Episode Summary: Dan Slater - The Incorruptibles

Title: Dan Slater - The Incorruptibles
Host/Author: Smead Capital Management
Release Date: September 16, 2024

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of A Book with Legs, hosted by Cole Smead of Smead Capital Management, listener are introduced to Dan Slater, the author of The Incorruptibles. The conversation delves into the intricate history of Jewish immigrants in New York City's garment district during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, exploring themes of labor unrest, political corruption, vice, and personal legacy.

Dan Slater’s Background and Inspiration

Dan Slater shares his personal journey, growing up in Minnesota before moving to New York City for college and remaining there ever since. His deep-seated love for NYC's history and his discovery of ancestral ties to the Lower East Side inspired him to write The Incorruptibles. Slater highlights how his background as a lawyer trained in film and his extensive writing experience for major publications shaped his narrative approach.

Dan Slater [01:59]: "I thought, hey, if I become a writer someday, I would like to write about the history of the city. And I think that's where this project really began."

The Garment Industry in 1890s New York

The discussion begins with an exploration of the garment industry's pivotal role in 1890s New York. Slater paints a vivid picture of the Lower East Side as the heart of garment production, supplying approximately 80% of America's clothing. This era, marked by the waning days of the Gilded Age, was rife with labor strikes and significant tensions between factory owners and immigrant workers.

Dan Slater [04:00]: "The Lower east side, literally supplied the country with its clothing."

Labor vs. Factory Owners

Slater delves into the struggle between labor and management, highlighting the harsh working conditions—80-hour workweeks, lack of minimum wage, and absence of safety regulations. Factory owners exploited the massive immigrant labor pool, often laying off workers during slack seasons with minimal compensation, fueling widespread dissatisfaction and unrest.

Tammany Hall’s Role and Corruption

A central theme of the episode is Tammany Hall's influence in New York politics. Slater explains how Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine, maintained control through corruption and alliances with underworld figures. The organization received payoffs from various criminal enterprises, securing immigrant votes and perpetuating political dominance.

Dan Slater [07:13]: "Tammany hall was essentially the Democratic Party in New York State and based in New York City."

Jewish Immigrants and Their Influence

The influx of Eastern European Jewish immigrants bolstered Tammany Hall's power. These immigrants, adept at organizing and familiar with underworld operations from their homeland, formed a symbiotic relationship with the political machine. Their organizational skills and substantial population made them invaluable assets in Tammany Hall's efforts to maintain control.

Vice and Prostitution in the Lower East Side

Slater provides a harrowing account of vice and prostitution that permeated the Lower East Side. Brothels were ubiquitous, even adjacent to community institutions like soup kitchens and synagogues. This pervasive vice was both a survival mechanism for many immigrant women and a lucrative enterprise for those involved in organized crime.

Dan Slater [14:33]: "There were brothels everywhere. There were brothels next to soup kitchens. There were brothels above and below synagogues, next to wedding halls."

The Rise of Abe Schoenfeld and Reform Efforts

Central to The Incorruptibles is Abe Schoenfeld, the son of Mayor Meyer Schoenfeld, a prominent reformer. Abe inherits his father's drive to eradicate vice and improve labor conditions, despite facing challenges from a corrupt police force and entrenched criminal networks. His efforts symbolize the struggle for moral reform within a deeply corrupt system.

The Connection to Modern Issues

Slater draws parallels between historical and contemporary issues, such as labor unrest, corruption, and the regulation of vice. He reflects on how the unchecked power of corporations during the Gilded Age contributed to societal disruption, a theme that resonates with today's discussions on economic inequality and regulatory challenges.

Legacy and Personal Responsibility

A poignant theme throughout the episode is the impact of individual actions on community legacy. Through characters like Abe and Tony, Slater illustrates how personal decisions reverberate through families and communities, emphasizing the collective responsibility to rectify past wrongs and build a better future.

Dan Slater [59:16]: "The decisions we individually make... are very important. We do not live in a vacuum."

Influence on Literature: The Great Gatsby

Slater explores Arnold Rothstein's influence on popular culture, particularly F. Scott Fitzgerald's character Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby. He explains how Rothstein's real-life persona inspired Wolfsheim, capturing the essence of a corrupt yet charismatic figure that transcends into literary fame.

Dan Slater [68:05]: "I do believe that Fitzgerald captured the essence of Rothstein through Meyer Wolfsheim."

Concluding Thoughts

In wrapping up, Slater emphasizes the enduring relevance of his historical narrative, highlighting the ongoing struggle between reform and corruption. He expresses hopes for adapting The Incorruptibles into a television series, aiming to bring these complex, multifaceted stories to a broader audience.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Slater [07:13]: "Tammany hall was essentially the Democratic Party in New York State and based in New York City."
• Dan Slater [14:33]: "There were brothels everywhere. There were brothels next to soup kitchens. There were brothels above and below synagogues, next to wedding halls."
• Dan Slater [59:16]: "The decisions we individually make... are very important. We do not live in a vacuum."
• Dan Slater [68:05]: "I do believe that Fitzgerald captured the essence of Rothstein through Meyer Wolfsheim."

Conclusion

This episode of A Book with Legs offers a compelling exploration of The Incorruptibles, shedding light on the tumultuous history of Jewish immigrants in New York City's garment district. Through Dan Slater's insightful narratives, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between labor, corruption, and personal legacy, drawing meaningful connections to present-day societal challenges.

For those intrigued by this discussion, The Incorruptibles by Dan Slater is a must-read, providing a nuanced perspective on history's impact on modern-day America.