TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS A HEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 344, 3 May 1928, Page 13

TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS A HEAD

CHICAGO’S PRICE LIST HIGH COST OF EXPLOSIVES The Chicago police announce that they have found headquarters where murder is conducted as a trade, with a regular scale of prices. When I was in Chicago recently, writes the New York correspondent of the London “Daily News," I was told of the existence of this ghastly system, by which a murder could be j “arranged" for money, the price ; starting at £5, and the amount depending only on the prominence of the victim. It was then impossible to believe this, in view of a police denial, but the police themselves are nowalarmed by the bombing of homes of the political associates of “Big Bill” Thompson, and arrested during the week-end, 40 men, including those occupying the “clearing house” of the “murder syndicate.” The police, in fact, declare that on receipt of a fee the “syndicate” supplied bombs and undertook to “place” them. Prices ranged from £5, or 25 dollars, for a small bomb meant to terrorise shopkeepers who refuse blackmail demands, to £IOO for big nitro-glycerine bombs intended to destroy life. It is asserted by the police that the heads of this “bomb trust” will soon be discovered. Ten days ago “Big Bill” announced that Chicago had entered on a “tranquil era,” but since then murders and bombings have broken out with renewed fury, and it appears that a tacit understanding between the ! police and criminals has broken down. Something like this was foretold when the “King of the Underworld.” A 1 Capone, was driven out of the city. After exploding a bomb a few days ago at the entrance to the city detective headquarters, criminals threatened to “bomb” Mr. Thompson In his apartment at the Sherman Hotel, and his wife in a flat in an exclusive apartment house. Other people living in the same building as Mrs. Thompson were warned by telephone by men and women recently, and fled. Mrs. Thompson, however, defied the bandits. She and the Mayor live apart, both surrounded by armed guards. An explanation ottered to me by one in close touch with the Chicago situation is that the syndicates of | criminals are no longer protected by i the police, but that individuals, sharing profits equally with officers, are | allowed to continue “gambling” in other offences.

The motive for the attacks on politicians is said to be revenge by those excluded from such arrangements.

A meeting of business men and lawyers to discuss the situation appears to have decided that it would be hopeless to work for reform. Those who know what the position is say that the only hope is the reorganisation of the crime world to keep the outrages within limits. Meanwhile, to add to “Big Bill's” troubles, five Polish societies are joining in a demand that ihe “patriotic” pamphlet published as an offset