Evening star., 1951-05-01

central figure in Kansas City gam.
bling circles and also controlled
IAN important segment" of the
Icity's Democratic vote before hi
was shot down in April, 1850. II
added that although Binaggio sup
ported Gov. Smith in the 194s
election there was mo substan-
tial evidence" that Gov. Smith
made any commitments to Binag-
gio or that Binaggio succeeded ir
opening up the city.
Makes Sharp Reference.
However, the committee saio
acidly:
1T is uncomfortable that Gov
Smith, being an experienced
politician, could have failed to
know of Binaggio's background
or that Binaggio expected quid
pro quo something in return fol
his support. Smiths assertions
under oath that he did not dis
cuss politics with Binaggio. OF
discuss Binaggio's expectations
are simply not credible"
None of the stories Of the com.
mittee's findings in any of the Il
cities were presented in anything
like the details contained in it!
analysis of conditions in New
York.
The report said the COMMITTEES
found it necessary to present "tht
stories of O'Dwyer and Costello ir
detail because they illustrate Sc
dramatically one of the major
factors that must be overcome be.
fore substantial progress can bt
made III dealing with organized
crime
when racketeers and gangsters
have great influence in selecting
public officials" the report added
they can paralyze law enforce.
ment. Unless such influence i.
eliminated, gangsterism and rack.
lettering will flourish in any com.
munity"
Costello Influence Called Sinister.
| The report emphasized the com
mittee's belief that Costello, de-
spite all his protestations to tn,
contrary, was power in New
York City Democratic politics. I
fatty described such influence a
sinister" and added:
There can be no question tina
Frank Costello has exercised /,
major influence upon the New
York County Democratic organ
ization, through Tammany Hall
because of his personal friend
ships and working relations will
its officers, and with Democrat
district leaders even today in 1
of the 16 Manhattan districts
Costello also had relationship
with some Republican politics
leaders.
AS for the sinister" aspects @
CoStello's activities, the commit
tee reported that its New Yor
hearings demonstrated that Cos
= tello has CLOSE personal relation;
/ working relationships, and mu
tual financial interests" with lead
i ing racketeers throughout tn
country. It reiterated it's previou
, report that Costello, Adonis an
r Meyer Lansky form "the easter
) axis" of a combination of rack
eteers working throughout tn
Nation"
; Then, turning to Mr.. ODwye
= the committee said that despite HI
frequent public caStigations" {
! Tammany Hall and his acknowl
S edgment that Costello was "a sir
q lister influence" the AmbassadC
e had been ION terms of intimat
v friendship with persons who WEI
d close friends of Costello"
f Many of his intimate friends
the report added. were also clos
n friends of racketeer Joe Adonis.
e O'Dwyer Activities Reviewed.
The report reviewed il deta
S Mr.. O'Dwyer's activities as Di'
trict Attorney and Mayor.
l.. His defense of public off1cia
e who were derelict in their duti'
y and his actions in investigation
= of corruption and his failure
: follow up concrete evidence of Of
it ganized crime, particularly in tt
If case of Murder. Inc.," the repo
is said. have contributed to tt
lie growth of organized crime, racl
eteering and gangsterism in Ne
h York City"
h To support its contentit
J. tnat neither Mr.. O'Dwyer nor h
N appointees took any effective a
,e ton against "the top echelon
rs of the criminal world, the con
lmittee went into considerable d
L Sail about Murder, Inc, the Br0
d. yn mob of several years ago tn
III killed for hire and for ganglal
eS lreVenge.