Earlier in the golden age a nondescript mobster like Spats Mahoney would probably have been pummeled to deal by a zealous hero, but the Flame is governed by Comics Code rules and arrests him instead.
References: [The Flame #1] [1954] [mob boss; foiled and captured by the Flame; “Okay, you did a good job tonight, boys, but I’m tired of this slow way. We’ve got to get rid of sable herself! And tonight’s the night!”; ]
Metahuman Database 