UGLY CRIME.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11168, 29 March 1930, Page 9

UGLY CRIME.

BLACKMAIL IN LONDON MEN (AND.WOMEN PARASITES. Blackmail is the ugliest and most profitable of crimes. In the underworld blackmail is known as “black”, and there are many men and Avomen living in luxury in the West End of Lou cion to-day who are knoAvn as experts in “black”, writes James Dunn in the Daily Mail. The popular idea is that people with a past they desire to forget are the chief victims of blackmailers. That is not so. Men and Avomen with a past usually knoAV lioav to look after it themselves and, except in rare cases, the professional blackmailer is easily beaten by the reformed crook.

Blackmailers find their gold mines not being saints, are afraid that sins "may find them out. Generally 'they have venal sins common to human nature, lapses from the social code that mean nothing in a police court, but everything in a superb.

In these cases the family lawyer should be made the father confessor, and the b'ackinailers Avill merely Avaste tlie postage of their, threatening letters. But there is j». form of blackmail against Avliich none of us is protected. It may happen to you or to me any day. Blackmailers are essentially opportunists, and a perfectly inrtocent man or Avoman may be

put into a compromising situation they cannot possibly explain away. In blackmailing, the female of the species is more dangerous than the male. Re mem her itliat ia Avoman blackmailer loses her job immediately she is convicted, but she is lardy convicted. The victim pays, and keeps silent. A Avoman Avith a straight record can make allegations against a man that he can never successfully controA'ert. Personally, I Avould sooner enter a den of lions than travel alone Avith a woman in a railway carriage. Often it is the alternative of pulling the cord or paying through the nose. And the man generally pays. Women on pleasure trips to London should beware of the agreeable stranger. A mild flirtation may mean a lifetime of suffering. Parasites disguised as men are ever on the look-out for romantic middle-aged women, Avho, guilty only _of a slight discretion, Avill pay and pay sooner than see tlio altar of her home brought down in ruins. This sort of blackmail goes on extensively. The police know the balc-k----mailers, but they cannot get the evidence.

Blackmailers find their most profitable victims in the less reputable night clubs, where every overcoat is systematically searched for lot ters. "Waiters provide the intelligence department of blackmailers. There - are good and honest waiters who take a pride in their calling, but there are many to whom scanday spells money; watchers, whisperers, and eavesdroppers, they are always seeking evil that good for themselves may come of it. Servants and waiters compose t lie “black army” that preys on society.

Despite heavy penalties, blackmail is increasing. The more conventions are defied, the more the blackmailer flourishes. Blackmail is not confined to the well-to-do. The poor prey on the poor. No sooner does an ex-convict, decide to go straight alter obtaining a good job than some old hag searches him out and demands a percentage of bis wages on tho threat of revealing the offender’s past to Ids employer. I know of scores of cases where an old crook, eager to reform, has been driven back into crime by' persistent blackmail from fellow convicts.

Blackmailers work on the theory that everybody has something in their lives that be or she wishes to conceal. Said a wise detective to me:

The only way to deal with blackmailers is to show a bold front. When the “husband” of the pretty lady who has inveigled you into a compromising situation appears on. the scene according to plan hit him on the jaw and invite a prosecution for assault. If the charming stranger with whom you have had a romantic . flirtation asks for a “loan" and backs it up with; a threat id writing to your husband plant yom. purse upon: him and then telephone for the police.

. CALL THE ’’BLUFF” ' They know what comes to • them if convictocj, ahd'onco you call their “bluff” they, throw •’ in -their cards. . Blackmailers, ‘ like the confidence' trickster,; know human; nature and ‘they know just'how'far. to

go- v v ' , . , Suppose an extreme _cn.se in: which a blackmailer has knowledge of a serious. crime by h’is -‘victim. ’ls lie going io r&k, a of _sc\eu years’ penal servitude .merely, to get hjs victim .arrested'?^Unless". it is* a matter of private ' vengeance,’ the ■blackmailer wilt value ’-Ins' freedom bevond bis spoils. . , .- - - • ' . Host, eases- of. blackmail bas-

ed nob on felonies, hut ou indiscretions, and if instead of paying demands that never cease the victim came to us there would be a swift' end to blackmail. ; Blackmailers aro at work in every West End hotel, cafe, and night club,. waiting • like- spiders--in: their webs for victims. Large sums . are paid for information about prospective “clients” and it is consoling to know that detectives aro on the watch for blackmailers'.

• But, alas, few blackmailers are ever brought to Court, ‘