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rohibition shifted the distribution of power and provided new opportunities, making some people rich. While the government kept watch on the harbors, it was ineffective at patrolling the northern borders. Trucks rolled into the city with whisky every day, and the bootlegging economy boomed. Every so often, the police got it right and stormed into warehouses suspected of storing liquor. The sound of smashing bottles became a routine occurrence.
Mayor La Guardia was elected to clean up the widespread corruption in New York. He initially stood against prohibition, but once in office he had no choice but to uphold the law. Throughout the week, he ordered daily raids, but on Saturdays, he read comics on the radio to the children of New York. His humor and calming voice made him a hero in Joey’s eyes. But he was no hero to his father, Joseph, who was a Mafia captain in charge of the liquor smuggled from Canada. Deliveries to local speakeasies, although risky, produced big profits. Joseph had the protection of “friends,” all of whom had law enforcement officers in their pockets.
During those perilous times, there was a lot of money to be made if you had the stomach for it, and Joseph Finno did. Determination and toughness, along with his association with the Mafia, gave him the power he craved. After gaining the mob’s respect, they recruited him to run the rackets in New York.
When prohibition ended, the country was recovering from the Great Depression that put a hardship on many people. Jobs were scarce at only 25% employment in 1933 and it became harder to survive in the city. Those lucky enough to have a job settled for meager pay.
Crime rose in equal proportion to unemployment and desperation tested the honor of some. There was always the breadline, but some of those who had no tolerance for humbling themselves turned to illegal means. Unsure of who the kingpins were, everyone looked suspicious.
In an attempt at damage control, the Mafia opened soup kitchens for the poor. This made them look more benevolent and gave them good standing in the community. But corruption outweighed the good intentions of the organization, and their reputation for violence instilled fear. The average, law-abiding citizens didn’t have a chance. Those seeking to avoid problems paid a weekly fee of five dollars to the Mafia for protection. They weren’t happy about this forced arrangement, but aware of the consequences. They never spoke out. Those brave few who refused to pay were soon out of business, with no explanation and no redress. More often than not, they found themselves in a financial pinch and paid a visit to Joseph who, for a price, bailed them out.