THE PRICE OF CRIME:—$15,000,000 A YEAR!
From the army of vice the yearly tribute to the Directorate of Ten—the controlling power—is almost unbelievable.
The figures stagger one.
With reserve, not exaggeration, we make this statement:—
Chicago’s vice legion yields for existence and for protection the sum of—
$15,000,000 annually.
Think of it! Crime pays that fortune to exist and rob the public of more money.
We are not dealing with the thieving contractors who rob the citizens through fixed contracts. We treat only of the crime that the police are sworn to slay.
$15,000,000 put into the coffers of men supposed to be representing the people that the donors may go on destroying the souls and bodies of women, the souls and bodies of men!
That astounding offering to appease the human Juggernauts and to sow in the youths and maidens of our nation the seeds of incurable diseases!
That sum in the blood-stained hands of demagogues to blast a city’s decency and prosperity and to eat into the very vitals of our Republic!
In small envelopes, dirty and diseased, bacteria-bearing paper money and grimy silver are handed in the dark or the light to policemen or outside collectors to be turned over to the Directorate of Ten.
Let the figure $15,000,000 in tribute burn into the recesses of your brain if you would realize the gigantic and almost indescribable character of crime in Chicago.
It is estimated that the $15,000,000 annual vice tribute is less than half a year’s aggregate earnings.
Do you realize that $15,000,000 is five per cent of $300,000,000?