The Making of Crooks

Druggist Walton, convicted for the sale of doped candy to children, is released from prison through the intercession of Lee O'Neill, a powerful political "boss." Shaking off the qualms of conscience, Walton with protection from O'Neil opens a disreputable pool room. Tony, a young Italian who has met Walton in prison, is released and Walton engages Tony as a pool sharp. The pool room becomes a rendezvous for crooks and boys. Among the young men are Elmer, a bank messenger, and Bingham, the neglected son of wealthy parents. Bingham and Tony at a cabaret meet Hazel O'Neil, daughter of the political "boss." Tony fascinates the girl and they steal Bingham's automobile and leave for a midnight ride. Bingham reports the theft of his car to detective headquarters. As the chase grows hot Tony attempts to drive the car across the railroad track and an approaching locomotive shatters the car. In the terrible accident Hazel O'Neil loses her life. Back of the pool room the detectives, waiting for Tony, recognize two well-known crooks, and thwart them as they are about to hold up Elmer, the bank messenger. Elmer confesses to the authorities that he had learned to ramble at Walton's pool room. The place is raided and every similar resort in the city is closed by the mayor. In the meantime, Tony the pool sharp, who was only stunned in the automobile accident, is, with Elmer, taken into custody.