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HISTORY OF ORGANIZED CRIME - 1920-1945

NCJ Number
47389
Author(s)
M H HALLER
Date Published
1976
Length
67 pages
Annotation
AFTER A HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF POST-CIVIL WAR GAMBLING EMPIRES, THE INTERACTION OF BOOTLEGGERS AND GAMBLERS TO BUILD CRIME SYNDICATES IS DETAILED.
Abstract
PREVIOUS HISTORIES OF ORGANIZED CRIME HAVE CONCENTRATED ON NEW YORK AND CHICAGO AND HAVE BEEN CHIEFLY CONCERNED WITH WHO KILLED WHOM. THIS HISTORY LOOKS AT THE MANAGERIAL, FINANCIAL, AND ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF GAMBLING OPERATIONS, BOOTLEGGING OPERATIONS, AND THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS WHICH FORM THE FOUNDATION OF ORGANIZED CRIME TODAY. IN NEW YORK AND CHICAGO, BOOTLEGGERS TOOK OVER GAMBLING OPERATIONS EXTENSIVELY. IN OTHER CITIES, THE TWO CRIME ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED INDEPENDENTLY, MAKING CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER ONLY FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT. WHEN PROHIBITION STARTED IN 1920, GAMBLING IN THE U.S. WAS WELL ESTABLISHED, WITH LEADING FIGURES OWNING CASINOS, LUXURIOUS GAMBLING BOATS, HORSERACE PARLORS, AND RACETRACKS. BOOTLEGGING WAS A NEW FIELD WHICH ATTRACTED YOUNG MEN FROM THE SLUMS, MOSTLY OF JEWISH AND ITALIAN ORIGIN. THESE YOUNG UPSTARTS BOUGHT INTO GAMBLING OPERATIONS AS THE ESTABLISHED GAMBLING LEADERS DIED. AT THE SAME TIME, THE NUMBERS BUSINESS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG BLACKS, WHO LATER MERGED WITH BOOTLEGGERS POSSESSING GREATER CAPITAL. POPULAR LITERATURE HAS OVEREMPHASIZED 'GANG MEETINGS' AND IGNORED THE FACT THAT MOST EAST COAST GAMBLERS AND BOOTLEGGERS VACATIONED IN FLORIDA; HAD EXTENSIVE TELEPHONE CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER; AND VISITED FACILITIES IN CANADA AND CUBA WHICH MANUFACTURED ALCOHOL, WAREHOUSED IT, AND PROVIDED LOADING PORTS. THE EXTENSIVE CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, TRUCKS, SHIPS, RUNNING BOATS, AND OTHER EQUIPMENT IS DETAILED. THE DEVELOPMENT OF GAMBLING IN NEVADA, THE RISE OF LAS VEGAS AS A GAMBLING EMPIRE, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF GAMBLING IN SMALLER CITIES CONCLUDES THIS REPORT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. (GLR)