He says it is the
greatest thing he knows.
But the genuine Camorrist or Mafius' would be highly indignant
at being called a "Black Hander." His is an ancient and
honorable profession; he is no common criminal, but a "man
peculiarly sensitive in matters of honor," who for a
consideration will see that others keep their honorable
agreements.
The writer has received authoritative reports of three
instances of extortion which are probably prototypes of many
other varieties. The first is interesting because it shows a
Mafius' plying his regular business and coming here for that
precise purpose. There is a large wholesale lemon trade in
New York City, and various growers in Italy compete for it.
Not long past, a well-dressed Italian of good appearance and
address rented an office in the World Building.
His name on the door bore the suffix "Agent." He was, indeed,
a most effective one, and he secured practically all the lemon
business among the Italians for his principals, for he was a
famous capo ma mafia, and his customers knew that if they did
not buy from the growers under his "protection" that something
might, and very probably would, happen to their families in or
near Palermo.
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