The 1950s Recruitment Fiasco

[B.]

This might be treading on territory we've talked about before, but as we learn more I feel there is more to discuss.

The books were closed by 1958, with the last ceremonies probably happening in 1957. That much is a fact. It's a myth, however, that the books were reopened in 1954 for the first time since the 1930s, as there were a number of New Jersey members being made in the mid-1940s and JD has also found info about NYC ceremonies happening during the late 1940s and early 1950s. So it looks like the books were closed (possibly with rare exceptions, though I know of none) from ~1931 until ~1945 to help stabilize the families. The books were then more or less open from ~1945 until ~1958.

Multiple informants told the FBI that one of the topics of discussion intended for the Appalachin meeting was Vito Genovese proposing that they "throw out" certain newer members who did not deserve membership. Two different informants said that the plan would be to simply tell these members that the organization was being disbanded and to forget about their membership, but one of these informants did say that they would consider using these ex-members as associates.

All of this follows the rumors that Frank Scalise and/or Albert Anastasia were selling memberships during the 1950s. On wiretaps in NJ from the 1960s, Genovese members also discussed how Gambino members like Willie Malanga were indiscriminately recruiting new members.

Now, I'm not sure where these rumors about Scalise (who is usually mentioned as the one selling memberships) and sometimes Anastasia come from. I also don't know if they were ever substantiated, as there were a lot of political schemes and disputes going on in the background and it seems that selling memberships could have easily been used as an excuse for what happened. What is significant to me though is that these rumors about selling memberships and indiscriminate recruiting always seem to be centered on the Gambino family (interesting too that Carlo Gambino would later be so opposed to opening the books).

Since the Appalachin meeting was a disaster, it doesn't seem that Genovese's supposed plan for shelving members was discussed, though I know a few names have been mentioned on the boards as having bought their memberships and/or been shelved. A Lucchese informant reported that Lucchese members were discouraged from being introduced as members to other families unless it was absolutely necessary, likely for their own protection. I can't recall if this was something that Lucchese members were told before Appalachin or not, though.

One thing to note is that the idea of unqualified members being made seems to have been around forever, long before the 1950s and up to present day. I'd consider this "Damn kids!" syndrome, as it seems every generation thinks that the younger generations are less disciplined, lack the same values, etc.

My questions are:

- What was the evidence for Scalise and/or Anastasia selling memberships? Where did the rumor, whether true or not, come from?

- Is there anything else that backs up this idea that Genovese wanted to shelve unqualified members?

- Are there any examples of members who were "officially" deemed unqualified (whether they allegedly bought memberships or not)?

[B.]

A couple other things:

- Did the families actually "expand" during the 1950s? That's been the assumption because they were making a lot of new members, but is there anything to back that up? I am thinking the Jersey inductions of the 1940s might have been an expansion (especially if it related to the Newark family breaking up), but the Colombos for example didn't expand in the 1950s (around 110 members when Joe Colombo took over). The Luccheses don't seem to have, either. Not sure on the others.

- Could Carlo Gambino's opposition to making new members come partially from the trouble that the Gambino family got into in the 1950s?

[Angelo Santino]

I've wondered all this myself and have the same questions.

Didn't the Colombos go through an expansion with boss Joe Colombo or somewhere during that era? Going back to the 1950's when you map out where everyone lived you'll find the Genoveses, Bonannos, Gambinos and Luccheses in every borough of New York. The Profaci's however, kept it to Brooklyn and Long Island. They don't appear to have ever had any significant or long term influence in Manhattan or the Bronx. I have no idea why the Profaci's stayed in Brooklyn. Was this a long ago arrangement between D'Aquila and Mineo or just a coincidence?

[TommyGambino]

I've wondered all this myself and have the same questions.

Didn't the Colombos go through an expansion with boss Joe Colombo or somewhere during that era? Going back to the 1950's when you map out where everyone lived you'll find the Genoveses, Bonannos, Gambinos and Luccheses in every borough of New York. The Profaci's however, kept it to Brooklyn and Long Island. They don't appear to have ever had any significant or long term influence in Manhattan or the Bronx. I have no idea why the Profaci's stayed in Brooklyn. Was this a long ago arrangement between D'Aquila and Mineo or just a coincidence?

Interesting post Chris, I've always wondered about this. I'm sure HK or one of the other historians will have some info.

[B.]

I've wondered all this myself and have the same questions.

Didn't the Colombos go through an expansion with boss Joe Colombo or somewhere during that era? Going back to the 1950's when you map out where everyone lived you'll find the Genoveses, Bonannos, Gambinos and Luccheses in every borough of New York. The Profaci's however, kept it to Brooklyn and Long Island. They don't appear to have ever had any significant or long term influence in Manhattan or the Bronx. I have no idea why the Profaci's stayed in Brooklyn. Was this a long ago arrangement between D'Aquila and Mineo or just a coincidence?

The Colombo regime was still very much rooted in Bensonhurst and South Brooklyn, with some branches in Staten Island, the Jersey crew, and a few guys in other areas. No members were made while Joe Colombo was boss.

[HairyKnuckles]

This might be treading on territory we've talked about before, but as we learn more I feel there is more to discuss.


One thing to note is that the idea of unqualified members being made seems to have been around forever, long before the 1950s and up to present day. I'd consider this "Damn kids!" syndrome, as it seems every generation thinks that the younger generations are less disciplined, lack the same values, etc.

My questions are:

- What was the evidence for Scalise and/or Anastasia selling memberships? Where did the rumor, whether true or not, come from?

- Is there anything else that backs up this idea that Genovese wanted to shelve unqualified members?

- Are there any examples of members who were "officially" deemed unqualified (whether they allegedly bought memberships or not)?

There were some informants in the early 1960s talking about members who had been initiated but unqualified and not worthy of membership. But I don´t think any specific reasons for their unworthiness were explained. Informants talked about that these men would probably be thrown out of the Mafia. Perhaps JD has some info on this, but I don´t think that I have ever seen (on MF or documents found/obtained elsewhere) any specific names being mentioned regarding this. I´m sure there were a lot of members who were considered not worthy but these views may have been reflections of what the informants felt about certain members. Perhaps they had beefs with them or were just jealous of their success?

I think the rumors on Scalise/Anastasia selling memberships started with Valachi. I think he mentioned it during the hearings and during the debriefings prior to the hearings. Some of the debriefings can be found on MF. I have no clue if Valachi was correct, or if he just embellished the selling of membership thing. In many ways, he strikes me as someone who wants to be more important than he really was, giving answers to questions he really didn´t know that much about. Who knows, the selling of memberships could have been just a rumor he had picked up from the street, going from mouth to mouth before reaching him? And who knows, it could have been just an excuse from Anastasia so he could get rid of Scalise. The reason why I´m sceptical about it is that it just don´t seem right. A boss and an underboss selling memberships, in that time and age...what a disgrace! Don Vito Cascioferro would be turning in his grave if he knew.

So funny! Some time ago they found a plaque with the description saying mankind is doomed and the world is about to end because the younger generation lacks discipline, lacks the same values and can not be reasoned with. They determined the plaque originated from a time way before the birth of Christ!

[Pogo The Clown]

Didn't one of the Bonannos mention people buying their memberships in one of their books? My memory is hazy but I think one of them may have mentioned it.


Pogo

[Ed]

Didn't one of the Bonannos mention people buying their memberships in one of their books? My memory is hazy but I think one of them may have mentioned it.

In Bound by Honor, Bill Bonanno wrote that one of Anastasia's capos was selling memberships. Bonanno doesn't give a name but I guess he's likely referring to Scalise. Bonanno says Anastasia wasn't involved in the sale. (I wonder why he doesn't mention Scalise by name? Was he protecting Scalise's reputation for some reason, or was the capo someone other than Scalise? Would Scalise be considered a capo or underboss?)

The Lucchese informant from the late 1960s that shows up in MF also mentioned that memberships were sold in the Anastasia Crime Family. He mentions a couple of guys who allegedly bought their way in so it suggests he had firsthand info and it wasn't hearsay or something he just heard from the Valachi Hearings.

[B.]

I can't remember where I read about Anastasia allegedly selling memberships, but I know it was mentioned somewhere. Scalise is usually named as the culprit, which is surprising considering he was one of the older Sicilian members of the family and not one of the younger "Americanized" guys.

Also, you have to wonder how this info would have come out. Did guys go around comparing notes, i.e. "How much did you pay old man Cheech for your button?"

Ed... I remember we had a topic on the old board about the administration spots of the Gambinos. It's confusing.

Biondo was consigliere in 1931, but seems to have lost the spot by the time Anastasia took over and was a capo, only to become underboss for Gambino. Bill Bonanno refers to both Carlo Gambino and Scalise as consigliere during the 1950s in his last book. Magaddino also refers to Carlo Gambino as the consigliere around the time of Anastasia's death. Toto Chirico, Nino Conte, and Scalise have all been mentioned as underbosses under Anastasia. Scalise is also mentioned as a capo during the 1950s.

[Bruno187]

Not surprisingly, most of the guys that were rumored to have paid Scalise for their buttons were centered in the Bronx, particularly the Belmont section. They are all gone now, from natural causes, but their fates were up in the air for a while from what I was told growing up. The figure that I heard tossed around was 50K.
Most went on to lead rather "normal" lives, at least for button guys....having businesses, being union delegates, and other pretty un-remarkable careers whether fully involved in criminal activity or just marginally so.

[HairyKnuckles]

Didn't one of the Bonannos mention people buying their memberships in one of their books? My memory is hazy but I think one of them may have mentioned it.


Pogo

It was Pistone who said in one of his follow up books that Joey D´Amico´s mother bought her son a botton. If Pistone was not outright lying, it could actually mean that D´Amico´s mother paid off loans he owned which cleared his way to become made and that this somehow was translated into "D´Amico bought his button".

[B.]

Didn't one of the Bonannos mention people buying their memberships in one of their books? My memory is hazy but I think one of them may have mentioned it.


Pogo

It was Pistone who said in one of his follow up books that Joey D´Amico´s mother bought her son a botton. If Pistone was not outright lying, it could actually mean that D´Amico´s mother paid off loans he owned which cleared his way to become made and that this somehow was translated into "D´Amico bought his button".

I'm willing to bet that was just a rumor because of his young age. The guy's whole family was involved in the Bonanno family and his uncle reported directly to the administration.

[Lupara]

I've always wondered what happened to the guys who bought their membership and whether anyone has identified who these individuals were. I imagine that buying membership could warrant a death sentence.

[johnny_scootch]

Could be these guys 'bought' their button in the same way John Staluppi bought his.

[B.]

Many members have been made because they indirectly "bought" their button by being generous earners, but in the 1950s the accusation is that they were straight up sold. You have to figure these "customers" were already associates, though, otherwise they wouldn't have been in a position to make the "purchase".