THE BOSS: Machine Politics in Action

by Dayton David Mokean ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 17, 1940

This is a lucid expose of a big city boss, in the key of Lincoln Steffen's Shame of the Cities, an analytical and incisive account of the rise and glory (?) of Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City. With considerable background material, the methods and techniques of corrupt city government are shown, how a dictatorship works in a big city through fraud and intimidation. Ironically enough, Hague, product of organized crime and organized capital, was put into power by both, and then went on to crush them. One might wish that Hague's connections with crime and with business bosses were more fully detailed -- here lies the weakness of the book. Hague is news -- bad news -- the country over, which makes this more than a local item.

Pub Date: Sept. 17, 1940

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1940

Categories: NONFICTION