, and with bowed bead, Capone left the court, shorn of his jewels and his swagger. i

Notice of appeal was filed immediately by Scarface Al’s attorney, hut this will not keep him out of prison pending the action. One year of Capone’s term is to be spent in the Cook County Gaol. The othen ten will he passed in a Federal penitentiary, where earlier release on parole for good behaviour is possible.

Immediately uPteir his. sentence Capone had his finger-prints taken. The gangster held up his bandaged finger.

“There is one finger that the Government cannot print,” he announced.

Then he was taken to Cell Do of the Cook County. Gaol and there lie was permitted to see reporters.

“ft is a pretty stiff rap,” lie said, “but what can one do when everyone is prejudiced against one?” Al was asked how his present gaol compared with that in which he had previously sojourned at Philadelphia. “They are both gaols,” he replied, “but this one is cleaner.” The process-server arrived and presented the writ of lien on Capone’s possessions.

“Why don’t you fellows leave me alone?” demanded the gangster. He drew one foot hack as ‘though to kick the server; then he hesitated, and accepted the service.

He Had a Bath. Now came the rigour of the law. Capone was ordered to strip. He was given a hath. Then he was taken to his cell.

No longer was he Al Capone, King of the Underworld: he was just the Prisoner in Cell 1)5.

And so there passed from the stage the man who has admitted that be has done£4o,ooo,ooo worth of business in Chicago and neighbouring cities. It is estimated that he amassed £4.000,00) in a ten-year period of racketeering he fore he began to disgorge vast sums to secure his acquittal.

Capone offered the authorities £BOO,000 if they would drop the case.

In ten years hundreds of innocent people were murdered by the gang king’s assassins.

Abduction, blackmail and murder were the weapons used by Capone in his warfare against sdciety; £200.000 was the ransom demanded from, a bookmaker by a. racing gang before lie escaped from the clutches of the gang. Capone’s opportunity came with prohibition. He made beer at 12/- a barrel and sold it at £l2 per barrel. His profits in the beer business alone sometimes ran to £400,000 a week. The lawless work could only bp carried on with the utmost savagery and cunning. He bad in his employ 700 thugs and murderers. ? He himself was the most shot-at man in America. He was guarded by a fully armed bodyguard, and bis motorcar, which cost him £4OOO, was armoured and bhHet-proof. Shrapnel! and buckshot splattered off it like raindrops. An the supreme irony—bo was sentenced for an income-tax fraud!