Chapter 11 - 011 | Rising Momentum Of Gangs
The gangs at that time were just a group of poor people, and they weren't taken seriously by anyone.
It was not until later that special groups called "Families" began to emerge. ??
They were "professionals" that came into being after the rise of the industrial society, and their main responsibility is to raise campaign funds for political party candidates and to buy votes for their elections.
In the past, no one would have valued those immigrant groups because of their low status and poverty.
But the "Families" keenly discovered their value, and the gangs formed by the workers at the beginning gradually changed.
One got loads of rum to drink, and the other provided stable votes to politicians.
The two sides hit it off!
However, no one expected the follow-up development.
"Prohibition" provided a lot of wealth to these gangs, coupled with the rise of labor unions, labor movements also became frequent.
[Prohibition was a nationwide ban on the sale and import of alcoholic beverages that lasted from 1920 to 1933. But it's smuggling gave a lot of wealth to the gangs and families]
These gangsters had finally found a place in the social order!
On one hand they had loads of wealth, while on the other they had the backing of politicians because of their power to generate votes.
All this played a big role in the rise of gangsters.
Like the Irish gang which Uncle Frank was part of, they had a very close relationship with the senior executive of the National Brotherhood of Truck Drivers, Mr. Jimmy Hoffa.
[Note: Teamsters.]
This union represented nearly one million truck drivers and warehouse workers, and later reached 2.3 million members at its peak.
It can be said that if you one was running for mayor or councilor and if they can get help from the union, then it was already a win for them.
Gangs, labor unions, and politicians come together in a tight chain of interests.
"It's a pity that this glory won't last long" Luke silently mulled over it.
Whether it is Irish or Italian.
Their power was only temporary.
Even if the former succeeded in electing Kennedy as the president, and the latter had close ties with Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI.
It was just that the gangsters are, after all, a deformed product of social order.
With the end of World War II, they will inevitably decline and will be reduced to tools in the hands of politicians and the rich. It would be difficult to regain the glory of the past.
'In marvel, a gangster has no future. Even if he becomes a Godfather or Family Head!'
These were Luke's inner thoughts.
Seeing Luke's indifferent look, Frank finally lost his cool.
"Why are you so stubborn? Can't you just do what I ask? Join the gang and you will have a secure future, you will be able to take my seat. Why don't you want to? Stop wasting your life! The world won't accept you for nothing!"
He had a good relationship with Mr. Jimmy Hoffa of the National Brotherhood of Truck Drivers and he didn't wish to ruin it. After retiring, he may get a seat as the honorary president at a branch in the union.
Although it was just a position with no power, he was going to get a good salary every month.
If Luke joined the gang, then there was a chance that Mr. Hoffa may help out Luke in settling in his life.
"Uncle Frank, don't worry about me. Here, cover yourself with a blanket, it's still cold outside!"
Luke didn't refute, and put a thick blanket on Frank's legs with a grin.
If he followed Captain America and joined the Howling Commandos, he might really be a war hero!
Unfortunately, even if one becomes a hero, he is still a tool or a mascot in the eyes of politicians and the rich.
So Luke had another idea.
…
Meanwhile, at a military camp somewhere in New York.
In the conference room, the female officer is reporting about the incident at the conscription station to her boss.
"— Colonel Phillips, I think that guy named Luke Cavill has a problem!"
…