Capone in Florida

Alphonse ("Scarface") Capone, No. 1 gangster of the U. S. (TIME, March 24), last week entered Florida by train from Chicago, journeyed on to Miami where he took up his residence at his Palm Island estate. Many a good Miamian was dismayed. The Miami Daily News, in front-page editorials by Editor-Owner James M. Cox, 1920 Democratic presidential nominee, had been vigorously campaigning against Capone as a menace to the community's good name. Brother Albert Capone had been arrested for vagrancy. State authorities, however, could not touch Brother Alphonse because, smart, he had secured a Federal injunction for protection.

Declared Underworldling Capone: "I'm here for the rest which I think I deserve. All I want is a fair break. I've done nothing in violation of the law in Miami and will not. All I wish is to be left alone to enjoy my home here."

Capone left Chicago just before a lone gangster in his south side district shot to death-three rival gunsters in a-saloon. Capone also left these rumors behind him: 1). His gang and that of George ("Bugs") Moran, his enemy, had merged for friendly and efficient operation of their common rackets; 2) He had gone into the political patronage racket at City Hall in a big way; 3) He had extended his "protective influence" to the building trades and plumbing unions. Newsmen at police headquarters were advised to "lay off Al," on the theory that so much publicity on Capone's comings and goings hampered the police in their efforts to keep him "out of mischief."

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