Machine Politics, Organized Crime, and Reform

Photograph of Kansas City organized crime figure Giovanni "John" Blando.

Photograph of City Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, which opened on October 25, 1937.

Portrait of James A. Reed with finger in the air.

Photograph of a daytime rally for Alfred E. Smith and Joe Robinson during the 1928 presidential campaign.

Henry F. McElroy, Kansas City's first city manager and proponent of the Ten Year Plan.

Photograph of Ben Bernie, radio star and musician, with Frank Cromwell and Mayor Bryce Smith and other unidentified men at unidentified location wi

Photograph of the old Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, Missouri, prior to renovations in 1933. Later known as the Truman Courthouse.

Editorial cartoon by S. J. Ray entitled "It Sometimes Looks Like We Hadn't Come Very Far", no date.

Photograph of civic leader Conrad Mann and others seated in a room.

Photograph portrait of Bryce B. Smith. mayor of Kansas City from 1930 to 1939.

Photograph of six men in suits and hats standing in a lot.

Photograph of Mary McElroy who was kidnapped in 1933 at 25 years old and held for ransom.

Photograph of James Balestrere, Kansas City organized crime figure who was involved in bootleg efforts during Prohibition and later owner of the Wh

Portrait of Bryce B. Smith, Mayor of Kansas City MO from 1930-1940. Source: Kansas City Museum (George Fuller Green Collection).

Portrait of Sam B. Strother, Mayor of Kansas City MO in 1922. Source: Kansas City Museum (George Fuller Green Collection).

Photograph of the Boyle-Pryor Construction Company Building near the southeastern city limits at that time.

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