Gangsters spent a lot of time in police line ups. Either alone or with their cohorts, if the police saw one of New York City’s infamous characters; it was down to the station for pictures and questions under the klieg lights.

For the most part it was all for show. Both the police and the gangsters knew nothing would come from these routine pick ups. Each side played its part. The police would question the gangster and the gangster would lie. Everyone would have a good laugh, then the gangster would be on his way.

The biggest hoot came when the gangster was asked his occupation. The Detectives knew very well that their occupations were that of killer, mobster and racketeer but the gangsters never failed to entertain.

Some sample "occupations":

• Monk Eastman – “Pigeon dealer”
• Owney Madden – “Investigator”
• Frankie Uale – “Undertaker”
• Legs Diamond – “Car salesman”
• Vincent Coll – “Out of work brick Layer”
• Salvatore Spitale – “A layer of odds”
• Vannie Higgins – “Lobsterman”

Vannie Higgins