Variety (May 1929)

Wednesday. May 15, 1929 TIME S SQ U A R E VARIETY 91 Stories by Jack Conway Froni 1920, onward, Jack Conway wrote a series of stories appearing In Variety.^ Mostly tlie storibs dealt with baseball and brize fiahts. From IVeu, onwarn, dacK wvnmuy wrow a oeriss or siaries appearing n Variety^ Mostly the storjbs .dealt with baseball and prize fights, players and pugs. This series is reprinted weekly. Story below-appeared In Variety, December 10,1920. SET-UPS AND POISON HOOCH FOR TOMATO" But Con Yearns for the Sunlit Diamond S. STEIN SUICIDES Ifith St. Jeweler Takes Gas in Of- fice—Despondent CON UUca, March 11. - Pear Chick: I suppose all the ball gamers are packln* their shoes and prayer bo^ks and hiking for the bushes and other orcha.rds to fool the public for another great and glo- rious season. I haven't'be- gun to get my apple chasers together, .but '.expect tp get word any day now to put the pinochle deck and the apples -into the old grip and take it on the lam. In the mean- time "Tomato" and m» are picktn* up some small change knockln' over these saps and workln' the act. Cuthbert Is gettln' BO stuck on smearln' up his pan with grease paint that he will probably be ruined for the sun filled Job that I have layed out for him. . If he hits within fifty points of the number of bows he has.,stole with this act he will lead the league with daylight between him and the second best guy. "Tomato" has a yen to play ball and Isn't half bad. He played a lot ai a kid and might be able to hold down a Job after a year on the bench with me. At any rate It's a good way for him to keep out of trouble this summer and keep In condition. Cuthbert's wife has layed oft him since I promised to smack- her hubby In the kisser If she butted In any more, and everything Is lovely. There's more bootleggers and hide- aways In this burg than their arc actors in Wolpln's. The other night I Joined out some of the boys on the bill and one guy said ho knew, a spot. We blasted In and the prop, whispered thalt he had some real honest-to-goodneas Scotch. We called for a fresh bot- tle, j?lth the oyyier relatln' the his- tory" of the hooch, how It come in from Canada and was worth It's weight In German marks, etc. Well, after we come to the mob started to argue, one clalmln' we were gassed, etc. Someone had a bright Idea. This was supposed to " be White Horse, with the picture ol th$ horse on the bottle. One of the gang drew a toll of the nag on the bottle. The next night we went back for more punishment. We had finished the quart the night pre vious. The prop, met us with his usual chatter, and We called for Scotch. Sure enough, out come the brand new bottle, with the horse eportln' a beautiful flowin' UII. Well, the just tore the Joint apart. This bird had been reflllln' bottles and gettln' away with It. He also got a kick back from all the local croakers who were called In to administer the last rights to the oustomers. That's one thing about these fenced-in burgs — they cer- tainly know how to keep all the Jack in the family. "Tomato" Is tralnln' and keepin' In shape, for we are gettln' offers from all these up-state clubs. .1 may Jumpi down to Troy with him soon, for they have a-Jocal kid there named "Stockings" Conroy who they think can lick Leonard. He Is named aftisr a. heavyweight who once fought FItzslmmons. They, say that before the flight FItz wos asked by "Stockings" If they couldn't start a little early, asithe latter wanted to get back to Troy that night. Fltz said all' right, and after they got In ~iTie Hng'^tz kepra8kln'-''StDT:klngs'^ what time his train left. Finally "Stockings" said, "In about an hour." Fltz said: "Well, you Just have time to dress and make It," and he biffed "Stockings" on the Jaw, knockln' him dead. "Stock- ings" made the train under wraps. Shoot me a sheet an scratch and remember me to all the gang that are out. Tour old fryin' pan. Leaving a note about the futility of life, the ease of Inhaling gas and a few lines of poetry dealing with death was found penned alongside of the body of Solomon Stein, 36, theatrical Jeweler, 74 West 46th street. Stein had been dead some hours. Stein lived with his wife and 10- year-old son at 1909 Quentln road, Brooklyn. He arrived at his ofllco on the twelfth floor of the 46th street address, Sunday afternoon. A salesman arriving to work found him with one end of a gas tube In his mouth. The other end was attached to a workman's blow torch with the gas on. Ill health and despondent because of business troubles was the opinion of friends and relatives. Oct, 8, last. Stein was held up and robbed by bandits of $60,000 in gems In his office. A Jewelry salesman there at the time was also robbed of $160,000 In diamonds. Stein soon after this filed a petition In bank- ruptcy, said the sleuths. Picked Widowed Grandmas For Confidence Game! Edward Elagleston, 28, clerk of 106 Monroe street,'Brooklyn, is In need of a mother's help. He is In the Tombs awaiting trial. In West Side court before Magistrate George W. Simpson, about Six women, mostly widows, came to testify how they had been swindled by Eagleston, who posed over the phone as their son and needing financial aid. The defendant has operated in the Times Square section, said De- tectives James Henne^sy and James Walsh of West 100th street, who arrested Eagleston on the charge of victimizing ilrs. Mary Walsh, a widow of 108 West 88th street. Eagleston, according to Mrs. Walsh,. phoned and stated he was her grandson. He told her he was under arrest and needed $26 for a lawyer's fee. I am In Jail, grand- msi, but 1 will send a messenger for the money," said the defendant. Mrs. Walsh, somewhat skeptical phoned her son to Inquire about "Tommy," her grandson. She was advised by her son to notify the detectives. . She did, and they awaited Eagleston's arrival. "I am the messenger sent by your grandson. Tommy," said the defend ant to Mrs. Walsh. The - sleuths stepped out when the. marked money was accepted by Eagleston. He admitted, said the cops, having phoned, and said he had operated^ for several months. Mrs. Jenkins* Re-trial; One Sentence Suspended Mrs. Annette Jenkins, 28, of 60 West 72d street, actress and dancer, convicted In Special Sessions of violating the Highway Law In hav- ing left the scene of an accident, was given a suspended sentence. She Is under $6,000 ball for a re- trial in General Sessions on a charge of manslaughter. Mrs. Jenkins was arrested lost Christmas morning at 10th avenue and 33d street while she was tak- ing friends home in her machine. The arresting officer Informed her that her machine had struck a man at 10th avenue and 48th street. 'When they returned to the scene of the accident they found the IxJdy of William Coughlln, 66, of 606 West 49th street, in the gutter. The defendant declared It had been snowing at the time and that she had not realized her machine had struck anyone until stopped by the motorcycle policeman.; A Jury disagreed at her first trial for man- slaughter last March. Cop Walks Into Stick-np; He's Sbot and Robbed A Broadway parasite, known to the cops,. and. his pal are being sought as the shooter of Patrolman Peter Burns of the Hack Division of Police Headquarters who was shot in the abdomen In a speakeasy holdup at 49 West 48th street, operated, according to the police, by-Joseph (Pop) Gallagher. Bums' condition is not believed to be seri- ous. He is said to be recovering in Flower hospital. The bandit fired a bullet from an automatic gun. It grazed Bums stomach and lodged in his hip. Bums has been on the force six years, formerly attached to the spe- cial service division at Head- quarters'. Burns told detectives MaskelU and Joh^ Walsh of the West 47th street station that he was peuislng "Pop's" place at about 7:30 cu m. The Iron grill .door was open. "I stepped In to se'e why the door was open. I saw about 10 patrons, men and women herded in the rear of the place. "Believing It was a federal raid I announced I'was a police officer. I had my shield In my hand when presently the man shot me in the stomach. "I fell to the floor. Too weak to rise or offer resistance. The man Who shot me stole my service re- volver, shield and $12," said Bums. The two bandits had already held up the place and opened the grill door to make a speedy getaway. They had robbed Gallagher, two of his help and some of his patrons, totaling about $150. Masklell and Walsh soon after hurried to the detective bureau, Gallagher, the tatter's doorman and chef. They were - quizzed for the best part of the day. They told how the bandits came to the place accompanied by a hostess who was a frequenter of Gallagher's. The hostess, the cops declare, is Innocent. During the course of the stlckup she ask them to "lay oft." With an oath they dragged her out. Bums lives in Astoria, Queens. 3 Yrs.for Frcncb Girl; $25 For Man; Both Had Gms Tvette de Pressles, 17, dancer, of 300 'West 49th street, who recently arrived from France to appear in a new musical, she said, was . sent to the House of Good Shepherd for a term not to exceed three years In Special, Sessions. She had pleaded guilty of unlawfully possessing a loaded revolver. The petite French girl was ar- rested April 80 by Detective Ernest Menkel of the West 47th Street sta- tion. The officer liad been Informed that a girl was at Broadway and 60th street ''gunning for a man who had done her wrong.'* Menkel fo'und the girl and searched her handbag. In It he found a pearl handle re- volver fully loaded. The defendant denied she meant to use it on anybody but that she carried it for protection. Walter DeGroff, 49, who wlt't his wife comprise the vaudeville team known as' the Aerial DeGrofCs, pleaded guilty in Special Sessions to unlawfully possessing a revolver. He was fined $26 or five days In Jail. He paid the fine. DeGroR was arrested by Detec tlve Manney of the West 47th Street station on April 10 in his home at 430 West 47th street. The officer found a fully loaded revolver in the apartment. DeGroK admitted the ownership, according to Probation Officer Jacob Llchter, stating he had purchased the gun to ' protect himself from thieves while traveling on the road. He said he constantly carried valu- able Jewelry belonging to his wife and was In fear of being held up. Newsdealer Gets OfT ~Bay, JMl n3,^,0,,J!^sdealer_w I th a stand at Broadway- a"nc( 83fd' street, was convicted In Special Ses- sions to a charge of selling French magazines containing Indecept pho- tographs. He'was given a suspended sent- ence after he had informed the Court he sold the magazines at the request. 'of his. partner who had brought them from Paris. NECKLACE AND BOLIVARS Salesgirl Dismissed on South Amer- ican Woman's Charge Francos Romm, 93, -saleslady In the gown. shop of David Zorn, 26' West 42nd street, was freed In West Side court - by Magistrate George W. Simpson when arrested on suspicion of grand larceny by Detectives Charles Dugan and Clarence Gllroy of the West 47th street station. They arrested the saleslody op the complaint of Mrs. Camien Rojas, wife of Nicholas Rojos, South American farmer and living at 316 West seth street. Miss Romm was charged with the alleged larceny of a necklace valued at 1,200 bolivars, or $460, American. Mls^ Romm resides 10 Falrvlew avenue, Washington Heights. The story told by the complain- ant was that she wont to the shop to purchase some gowns. Tried on a few and was advised, she said, by the saleslady, to remove the neck- lace that was tearing the gowns. Mr. Rojas is a member of the Harvard Club,' the police said. He was to meet his wife at the shop. Falling to come, Mrs. RoJas left, the store promising to return the next day. She averred she failed to ask -Miss Romm for the necklace. The saleslady denied she ever held the necklace. Magistrate Simpson Stated that he felt there was lack of evidence and discharged Miss Romm. Miss Ruban Gets Summons Also Watch and Money Ruby Ruban, who asserts she was an actress,' residing at 109 'West 48th street, is happy once again. Miss Ruban came to West Side Court and complained that she took a wrist watch to Maximilian Kee- han, a Jeweler, of 836 6th avenue, ito have It repaired. Keehan has a small space In the store that Is also occupied by a bar- ber. The actress was accompanied by Helen Lee, of 66 West 60tb street, modiste. 'When Miss Ruban sought her timepiece she was in- formed by the repairman she had never left It. "Where Is the receipt?" was the Jeweler's query. "Tou gave me none," said Miss Ruban. When the watch was not forthcoming she went to West Side Court and ob- tained a summons. Magistrate William Dodge lis-, tened to both sides. Miss Lee was- a corroborating witness. Keehan decided to give Miss Ruban another watch with a sum of money to boot. She accepted the bargain. She stated that her watch cost $60.' 3 Mos. for Indecent Fifan A sentence of three months In the 'WorKKffaBH**for-*possesslng-an-^b-- scene. picture film was Imposed in Special Sessions on John D. Car- mack, 35, of 119 Caton avenue, Brooklyn, salesman for the Metro- politan Motion Picture Company of 108 West 34th street. Carmack pleaded guilty to violat- ing the section relating to Indecent pictures. Jewebry Tbieves Pnnisbed For the theft of Jewelry valued at $30,000 from Mme. Marie Rap- pold, opera, Michael Pollnsky, alias Stephen Ream, and his common law wife, Marie Pardee, were sentenced to prison by Judge Francis X. Man- cuso of General Sessions. Polinsky was given a term of from three to six years in Sliig Sing while the woman was sentenced to the peni- tentiary up to three years. Both had pleaded guilty to an indictment charging robbery In the second de- gree. The theft of the Rappold Jewels occurred on Oct 27, 1928, from the opera singer's apartment in the Hotel Langwell, 121 West 44th street. The couple had been for- merly employed as servants by Mme. Rappold. While the latter with her daughter were asleep, the defendants gained entrance to the apartment. The couple were arrested last December in Wllkes-Barre, Pa., when the woman attempted to pawn one of the stolen pieces of Jew- elry. Most of the remaining Jewelry was found In a room occupied by the couple. 5 and 10 Speaks Des Moines, Iowa, May 14. The Woolworth 6 and 10 and the 'Vim, a sporting gobds house here, are defending proceedings since agents seized 1,347 bottles of bay rum at the Woolworth store and 10 bnttlea-flLthg Vim. This is the county attorney's flrsT action to make Illegal the sale of bay rum that can be used as a beverage. Employees of the WooTwortli company told liquor- bureau opera- tives din-ing llic raid that the com- pany sells six cases, of bay rum a day. McGEE RELATES BOND DEAL WITH ROTHSTEIN Disbarred Lawyer Testifies^ Garnbler - Bought Stolen Property as Favor The name of the late Arnold Itothstein was brought Into the trial of Eugene F. McGee, disbarred law- yer, and James W. Osbome, 2nd, attorney, accused of criminally re- ceiving stolen securities. McOee took the stand In General Sessions In his own defense and declared he had received the bonds from Rothsteln after the latter had bought them for $13,400. The bonds were valued at $140,000. They 'were subsequently turned over to'the owners by Osborne acting for Mc- Gee, who received a reward of $]L6,000. It is the contention of the state that the two defendants had k,ept the securities until a reward. was offered. I McGee on the stand said that Fanny Brlce, then wife of Nicky Arasteln, had told him Vandlver Was looking for Amsteln. Miss Brlce was curious as to what 'Van- diver wanted. She asked McGee to find out McGee en Stand '■ "I called on Vandlver," McGee tesUfled. "I told him-I didn't be- lieve Arnsteln knew anything about the bonds or wlio had them. He a^ked me would I aid him to find the' bonds. I told him that I had al>plled for reinstatement to the b^r and I believed that with his aid i; would , be reinstated. I said I did not wish a penny'for my work iii trying to locate the bonds. All I wanted was to get back In good standing as a la'wj'er. ' "Later I met Arnold Rothsteln and told him the story. I asked bbn to aid me in locating the bonds teU><^. Ing him that it would be the means- of my reinstatement to the bar. Arnold demurred. I pleaded with him as a friend and he finally con- siented to aid me. . "A few days later Rothsteln said he thought he had located some of the stolen- securities. "He had loCfited all except six of the missing bonds, value amount^' Ihg to $110,000. 'Vandlver asked me what I thought 1% would cost to recover them. I said about 10 per cent of the value.* tAter he in-: formed me that the firm had set $17,000 as a reward.' He expressed the wish tbat I would make $6,000 on the transaction. I lnIorme~d him I did not want a cent. That all I was interested in was my /elnstate- ment .. "Rothsteln called me on the phone and told me he had located all the bonds except one valued at $1,000. "'How did you get themr" I asked Rothsteln. Paid $f3,400 . "1 paid $13,400 for them In order to prevent a broker from taking them west,' he said, Had the broker ' taken , them out of the state the^ would have never been-recovered.' ( . "i told him that I was broke and. did not know when I would be able to return the $13,400. He replied,. that he knew that when I was re- Instated ais a lawyer I would pay him back and it I never paid him It would be aU right with him." McGee then engaged Osborne Uy' ' return the bonds to -Vandlver and receive a re^rd of $16,000. Os- borne later turned this amount over' to McGco. The latter paid Osbome' $600 as a fee and'McGee testified''- he paid back the money Rothsteln' had expended to obtain the securl- Ues. Times Sq. Pastor Quits Rev. Dr. Charles E. Jefferson who has been pastor of the Broadway- Tabemacle (Congregational) Church, 65th and Broadway, since 1899, has resigned effective August 29, 1930, his 70th birthday. His church Is regarded as the wealthiest Protestant congregatloiL.^ In' the Times Square zone ond hams' had but six pastors since Its or- ganization In 1840. Eight boys from Columbia passed! out completely at the opening of Harlem joint. The^, were derided by^. t/ie Yale fe|low8,who never pass out,, they say, but are more often ejected.^ 'Hafvafa~rev6llBrt-"brag—they—are---^- never thrown out, never pass out and deport themselves like gentle-- men under the most adverse condi- tions. 'Yale men dispute this. They' contend the only reason the Harvard ; . night clubbers aren't thrown out is that it Would be certain. homicide since the boys are ao frail. ......