Whereas a lot of the United States was “dry,” Chicago was “moist”. Even the mayor of Chicago in 1919, William Hale Thompson, said publicly, that he was “wetter than the Atlantic Ocean.” This gave delivery to bootlegging, unlawful manufacturing, distribution and gross sales of “intoxicating liquors.” Rival gangs from throughout Chicago fought over territory. A number of the most well-known Chicago gangsters, like Al Capone, Jonny Torrio, Frank Nitti, Dean O’Banion and George Moran went to conflict over totally different territory, suppliers and distribution facilities.
A lot of the native legislation enforcement was within the pocket of those rival gangsters and can be saved secure. The rise of the Beer Wars ultimately introduced the eye to federal brokers, Eliot Ness and his Untouchables. In keeping with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Particular Agent Eliot Ness is likely one of the most well-known brokers within the historical past of legislation enforcement. He supervised a crew of brokers, towards all odds, and “broke the again of organized crime in Chicago,” in line with the ATF. Chicago was the Crime Capital of the World, and Ness and his crew of brokers that would not be corrupted by the Chicago prison syndicates.
