Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-10-20
(Reprinted From the NcU York Sum
The Rise OF
Pendersast's
PrOtese
Machine Started Harry S. Truman on
Path That May Lead TO White House
BY LUMAN LONG
STAFF Correspondent of the New York Sun
Copyright, is44. All Rights ReseryedJ
KANSAS CITY, Sept. II.

hANOAO I'll I, sept IL.
HARRY TRUMAN Democratic nominee for vice
IA president is the product of perhaps the most
powerful, ruthless and corrupt political machine
in American history-the Pendergast machine of
Kansas City
Except for the fact that THE MACHINE
PICKED HIM UP following his failure in bust
ness, Harry Truman might today be clerk in
Kansas City store or Woodworking farmer in
stead of the Democratic nominee for the second
highest office in the land, and possible future
occupant of the White House.
The Pendergast machine, lOhich collapsed a
little decade later lOhen federal prosecution
exposed its FRAUDULENT PRACTICES and put
its leaders in the penitentary gaining potOer
by leaps and bounds in 1926 rDhen Harry Truman
the Pendergast candidate, elected presiding
Judge of the Jackson County court.
Thomas j. Pepdergast, who is now on parole
from federal prison sentence, was the head man
of political dynasty which controlled the, city
hall in Kansas City, was undisputed master of the
county government, and was extending its tenta-
Giles toward the state capital.
TOM PENDERGAST has travelled long way
since he had come to Kansas City at the age
of % to take job as bouncer and handy man in
his brothers saloon.
He jumped into politics, became deputy
marshal later Democratic ward captain in the
old First Ward, where his brother, jim, was Demo-
cratic boss
Tom quickly demonstrated his ability to get
out the uote and held several offices himself con-
stdntty improving his political prestige.
When his brother died. in 1911 Tom Fender
CAST took his liquor interests, well as the
First Ward political machine which had its head
quarters in the PendergaSt saloon.
He expanded into liquor wholesalng and
BRANCHEU OUT INTO SEVERAL OTHER
TYPES OF BUSINESS.
He spread his political influence to other
wards and by 1916 he overshadowed Joseph B.
Shannon, then the reigning Democratic overload
He soon decided that the way to GREAT
POLITICAL POWER was not through running
for office, but through DEMANDING THAT
CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVED HIS EN-
DORSEMENT SHOULD DO HIS BIDDING.
Using the time honored method of extending aid in
- return for Pendergast spread his control
Kansas City and Jackson County
BY looking after the MATERIAL NEEDS Of his
supporters with neveragging zeal then seeing that
they registered and that they went to the polls
election day ne built and strengthened his powerful ma
BY 1880 when Harry Truman was reelected as pre-
siding judge by whopping majority of $4,000. candi-
dates for state and national offices rekkng to
1908 Main in Kansas City where the boss main
tanned his office, to seek Pendergast's support.
WHEN his second term neared its expiration, Judge
w Truman decided to seek county job which carried
lucrative fees
In the spring of 1884 he went to Pendergast and
asked to be put on the Democratic ticket for county
collector.
NO." the boss is reported have replied "The best
can do Harry is United States senaorship; hows
that"
Pendergast told newspaperman later that the rea-
he picked Truman for the Senate ito prove that
can put my office boy in the Senate if want to-"
At any rate, it is generally believed that he named
Truman who virtually unknown outside Jackson
County to DEMONSTRATE THE MAGNITUDE OF
HIS POLITICAL POWER.
1t is certain that Truman flabbergasted at this
turn Of events
TO WIN the Democratic nomination for Judge Truman
appeared likely to be large order for the Pen
dergast machine.
His opponents in the 1884 primary were two we'll
known congressman, Jacob L. tTuck) Mligan and John
j. Cochran.
Rep Milgan, who had asked but FAILED TO RE-
CEIVE the Pendergast blessing for his candidacy had
enlisted the powerful support of Senator Clark
When the primary returns from Jackson County
in there doubt to who the Demo-
cratic nominee for United States senator.
The Pendergdst machine had outdone itself, and
Judge Truman received 1877, 900 in the county,
Iuhle his tOo opponents got only little than
10000 betUeen them.
Riding the crest of the New Deal tide Judge Truman