AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 44

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

NEW YORK GANGSTERS. NEW YORK, August 24. Despite exceptional police vigilance, robbery under arms and gang warfare were continued unabated over the weekend. One bandit was killed and a detective wounded in a pitched battle between the police and a band of robbers who were caught rifling a shop. Three gangsters were taken by their confederates to an unfrequented part of the waterfront. They were lined against a wall and shot down, resulting in the death of one and the serious wounding of two others. Another death was added to the total of Friday’s battle. Over 60 innocent bystanders have been shot down by gangsters’ bullets in 18 months. Six havedied.

CHICAGO GANGSTERS. CHICAGO, August 26. Al Capone is again in hot water, tlie State - Attorney having ordered his arrest in connection witli the kidnapping for ransom of Mr John Lynch, part owner of a general news bureau here. When Lynch disappeared several days ago his friends appealed to Capone to use his influence with the kidnappears for his release. Capone expressed his willingness to do all in his power, saying: “ A kidnapper is no better than a rat, and I do not approve of his racket because it makes the kidnapped man’s wife and kiddies worry so much. 1 shall be glad to help Chicago in this emergency if I can.” To-night when Capone was ostensibly negotiating with the kidnappers, who are demanding 50,000 dollars, a police squad descended on the Chicago hotel where Capone maintains his headquarters in an expensive suite, but Capone was out. WORKLESS IN NEW YORK. NEW YORK, August 28. Asserting the necessity for the most drastic comprehensive relief programme in the history of the New York State, the Governor has requested the legislature to appropriate 20,000,000 dollars for the distressed unemployed by increasing the personal income tax payments by 50 per cent. Tlie governor fears great suffering next winter among the workless.