The popular
method of collecting is for the principal capo maestra, or
temporary boss of Mulberry Street, to "give" a banquet at
which all "friends" must be present--at five dollars per head.
No one cares to be conspicuous by reason of his absence, and
the hero returns to Italy with a large-sized draft on Naples
or Palermo.
Meanwhile the criminal driven out of his own country has but
to secure transportation to New York to find himself in a rich
field for his activities; and once he has landed and observed
the demoralization often existing from political or other
reasons in our local forces of police and our uncertain
methods of administering justice (particularly where the
defendant is a foreigner), he rapidly becomes convinced that
America is not only the country of liberty but of license--to
commit crime.
Most Italian crooks come to the United States not merely some
time or other, but at intervals. Practically all of the
Camorrist defendants on trial at Viterbo have been in the
United States, and all will be here soon again, after their
discharge, unless steps are taken to keep them out.
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