Rothstein (56 page)

90 Helen Becker: NY World, 2 August 1912, pp. 1, 2; NY World, 13 August 1912, pp. 1-3. The one decent thing about Charles Becker was his love for his third wife, Helen Lynch Becker. It may have been that love, and his desire to prevent her from seeing the real Lieutenant Becker, that prevented him from ever coming clean about himself and thus cutting a lifesaving deal. For her husband’s funeral Helen Becker prepared a brass plate to lay upon his casket. It read: “CHARLES A. BECKER, MURDERED JULY 30, 1915, BY GOVERNOR WHITMAN.” Police made her remove it.

91 “about to be …” … “… how to die.” Clarke, p. 31; Logan, pp. 320-4; Root (One Night in July), pp. 309-11.

91 “Well, that’s it.”: Clarke, p. 31; Root (One Night in July), pp. 312-13; Logan, p. 340.

Chapter 7: “Let’s Go Look for Some Action”

92-93 Long Beach gambling house: http://www.lihistory.com/spectown/hist003n.htm; http://www.paragonragtime.com/castle.html. Reynolds became mayor of Long Beach in 1922. Found guilty of financial improprieties while in office, his conviction was overturned on appeal.

92 Vernon (1887-1918) and Irene (1893-1969) Castle were the premier preWorld War I dance team. Vernon, a British national, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. He flew 150 combat missions safely, but died in an aerial exhibition in Texas in February 1918.

93 “People like … let them.”: Rothstein, pp. 55, 135; Betts, p. 231; Katcher, pp. 109-10.

93-94 “Mr. Rothstein is …” … “… owe me anything.”: Rothstein, p. 135.

94 Partridge Club clientele: NY Times, 27 February 1918, p. 22; Rothstein, pp. 46-47; Katcher, p. 108; Thomson and Raymond, p. 74. Lew Fields (1867-1941) and Joe Webber (1867-1942) comprised Webber and Fields, America’s most popular “Dutch” (German or “Deutsch”) vaudeville dialect act at the turn of the century. After they split up in 1904, Fields became one of Broadway’s most prominent musical-comedy producers.

95 “one of the … sporting game”: NY JournalAmerican, 19 April 1946. Actually, the Partridge Club began in 1903, but only then as a rather, modest, informal affair.

95 “My dear Arnold … THAT SORT OF THING.”: Thomson and Raymond, p. 75.

96 “We counted on …and our inexperience.”: NY World, 20 December 1912.

96 chemin de fer: Rothstein, p. 47.

96 Lowden: Katcher, pp. 108-09.

96 “that Nat Evans … and be fleeced.”: NY American, 22 February 1918. Evans and Tobin were also Rothstein’s partners in Saratoga’s The Brook gambling house (See Chapter 9).

96-97 Bauchle a front: NY Times, 21 February 1918, p. 9; NY Times, Feb 27, 1918, p. 22; NY Times, 7 March 1918, p. 9.

97-98 “Dear Arnold … and never will.”: NY Herald, 1 April 1922; NY World, 2 April 1922; NY American, 25 June 1922; NY Times, 9 January 1923, p. 25; Thomson and Raymond, pp. 76-79.

98 “I don’t … your money.”: NY Times, 28 April 1939, p. 16; Thomson and Raymond, pp. 59-60; Katcher, pp. 224, 304; Clarke, pp. 79-80; Fowler (The Great Mouthpiece), passim.

99 “Arnold lent … six percent.”: Rothstein, pp. 31, 150. The Selwyn Theatre’s career as a legitimate house was short-lived. By the 1930s it converted to burlesque and motion pictures. In 2000, however, renamed as the American Airlines Theater, it again functioned as a legitimate Broadway house.

99 “He [Rothstein] had … loved it.”: Katcher, pp. 274-45. In July 1928 Murphy answered the bell at his Chicago home. Nobody was there. Before closing the door, he was riddled with machine gun bullets from a passing car. Some said it was revenge for the 1920 slaying of rival labor racketeer Maurice “Mossie” Enright.

99 Break the lease: NY World, 9 November 1928, p. 18. White’s productions ran exclusively at the New Apollo from 1923 through 1928. In 1931 the New Apollo featured Charming Pollock’s The House Beautiful. Dorothy Parker’s New Yorker review ran as follows: “The House Beautiful is The Play Lousy.”

100 “I’m not in …” … “… to be protected.”: NY World, 9 November 1928, p. 18; Rothstein, pp. 150-01; Katcher, pp. 303-74; Waller, Fats Waller pp. 72-73. The Fulton Theater became the Helen Hayes Theater. It is not the current Helen Hayes Theater, which is the former Little Theater. The Fulton/Helen Hayes was demolished in 1982.

100 Ray Miller: NY Sun, 12 November 1928, p. 3; NY Times, 6 December 1935, p. 5. In December 1935 Supreme Court Judge Lauer ruled that Rothstein’s estate remained liable for the $76,000, even though the original agreement was purely oral. “There was testimony,” said Lauer, “that Rothstein, who was a notorious gambler, had a code of honor, according to his standards, to which he meticulously adhered. The indemnity company [the New York Indemnity Company], it appears, knew of this quality in the deceased, had tested him and found his word or oral pledge dependable. This would tend to afford a reason for the acceptance by the indemnity company of an oral arrangement in a transaction of this magnitude rather than an insistence upon a written agreement, which might otherwise be regarded as a usual course of procedure.”

101 “Why don’t …” … “… You can’t lose.”: NY World, November 9 1928, p. 18; Rothstein, p. 151; Waller (Fats Waller), p. 72; Bordman, p. 437. Shufflin’ Along featured Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, Fats Waller, and Florence Mills in its Broadway incarnation and Josephine Baker and Paul Robeson in touring companies. Rothstein’s death in November 1928 left Keep Shufflin’s road cast stranded in Chicago.

101-2 “The cops like me.” … “… don’t, we do!”: Thomson and Raymond, p. 67; Rothstein, p. 151. Gottlieb, pp. 79-80; Katcher, p. 209; Walker, p. 86. The Backstage was Billy Rose’s first nightclub, opened with royalties earned from writing “Barney Google with his goo goo googly eyes” with Con Conrad. Duffy later managed heavyweight Primo Carnera. Joe Frisco (1889-1958), a popular comedian and dancer of the time, specialized in a stuttering act. Helen Morgan (1900-1941) won fame as a speakeasy chanteuse, but also had a career in film and on Broadway. In Showboat in 1927 she introduced the songs “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and “Bill.”

102 “Good … boy,” … “… pay the principal.”: NY World, 10 November 1928, p. 2.

103 “Often on … profit”: Rothstein, pp. 73-74.

Chapter 8: “Take Any Price”

104 Havre de Grace: NY Times, 22 September 1912, Sect. 3, p. 2; NY Times, 23 September 1912, p. 3; NY Times, 25 September 1912, p. 9; Betts, p. 231; Rothstein, pp. 230-01; Katcher, p. 122; Conversation with David R. Craig, 18 November 2002. Laurel (1911), Havre de Grace (1912), and Bowie (1914) opened within four years of each other. Maryland authorities, led by Attorney General Edgar Allan Poe, attempted to close Havre de Grace shortly after it opened, but it remained in business. The track remained profitable until Eddie Burke’s death in the late 1940s. It closed in 1950.

105 Arnold handed over his remaining 75 shares to Carolyn, providing her with a handsome yield. She retained them until their divorce proceedings began. After Arnold’s murder, she got them back, and their sale eventually netted her $33,000.

106 “[Omar Khayyam’s jockey Everett] … front to stay”: NY Times, 19 October 1917, p. 10; Katcher, pp. 119-122; http://www.secondrunning.com/ Hourless%20and%2OMike%2OHall.htm.

107 Hourless: New York Sun reporter Edward C. Hill penned the original print account of A. R.‘s Hourless coup. It included the patently false contention that Hildreth and Rothstein had not previously known each other-a detail probably meant to draw attention from their manipulation of events.

108 “For all … standing deserved.”: Eliot, p. 14. The name Belmont was part of the family’s social climbing. Belmont Sr. was originally “August Schoenberg.” “Schoenberg” and “Belmont” both meant “beautiful mountain.” But a French surname possessed greater cache and was less visibly Jewish.

109 “I would … Mr. Belmont.”: Clarke, pp. 105-06; Katcher, pp. 136-37; Rothstein, pp. 99-101; Betts, p. 231.

111 “While [Rothstein] is a …” … “a liability, Arnold,”: Lewis (Man of the World), p. 54; Kahn (The World of Swope), p. 118. Leo Katcher places this incident in 1921-following the World Series fix (“You know what people are saying, Arnold. And what they’re thinking. Half the country believes you were the man who fixed the World Series.”). In view of the date of Swope’s letter, Katcher’s date and quote must be considered incorrect.

112 “Please believe … honest mistake.”: Betts, p. 226.

112 “See, you can’t …” … . .. somin-a-bitch-a Rothastein.”: Betts, pp. 231-33.

112 Close shave, Polo Grounds: Clarke, pp. 302-03.

113 “Ha! Ha!” … Belmont Park today?”: ibid. pp. 296-97; Rothstein, p 105.

113 “And every … after that.” Clarke, pp. 87-88.

113-14$10,000 5-2 bet: Betts, p. 234.

114 “without batting an eye.”: NY Sun, 6 November 1928, p. 3. Snob II had a way of disappointing bettors. In the 1922 Belmont it went off as a commanding 1-3 favorite, only to finish second.

114 “Their findings …” …….. over a telephone.”: Rothstein, pp. 88-91.

115 Will Davis: Katcher, pp. 220-23.

117 Redstone Stables: The first horse A. R. owned was Virile, acquired on November 16, 1916 from Sidney Stajer. (Thomson and Raymond, p. 62)

117 “Almost everyone … the stars.”: NY World (thrice-a-week edition), 1 October 1920, p. 1; NY World, 9 November 1928, p. 18; Betts, p. 224. Star Shoot sired two chestnut colts in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame: Grey Lag, owned successively by Max Hirsch and Harry Sinclair, and Sir Barton, the first Triple Crown winner (in 1919). The problem with being the first Triple Crown winner is that at the time no one realized such an accolade existed.

117 “a primrose jacket and … … … should have won.”: Rothstein, pp. 80-84; Clarke, pp. 102-03. Latonia operated in Covington, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Its purses were so large that it challenged the primacy of the New York tracks until August Belmont persuaded the track’s new owners to scale them back. It ceased operations in January 1942.

119-22 “What a great day …” … “… a strange man.”: NY World, 24 August 1927, p. 6; Clarke, pp. 92-99; Betts, pp. 223-25; Katcher, pp. 124-31; Rothstein, pp. 78-79, 84-88; Crouse, p. 137. Carolyn Rothstein informs us that A. R. wanted to go his own way that night-and from her telling, that was about it. Leo Katcher provides a different version-that on their way home from the track A. R. turned to her and said, “This is my lucky day. I feel it in my bones. I think I’ll find a game tonight. Do you mind if I don’t take you to dinner?” At that, Katcher contends, Carolyn exploded, and A. R. was forced to take her to Delmonico’s. Then he went out for a game.

Chapter 9: “Chicken Feed”

123 Saratoga casinos: Saratogian, 19 March 1972. Soon after opening, Moon’s became the birthplace of the potato chip when Cornelius Vanderbilt complained that his french fries weren’t crispy enough. This enraged chef George Crum, who retaliated by slicing his potatoes paper-thin before frying them and serving them to Vanderbilt. The millionaire-and the rest of the worldthought they were great.

124 “The entrance … every direction.”: Evelyn Barrett Britten, “Farm Was Showplace,” Saratogian, circa 1969, Collection of the City Historian Saratoga Springs.

124 “The cuisine … on the menu.”: Saratogian, 19 March 1972.

124-25 “the United States … unconscious of nerves.”: Hotaling, p. 219.

126 “According to testimony … as police officials.”: Saratogian, 31 July 1919, p. 1.

126 “Reports that … with fresh paint.”: Saratogian, 5 August 1920, p. 3.

127 Heffernan investigation: NY Times, 10 August 1926, p. 4; NY Times, 11 August 1926, p. 1; NY Times, 12 August 1926, p. 3; NY Times, 1 October 1926, p. 25; Saratogian, 7 August 1917, p. 1; Saratogian, 31 July 1919, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 9 August 1920, p. 1; Saratogian, 18 August 1920, p. 1; Saratogian, 9 August 1926, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 10 August 1926, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 11 August 1926, pp. 1, 2; Saratogian, 12 August 1926, pp. 1, 3; Saratogian, 13 August 1926, p. 1; Bradley, pp. 322-23; Heimer, pp. 209-10. Testifying reluctantly before judge Heffernan was Saratoga Springs Mayor Clarence Knapp, who admitted to visiting both The Brook and the Arrowhead Inn, but claimed he saw no evidence of gambling at either site. Police Chief James L. Sullivan testified that he sent men to inspect such establishments, but they found nothing. “Do you really believe there was no gambling there?” asked Heffernan. “I do,” Sullivan responded, “I took the word of the policemen.”

127 Nick the Greek’s early career: Collier’s, 2 April 1954, p. 73; Collier’s, 16 April 1954, pp. 86-87; Davis, pp. 229-230; http://www.thegoodgambling-guide.co. uk/spotlight/players/nickthegree k. htm;

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sun50/remembers102700.html. Bradley, p. 305; Heimer, p. 213.

128 “As long as the … welcome visitor”: Davis, p. 230; Katcher, pp. 113-14; Rothstein, p. 107.

128 Rosoff: Times [NY], 10 April 1951, p. 27; Saratogian, 23 February 1937; Bradley, p. 313-15; Katcher, pp. 110-13; Hotaling, p. 217.

129 “What color …” … “… is spinning.”: Katcher, p. 112; Bradley, p. 210; Heimer, p. 210; Hotaling, p. 217.

129 Cosden: Bradley, p. 321; Hotaling, p. 217. In March 1965, his son, Joshua Cosden, Jr., became Zsa Zsa Gabor’s fifth husband. They divorced in October 1967.

130 “Colonel, I hear …” … “… pennies every day.”: Katcher, p. 114.

130 $7,500 check: Bradley, p. 316.

130 “I can’t hear you!” … …the money.”: Betts, p. 237; Hotaling, p. 217.

131 “Forget about …” …….. hundred-dollar bill.”: Betts, p. 225-26.

131 Sailing B: NY JournalAmerican, American Weekly, 13 March 1949, p. 11.

131-32”The afternoon’s … box was occupied.”: NY Times, 21 August 1921, Section 8, pp. 1, 3.

133-34”The two got … the afternoon”: ibid; 3; Katcher, pp. 132-35; Hotaling, pp. 218-19; Heimer, pp. 210-12. A. R. later sold Sporting Blood to Bud Fisher, creator of “Mutt and Jeff,” the first successful daily comic strip.

Sporting Blood was the title of a 1931 horse racing film starring Clark Gable as a gambler who owned a racehorse. It was Gable’s first starring role.

134 Nineteen twenty-one was a good year for Redstone Stables. Georgie captured Jamaica’s Interborough Handicap with veteran Bunny Marinelli aboard. Gladiator with Clarence Kummer in the saddle took the Toboggan Stakes at Belmont.