Downshaker

How might a glib varlet, lacking the nerve lo be an out-&-out racketeer, make money out 'of Prohibition at small personal risk and outlay? One way might be to impersonate a U.S. revenue agent and frighten hush money out of unsophisticated speakeasy proprietors. So thought one Thomas Harris, alias James Marshall, of Brooklyn. His technique: enter speakeasy, consume drinks, ask pointed questions, drop dark hints, increase hints to threats if necessary, pretend to "telephone headquarters" and show a fake revolver (cigaret case) if absolutely necessary. If threatened in return or asked to show a badge, leave discreetly. The underworld name for this whole act is "shake-down."

Some 150 Manhattan speakeasies paid Down-Shaker Harris some $25,000 over a period of several weeks. He played the game at both ends, often telephoning to local Prohibition headquarters to "squeal" on proprietors he had found obdurate.

Last week, Down-Shaker Harris was arrested for impersonating an officer and for extortion. What exposed him was irate proprietors telephoning Prohibition headquarters to complain that they had already paid their protection fees and did not want to be further imposed upon.