IT HAPPENED IN DENVER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

IT HAPPENED IN DENVER

A District Attorney's Battle with Criminals

A STOR Y of crime and detection is always appreciated if it is well constructed and the stnndnrd of writing is high. Much more to be sought then, is one which possesses these attractions and at the same time, deals with actual happenings. Such a book has been written out of his own experiences as District Attorney of Denver, Colorado, by Mr. Philip S. Van Cise. " Fighting tho Underworld " holds one's interest as a battle of wits between tho prosecuting District Attorney on the one hand and the leader of the city's underworld on the other In addition, it has a further appeal—the "inside" information given regarding the social conditions in the United States. Hero we have a Stato Official using every endeavour —with tho help of assistants, who arc not all above suspicion— to rid society of a gang of confidence tricksters. He is up against not only tho wiles and cunning of tho criminals themselves, but also the assistance given them by high officials of the Stato, members of the police force, well-to-do citizens, and even jurymen.

Tho attack is developed in a masterly manner. The introduction of a dictaphone into the offices of the leader of the gang, and its maintenance there in spite of a warning given of the tapping of his telephone communications, plays a leading part in ascertaining who the criminals are and their movements. The strategy used by the I district Attorney caif he likened to tho activities of our own secret service 111011 during the war. That mayors and judges can bo bribed—that the polico accept regular toll for winking at offences of all kinds and indeed supply •information to help criminals—that lawyers stoop to graft —that Church members accept hi«j;h rentals for use of their premises knowing full well tho purposes for which they are being used —all these things are made abundantly clear as common practice.

Yot with such overwhelming opposition arraigned against liiin the District Attorney is ablo to break up the gang of soino sixty members, and successfully prosecute to conviction about 20 of the criminals. And ho does tnis finally with tho assistance of whom?—■ a decent, honest working man on tho jury who refused either to bo bribed or intimidated.

" Fighting the Underworld " is full of substance: there is not a dull moment in it. In addition to its intense interest it is instructive as well. " Fighting tho Underworld," by Philip S. Van Cisc. (Eyro and Spottluwoodo.)