THE GANGSTER
TYPE
8B
By R. K. WILKINSON
©. Bell Sypdicate = WNU Bervice.
£C HE only way,” sald Produc-
er Howard Heyward, “to in-
ject realism Into a picture
is to cast the players
true to type. By this | mean only real
mothers should play the part of
screen mothers, war veterans the part
of soldiers, cultured men the part of
gentlemen—"
“And gangsters the part of gang
steers!"
“Exactly. That's the meat in the
coconut. Here we have a picture on
which we are ready to begin produc-
tion. The feature role is that of a
gang leader, a suave, crafty, Iintelll-
gent, ruthless sort of person, who lives
by his wits and holds the fate of a
hundred henchmen In his hand, who
is a menace to society—hated, feared,
scorned. And who, may I ask, have
you cast to play the role? Who?”
A grin, edging on a sarcastic grim-
ace, twisted the corners of Producer
Heyward's mouth,
“Donald Fairweather! Of all peo-
ple, he certainly comes the farthest
from being a gangster type! A good
actor, yes, But—if you'll excuse my
saying so—a rather effeminate sort of
person. A master of love scenes. Sen-
timental, romantic, a direct appeal to
the sympathetic instincts of women!"
Thoth.
Director Tod Philloon rapped the ta-
ble top and glared.
“Now Heyward, you listen to me,
I've been in movie making game
a long time, It's my business. 1 can't
do anything else. And if you'll for-
give my 3 lesty, I've made some
pretty good res. If I hadn't been
able to os roles correctly, those
pictures would have been flops.
*I'm not ying this to make an Im-
fgnored, fou're § banker. You've
been out here only two weeks, and at
that only 3 ik sent you
to take charge anti h ompany’s
stock was disposed It's senseless
to think
a picture. It isn’t in your line. [I hap-
pen to have discovered Donald Fair-
weather He can play
any part, if I direct him!"
* . »
He's versatile,
Producer Heyward's face was a dall
red.
A sneer was on his li
“You're quite a guy, eh, Philloon?
Well, get this, either you get a real
gangste r type to play the role of
‘Brick’ Lagoon, or you're fired! There's
plenty of 'em around, go pick one out”
Director Philloon stared through a
ry and chewed his cigar.
He could not afford
Jobs were scarce,
to lose his Job.
1
Besides, he loved the work.
was only a temporary
fixture,
Within six months old man Levine,
who knew pictures and
Director Philloon's abilities, w vould be
back on the job,
Presently Director Philloon turned.
“I'd like to make you a sporting
proposition. I'll go get a gangster, a
real one, true to type, and, with your
approval, I'll cast him in the role of
Brick Lagoon. [I'll do my best to build
him up and if, as you predict, he comes
through, injects realism into the film,
we'll use him. If he falls down, we'll
play Don Fairweather!"
“Done
Heyward slapped the table,
He knew Philloon well enough to be
assured that the director would try In
all sincerity to make an actor out of
the gangster.
And it was with no little feeling
of triumph and relief that he agreed
to the proposition.
He felt certain that his own Ideas
on the matter were correct, and that
Director Philloon had a surprise com-
ing to him.
appreciated
* . »
He stood up.
“Just one thing more, Philloon.
When selecting your man, remember
that this film is actually a character
sketch of the well-known gang leader,
Tony Scarbo. Pick some one who at
least resembles Scarbo In appearance”
“TI bear it In mind,” Philloon
agreed,
Two days later Director Philloon en-
tered Producer Heyward's private of-
fice In company with a tall, black-
haired, olive-skinned youth, who smiled
almost whimsically at the producer,
but kept his hand in his coat pocket.
“Meet ‘Sliver’ Johnson, Heyward
He's your gangster type, all right.”
“I'm not so sure. Acts like one, but
looks like a gigolo. Had any experi-
ence, Sliver?”
“Experience?”
“I mean have you been In the rack.
eteering game long? Know any real
gangsters? Ever taken part in a gun-
fight?”
“] getcha. The answer is ‘yes.’ [I
usta work with Secarbo.”
Heyward looked pleased, then sus.
picious.
“Uh, huh. Where's Scarbo now?"
“On the lam, Hidin' out till the Hen.
nesey killing blows over, They're try-
in’ to pin it on him. Mob's scattered
till Tony sends out word for us to
Join him some place.”
. sn
, Heyward pursed his lips, thought a
moment,
Then: “0, K, Sliver. We need an
actor. Gangster type. One who can
give us the real thing. You ought to
qualify if you've worked for Scarbo.
We know you can't act, but Philloon
will take care of that. That's his busi-
ness,”
Tony Scarbo, the gang leader, had
become a national hero,
He was front page news,
Big stuff.
Glamorous.
A murderer. a
It was Philloon's plan to commer-
clalize the idea.
Bulld a picture around Secarbo,
Sell him to the theater-going publle,
Even Heyward could see the possi-
bilities,
But Heyward insisted on realism,
And you couldn't have realism with-
out having things real.
That's why Sliver Johonson was cast
in the leading role.
But Sliver didn’t make good.
Philloon knew he wouldn't, even
though he did his best tc make an ac
tor of the youth,
At the end of a month even Heyward
could see that the pleture would be
a flop, with Sliver playing the lead.
Heyward blamed it on to Philloon,
- LJ ’
“He isn't a gangster, that's what's
the trouble. He's a dud. Put one
over on us. If he was the real thing
he could play the part”
Heyward spat and chewed his cigar
“You can't tell me that dumb cluc K
is a gangster, Gangsters are gorillas
This bird's a sissy. 1 was doubtful
from the start.”
“Listen, Heyward, I'm telling you
Sliver's a member of the Scarbo mob,
I know it. That's the trouble with
him. He's a racketeer, not an actor.
Acting Isn't in his line, no more than
making pictures 8 in yours. Now,
take Don Fairweather. Don's an ac-
tor. I can make a gangster out of
him. It's his line, and it's my line”
“Nuts! We gotta have realism. We
gotta have a real gangster, We gotta
have some one who looks and acts and
talks like Scarbo, It's Scarbo we'rn
selling, isn't it? Well, use your head
Philloon got purple,
a little tired of being told
what an idiot he was,
“Listen, Heyward,
If your gangster dic
He was l
we made a deal.
“It's O. K. and It stands, ut first
He looks about as much like a gang-
ster as I, and acts less like one.”
* *
Philloon d, triumph and con-
tentment lighting his eyes.
“Listen, Heyward, you're the one
who's nuts. Try usin’ your noodle for
once. Do you think for a second 1
could get one of Scarbo's mob up here
when they're all on the lam? You
must be crazy. Say, If the cops knew
we had a Scarbo man here they'd be
up and third-degree him so quick you
wouldn't know what t's all about.
Ro he hears about
ture of ours and comes brows
wind, He drops In at my office
ifter you and 1 have our talk.
» a deal with him, 1 show him
We sign him on, Fine! He
ldn't be in a safer spot. Then you
crab his act by saying he doest’t look
like a real gangster, He's gotta get
out and start dodging the police again.
So what? Well, Heyward, I guess you
gotta admit I'm right. Acting isn't in
Scarbo’'s line. He's a gangster, A
killer, Heyward, and he doesn’t Hke
you at ail”
Heyward's face was pale.
He sputtered, choked,
“Ray, look here, Philloon. Now.
listen, you better keep him on the pay
roll awhile. Sure, that's it, keep him
on. Pick your own lead, but keep
Searbo on, I'll leave it to your judg-
ment. 1 gotta be getting back to New
York, anyhow. Leaving tonight. You
take things over here, but keep Scarbo
on the pay roll—"
Philloon wiped his forehead and sat
down in the chair vacated by Produc-
er Heyward and grinned.
Some day, he told himself, he'd have
to look up this Scarbo guy and see
what he looked like,
of sight. So what?
Mistake at Big Convention
Ohio was represented at the Repub-
Hean national convention in 1884 by
the big four—Foraker, McKinley, Han-
na and William H. West, As he spoke,
West, a blind lawyer of Bellefontaine,
gat in a chair. An orator of unusual
ability, he was known throughout the
state as "Blind Man Eloquent.” When
he came to the climax, the time at
which he meant to shout the name of
James G. Blaine, he half rose from
his chair and shouted by mistake the
name of James A. Garfield. West im-
mediately realized his mistake, and
again half rising from his chair he
ghouted the name of James G. Blaine,
but in the confusion few heard him.
Ohio's Garfield had been dead three
years,
Words With Double Meanings
In Northumberland the word “ecan-
ny” has a meaning different to that
which is inseparably connected with
Scotland—prudent, careful, crafty, ete.
On Tyneside “canny” 18 an embodi-
ment of all that is kindly, good and
gentle. The highest compliment that
can be pald to any person by a true
Northumberian is to say that he or she
is “eanny.” As “home” expresses the
English love of the fireside, so on
Tyneside does “canny” express every
home virtue. All that Is good and
lovable In a man or woman Is covered
by the expression, “El, what a canny
body.” Thus also the word “homely™
which in England means restful, home
Hke—Canadians use the word to indi.
cate ugliness—an Hl-favored person,
“4
Lei me)
By ELMO SCOTT WATSON
N THE
Luke's of Chartiers, in the little town
of Woodville, Pa., Is a stone that is
rich In historic association. It wi. 3
brought to the United States fram
Sulgrave Manor In Northamptonshire,
historic Episcopal church, St
Ragland, the ancestral home of the
Washington family, How this relie
from acro he Atlantie happens to
be in
vanis explained # memorial tabs
let which is attached to it and which bears this
inscription “George ashington and John
Neville, whit 1 in thelr deals of an orderly gov.
western Pennsyl-
ernment, co-workers in suppressing the whisl
insurrection, the only armed conflict of
occurred on hil j1
17, 1704."
is recalled
he Alleghe ny
when It was found i
who was its first senior warden, and it was
burned to the groun insurrectionists
during the Whiskey rebelll
The Whiskey rebellion had its genesis in the
passage of a law by congress in 1701 placing a
small tax on whiskey to help pay off debts in-
curred during the Revolut
funds for the costs of the
ion and to provide
federal government,
The law was suggested by Alexander Hamilton,
then secretary of the treasury, and In presenting
his plan for an excise tax on liquor he argued
that such a tax was oot new but that it had
been levied by various states before that time
What he negled
that the states had
¢
ted to tell congress, however, was
found It virtua
pe lly
to coliect such a tax and that this would be a
severe test Impose wer of the new,
4d noneloo-strong federal government. They
» goon to fine ut just how unpopular such
ally and more par-
Washington, West
ayette in
frontiersmen had
g all the whiskey
western
Pennsylvanis
long been accustomed 5
they wanted and to using it at stores and trad
ing posts in lien of money
When the bill levying the tax, which was
passed in March, 1791, was up for consideration
in congress, the state legislature of Pennsyl-
vania, then in session, went on record In very
strong terms opposing the tax. and urging
Pennsylvania sénators and represegtatives to
vote against it. The twee congressmen from
Western Pennsylvania voted against the bill and
denounced It at every opportunity and such a
notable as Albert Gallatin, then a resident of
Fayette county and later secretary of the treas-
ury under Jefferson and Madison, advocated
opposition to the law by all constitutional meth-
odds,
The last of the public meetings in protest of
the law was held In August, 1792; the Insur-
rection did not break out until 1794, but in the
intervening time “there were five or six uncon
nected riots, or assaults on collectors, in differ
ent parts of the western country, on account of
the excise.”
In some cases feders! revenue officers were
tarred and feathered, their commissions torn up,
thelr records seized, and by threats compelled
to print their resignations in the Pittsburgh Ga-
gette, If a law-abiding farmer gave information
as to the location of stills his barn would be
burned. -
Early in the disturbances President Washing.
ton Issued a proclamation condemning lawless
acts and warning all the malcontents to “return
to thelr allegiance” and assuring them that it
was his Intention to enforce the law “at all haz.
ards.” This was without effect. In fact, it
seemed only to fan the flames, and organized
rebellion began to be talked about,
An insurgent leader, David Bradford, sprang
to the front and ealled upon the free whiskey
forces to organize and defend their cause with
force of arms, If necessdiry. Although congress
had indorsed Washington's proclamation, the
whiskey forces began to arm themselves here
and there. Congress tried to allay the bitter.
ness by reducing the tox and providing for
monthly payments but there seemed to be no
abatement of the fury.
in July, 1704, an armed detachment of the
insurgents attacked the home of General Neville,
who was an inspector in Westmoreland county.
He had ealled to his ald a small detachment
from the garrison at Fort Pitt, which then con-
sisted of but 11 men under the command of Maj.
Abraham Kirkpatrick, The major refused to al
low the insurgents to search the home of Neville
for papers, and the insurgents then withdrew to
cover and opened a brisk fire upon the house,
which was returned by the troops,
Bradford, determined to aggravate the disturb.
ance, stopped the mail at Greensburg, on the
road between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, and
robbed It of letters, some of which he published.
On July 28 a circular signed by Bradford and
one or two others was sent out summoning to
personal service the militia of the county and
calling for volunteers to rendezvous at Brad.
docks fleld, eight miles south of. Pittsburgh,
GEN. DANIEL MORGAN
an expedition proposed in which you will have
an opportunity for dis ing your mili
ents and of rendering service to your co
Nothing less was contemplated than an 2a
upon Fort Pitt and the sack of Pittshurgh.
On the appointed day there assembled at
Braddock's field a8 motley throng of several
tho I ackwoodsmen, There was much har
anguing b ltd asitive action. The next day
the meeting broke
to their homes,
Pittsburgh, parac ugh the streets and.
finally crossing the river in their turn, séattered
The ¥ did no age the town beyond the
burning of a farm belonging to Major Kirk
patrick of the gi:
iy this time Washington had
bout one-third 4 spersed
ginger marching to
irrison
completely lost
patience with the rebels and he resolved to
smash their power once and for all and restore
the authority and prestige of the federal gov
ernment. First he issued a proclamation on An
gust 7 summoning all persons involved in the
rebellion to lay down their arms and return to
their homes by September 1. He issued requi
sitions on the governors of Pennsylvania, Mary.
land, Virginia and New Jersey for 15.000 men
and the troops thus raised were called out or
September 25,
While the troops were being organized Wash
ington made a final effort to bring the lawless
element to their senses and to prevent blood
shed if possible. He appointed a committee com
posed of James Ross, Jasper Yeates, and Willlam
Bradford to go to the scene of rebelllon “in
order to quiet and extinguish the insurrection”
In the meantime many of the calm and decent
element realized It was high time to take some
action. Accordingly a convention was called
which was attended by 200 delegates from the
rebellions counties,
Gallatin, who was secretary of the meeting,
was the outstanding figure of the gathering. Ie
impressively explained the folly of past resist.
ance and pointed out the ruinous consequences
to the country of the continuance of the rebel
Hon, In unmistakable language he told them
that President Washington was bound to vindi-
cate the laws of the land and would surely send
an overwhelming force against them. A com-
mittee was appointed to confer with the state
and federal committees. This conference, how.
ever, made but little headway. The bulk of the
population still remained stubborn and mean,
Washington now ordered the troops to move
forward, Gen Henry Lee, governor of Virginia,
was placed In chief command. Gov. Thomas
Mifflin of Pennsylvania, Gov. Richard Howell of
New Jersey, Gov. Thomas 8. Lee of Maryland,
and Gen. Daniel Morgan of Virginia commanded
the volunteers from the respective states, Pres
ident Washington, accompanied by Gen, Henry
Knox, secretary of war; Gen Alexander Ham-
iiton, secretary of the treasury; and Judge Rich.
ard Peters of the United States District court,
mounted their horses and set out for Western
Pennsylvania.
At Carlisle, Pa, they joined the main body of
the army. At this place Washington was called
upon by a committee from the outlaw area and
assured that a change of heart had come over
the people; that the majority were remaining
quietly at home, and that organizations were
being formed to enforce the law, Washington
told them the army was now on its way and
marching orders would not be countermanded.
He assured the committee violence would not be
used unless necessary, and all that was desired
was to have the Inhabitants come back to their
allegiance. Washington then returned to the
Capitol at Philadelphia, and General Lee said:
“Forward, march!”
By this time the rebels were convinced that
the President meant business and they began to
weaken. A committee called upon General Lee
and assured him that the majority of the peo-
ALBERT GALLATIN -
ple in the region wanted peace, to which he re.
plied that no peaceable inhabitant or his prop
erty would be harmed. He then issued a proc
lamation to the inhabitants of the four western
counties, recommending the subscribing of “an
oath to support the Constitution and obey the
laws, and to enter into an association to protect
and ald all the officers of the government In the
execution of their respective duties”
The collapse of the rebellion was swift. Brad.
ford, the principal leader, fled to New Orleans,
then Spanish territory. On the eighth of Novem.
ber, Hamilton, who had remained with the army,
wrote to President Washington that General Lee
had concluded to take and hold all who were
worth the trouble and then deliver them to the
disposition of the judiciary. The night of No
vember 13, 1704, was appointed for the arrests
At eight o'clock the cavalry sallied forth, and
before daylight arrested in their beds about 200
men, The seizures were made in the Mingo
Creek settlement, the hotbed of the Insurrection
and the scene of the early excesses. The pri
soners were taken to Pittsburgh, and thence
mounted on horses, and guarded by the Phila-
delphia Gentlemen corps, to Philadelphia. Against
some 22 of these, indictments for treason were
returned but in the trials only two were con
victed and condemned to death and these two
were later pardoned by Washington,
Meanwhile sut in Western Pennsylvania the
troops, with the exception of a small detach.
ment commanded by General Morgan, were of
dered home. It was considered wise to keep a
few troops at Pittsburgh during the winter, But
they were not needed. From that time on the
excise collectors had no difficulty in collecting
the taxes,
Thus at the cost of nearly a million dollars
in money, and a mihimum of bloodshed, the
federal government demonstrated its right to in
terfere within the state for the enforcement of
is laws, So the Whiskey rebellion, minor affale
though it was, takes its place among the Signin.
cant events in our history—significant because
it marked one of the first steps toward
establishment of a strong central g