THE AUTHORITY OF A POLITICAL MACHINE MAY BE CHALLENGED BY THE THREAT OF A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO ITS MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. VARIOUS METHODS HAVE BEEN USED BY POLITICAL MACHINES TO PREVENT SUCH AN INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING CONTROLLING THE CENTERS FROM WHICH INVESTIGATIONS ORIGINATE (I.E., PROSECUTING OFFICES OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY, LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES, AND SOME NONOFFICIAL AGENCIES); PAYING FOR EXPENSIVE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING OR BRIBING NEWSPAPER EDITORS TO DELETE UNFAVORABLE REMARKS FROM ARTICLES, INSTITUTING LITIGATION, CONTROLLING THE DISBURSING AGENCIES AND THUS THE FUNDS NEEDED TO CARRY ON AN INVESTIGATION, AND MAKING THREATS OF VIOLENCE OR BLACKMAIL. SOCIAL PRESSURES, MURDER, AND WITHDRAWAL OF ADVERTISING FROM NEWSPAPERS ALSO HAVE BEEN USED. OTHER PROCEDURES ARE USED ONCE AN INQUIRY IS IN PROGRESS, SUCH AS FORCING WITNESSES TO FLEE THE JURISDICTION OR PERJURE THEMSELVES, DESTROYING DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OR KEEPING IT BEYOND THE REACH OF THE INVESTIGATING AUTHORITY, MAINTAINING THE MORALE OF THE INVESTIGATEES AND CREATING ALIBIS FOR THEM, AND INTIMIDATING WITNESSES. EXAMPLES ARE USED TO ILLUSTRATE HOW THESE TACTICS WORK, AS WELL AS THE OVERALL PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURES EXERTED BY THE POLITICAL MACHINE ON INDIVIDUALS. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (PRG)