[949] in Daily_Rumour
Bourbon Street: Interesting Events of the Recent Past
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (jhbrown@MIT.EDU)
Mon Sep 25 16:28:28 1995
From: jhbrown@MIT.EDU
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 1995 16:24:49 -0400
To: rumor@MIT.EDU
Here is a bit of detail on some of the more... colorful... events that
have happened recently in 1928 New Orleans. Note that the day of
packet-handout, Thursday, October 5th, 1995, maps in-game to Thursday,
February 16th, 1928, for game-purposes. Thus, events in December and
January are about two months and one month old, respectively.
More news will come out as it happens in game-world-time -- it should be
in smaller chunks than this first big one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana Picayune December 18th, 1927
"Granpa" Abercrombie Convicted on Tax Charges!
Abercrombie insurance empire in jeopardy
The long affair of Charles Abercrombie came to a close today, as Mr
Abercrombie was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for failure to
report income and pay taxes. Mr. Abercrombie was the president of
Abercrombie Insurance Company. At 72, Charles is not expected to
survive to walk free again. His son Homer has been named interim
president of AIC.
Homer Abercrombie says that anyone holding a policy with AIC need not
worry, and that ``Abercrombie Insurance will not be affected by any of
this''. Further the younger Mr. Abercrombie stated that he fully
expects to become the full president at the next board meeting and he
denied any alligations that his father was involved in bootlegging.
In New York, stock in AIC fell 1 and a half points following the news of
Charles Abercrombie's conviction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana Picayune January 13th, 1928
Federal Agents Capture Large Booze Shipment At Riverfront!
Bill Goodman, a local field agent for the national Bureau of
Investigation reports that federal G-Men intercepted a large shipment of
illegal alcohol last night on the riverfront. 4 people were arrested.
Three of the arrested people were from New Orleans. The fourth was
reputedly a man from Chicago with ties to mafia kingpin Al Capone.
Altogether 20 crates of bourbon were seized, according to Mr Goodman.
When asked if he thought that this would have a major affect on alcohol
consumption in New Orleans, Mr Goodman responded ``Well, it's a damned
good start.'' Mr Goodman also claimed to have leads to other smugglers,
and said that the public could expect more such siezures soon.
Local speakeasy operators could not be reached for comment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA
Washington Post Monday, January 23rd, 1928
S U D B U R Y A S S A S S I N A T E D !
Louisiana Mourns Loss of Senior Senator
Dems Ponder Altered Field for Presidential Nomination
Shock waves traveled the nation as news came that Louisiana Senator John
Sudbury was murdered near his home in New Orleans this morning. There
is no report yet on who the assassin was, or if indeed anyone has been
arrested in connection to the crime.
Sudbury lead Democratic resistance to last year's Republican budget. He
was to have played a key role in this year's appropriations debates. He
also spearheaded resistance to unsuccessful attempts to revoke
prohibition. He was considered a strong candiate for this fall's
Democratic nomination for the presidential election. He was expected to
carry much of the south.
The motive for the crime is unknown, but it must be assumed to be
political. Sudbury was not known to have any ties to organized crime,
but New Orleans is known to be a haven for mobsters. It is possible
that with Sudbury out of the race, no one will have the support to carry
the south this fall. This would certainly benifit Republicans, who are
still reeling from Coolidge's decision not to seek reelection.
Mr. Sudbury will be buried on Friday in New Orleans. His body will lie
in state in Louisiana on Wednesday and Thrusday. He is survived by his
mother Rose, his sister Buffy, and his brothers Robert and Theodore.
Robert is Lieutenant Govenor of Louisiana.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Orleans Register Saturday January 28th, 1928
Teddy Sudbury Runs for Vacant Senate Seat
Standing at Brother's Funeral, Swears to Continue Fight.
As expected, Teddy Sudbury announced that he will seek his late
brother's Senate seat. Standing at his brother's funeral yesterday, he
swore to maintain the ``struggle against the forces of repression.'' He
gave a long speech after the funeral where he announced a platform
simular to his brother's.
While he has never served an elective office, Theodore Sudbury does have
extensive legal experience, like his brother did when first elected.
Mr. Sudbury has maintained a law practice for a number of years. He
has expertise in both criminal and mercantile law. He also has
experience with international law, as he has worked for a number of
business clients with oversees business.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Orleans Register Sunday January 30th, 1928
8 Slain in Gangland Massacre!
Victims Include Brothers of Chief of Police
In the latest episode of violence tied to organized crime, eight people
were killed late last night in a shootout in the dock district. Police
report that it appears that at least 20 gunmen were involved. This is
by far the largest single episode of mobster violence in this city in
the last three years. All of the dead men were Italian, several of whom
were related to Police Chief Bertucci. This has sparked fears of
another racial riot in this city, which has been torn by ethnic strife.
But more immediate are fears of a reprisal attack. Residents are
advised to be alert over the next few days, as the danger of getting
caught in the cross fire can not be overstated.
Police Chief Bertucci would not comment on who was responsible, or what
the force would do to prevent further violence. When asked to comment
on the fact that several of the dead men were related to him, he stoicly
replied ``no comment''. He did say however, that he did not fear any
reprisal attacks, and felt that the people of New Orleans need not worry
about any more incidents like last night
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chicago Tribune Tuesday, February 1st, 1928
New Orleans Teamsters Strike, Threaten to Shut Down Strategic Port!
Teamsters' National Union May Also Strike
The New Orleans Teamster's Union went on strike yesterday, passing out a
long list of demands. This comes after the break down of negociations
with a conglomeration of local businessmen. This has virtually
paralized the port of the New Orleans, as all of the dockworkers have
stopped servicing ships on the river.
The shutdown of New Orleans' port brings traffic on the Mississippi to a
standstill. The national Teamsters' Union has spoken out in favor of
the strike, and supports the local union's demands. The national has
also threatened to go on strike themselves if there is any government
interference or any if any strong arm tactics are used to bring the
union into line.
In New Orleans, the mood is black. The strike conjures up memories of
the 1907 strike which shut down the city for several months before local
businesses finally gave into union demands. The strike comes at the
worst possible time: during the busy carnival season. The annual influx
of tourists is one of the city's biggest money makers. Local
businessmen are worried that if they can't get supplies during the
carnival, they can't run their businesses during the most profitable
time of the year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Louisiana Picayune Friday, February 4th, 1928
Dulac Enters Fray, Joins Sudbury, Beaumont in Senate Race
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Reginald Dulac announced yesterday his
intention to run for the US Senate seat left vacant by the late John
Sudbury. He joins Sudbury's brother Theodore and local businessman
James Joseph Robert Beaumont III in the race. He cited his experience
in law enforcement as a major qualification in a brief announcement. He
also questioned the qualifications of Mr Beaumont, who was a virtual
unknown. Finally, Mr Dulac questioned the integrity and sincerity of
Teddy Sudbury, saying that he was only running for election to keep the
Senate seat in his family's control.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
