Tag: February 1937
Red Scare in the Soviet Union: Diplomat Defends Moscow Trials
In a shocking display of diplomatic bravado, Soviet Ambassador to the United States Alexander A. Troyanovsky defended the recent trials of alleged Trotskyists in Moscow, claiming they were ‘fair and just.’ Speaking to a Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting in Baltimore on February 26, 1937, the Ambassador dismissed criticisms of the trials, stating that the…
Flood Frenzy: Wind Wreaks Havoc on River Cities
It was a desperate battle against the elements as the mighty Mississippi River unleashed its fury on the city of Memphis, Tennessee, on February 9, 1937. The floodwaters, which had been building up for days, finally crested at a record 48.56 feet, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Meanwhile, in Evansville, Indiana, a…
High-Stakes Heist: $250,000 in Smuggled Drugs Thwarted, But the Trail Runs Cold
On February 7, 1937, a shocking case unfolded in the nation’s capital, exposing the dark underbelly of organized crime. At the center of the debacle was a mysterious woman, whose cunning and wit managed to evade justice for a while, but ultimately led to her downfall. Customs agents had been tracking a massive shipment of…
Mascolo Cracks Down on Waterbury Speakeasy Scourge
On a chilly February morning in 1937, Judge Edward Mascolo brought a much-needed chill to Waterbury’s thriving speakeasy scene. In a bold move, the city court judge imposed a stiff fine of $100 and costs on Anthony Makary, a 45-year-old operator of an unlicensed liquor den at 787 Bank Street. Related Federal Cases Gangsters’ Paradise…
