Mackerels in the moonlight
Subtitle: four corrupt American mayors
By: Gerald Leinwand.
Publisher: McFarland
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Jefferson, N.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 274
Subjects: Thompson, William Hale, 1869-1944.; Hague, Frank, 1876-1956.; Walker, James John, 1881-1946.; Curley, James Michael, 1874-1958.; Mayors -- United States -- Biography.; Political corruption -- United States -- Case studies.; United States -- Politics and government -- Case studies.
Genres: Biography.; Case studies.
Description: "Four of America's most corrupt mayors and their shady dealings are covered in this work. "Big Bill" Thompson, who was mayor of Chicago three times, is considered America's worst mayor, having, among other questionable activities, accepted support from gangster Al Capone. Frank Hague of Jersey City described his town as the "moralest city in the nation" and banished prostitution and pornography, but the ran his city as a mini-dictatorship and allowed it to become a gambling mecca. Jimmy Walker of New York City was a "good time" mayor and did well as the city prospered, but cared little for the city's money and his own when the Great Depression struck. James Michael Curley of Boston openly asserted that "politics is my business" and flaunted a lavish home built entirely at the public's expense, but was elected again and again, once while still in jail."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 263-264) and index.