The Decline of the Capone Era
The heat created by the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre brought real problems to Capone. The local authorities knew Capone was behind the killings even though he was in Florida at the time. In response the heat was put on to many of Capone's enterprises in due to the public outcry. Also the new rising crime lords at the Atlantic City Conference felt it was time for Big Al to cool things off by spending some time in jail. In reality the idea didn't seem that bad to Capone, who was also concerned about the retaliation of Moran. Contact was made with the Philadelphia Police and arrangements were made for Capone to be picked up on a concealed weapons charge on his trip back to Chicago.
Capone received a one-year sentence and served ten months. He spent his time in excellent conditions since he had many of his belongings and food brought in to make him feel more at home. He also had unlimited visitation rights and was able to run his organization from his cell with little difficulty. This time period was to provide a cooling off period to allow things to get back to normal. The only problem was that big changes were taking place that would have long reaching effects when Capone gained his release.
The depression hit while Capone was in jail and the view of the monies being pulled in by organized crime in relation to the public was viewed in a much different manner. What was once accepted in relation to monies paid to crime organizations had now become something to attack. Capone made some effort to improve his public image by opening up soup kitchens for the out of work public. He made sure the public was aware of his generosity through his use of the media. But this was not enough to win back the public support he had acquired prior to the depression. His flashy life style and days at the racetrack were in sharp contrast to the world now faced by the majority of the public. His enterprises were gaining attention that had not existed before.
The Federal Government also was utilizing a new angle to attack the Chicago Outfit. This new approach was gaining real success in lessening the power of Capone's organization. Investigations related to income-tax evasion were used as a means to weaken the Outfit. First, Big Al's brother Ralph was convicted of tax evasion and given a trip to prison plus fines. Next, the Outfit bookkeeper, Jake Guzik was convicted for the same offense. Frank Nitti, second in command for the Chicago Mob, was sent away for a year and a half plus fines. The plan was to collect enough information to use against Capone for same type of conviction.
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