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The Golden Years of the Capone Era

© Ron Lombard

The Golden Years of the Capone Era

At the age of twenty-six, Al Capone assumed control of the Torrio Organization, with over one thousand people on the payroll of $300,000 a week. The profits continued to roll in because the majority of people felt that betting and bootlegging were minor vices and the man that made these things possible was a public servant who did what he could to meet the needs of the people. Capone, himself attempted to put his feeling in regards to his business by stating, "This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it."

" Public service is my motto. Ninety percent of the people in Chicago drink and gamble. I've tried to serve them decent liquor and square games. But I'm not appreciated. I'm know all over the world as a millionaire gorilla."

In many ways Capone was the opposite of his mentor, Johnny Torrio. Torrio, believed that violence would only lead to more violence. So long as bribes, persuasion, and compromise could be utilized peace that was good for business could be maintained and provide profits for all. Torrio, did not drink, smoke, womanize, or allow the use of profanity in his presence. Capone appeared to have a need to take part in as many vices as possible. He had numerous affairs, one leading to the contracting of syphilis, he was a heavy gambler, and believed that the use of violence was the major means by which to solve differences between rivals. Capone's feeling related to violence is summed up in his statement,

"You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone."

Capone was aware, however, that public image was of great importance for a man in his position. While the undercurrent of violence was always associated with Capone, he made numerous attempts to portray himself as a fixer of problems that identified with the common man. His friendship with people in the press provided opportunities to put forth this presentation to the public. Instead of hiding in the shadows he pursued opportunities to be seen in the public. He attempted to present an image that matched an era where most of the population drank bootlegged liquor, as a businessman who was attempting to supply the demands of the people. He used part of the organization's income to attempt to purchase favorable publicity and an even larger amount to purchase political influence. He made himself available in the seats of political power offering to deal with and fix problems that confronted various politicians. Capone seemed to feel that being seen in public and at political events could provide the cover he needed to mask his true personality and the dirty aspects of his business ventures. While to some degree this did enhance his image it also kept him in the public eye reminding people of the power and influence his organization could inflict on rivals and the public alike. Capone would not be the last gangster to feel that effective public relations could provide a higher level of respectability. He was also not the last to find that the public can turn against a public figure found too often on the front page of the papers. This same lesson would be learned by Joe Colombo and John Gotti, both who would pay a price for the fame they had accumulated for themselves.

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