William C. Dodge
Encyclopedia
William Copeland Dodge was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
to Arthur Pillsbury Dodge (1849–1915) and Elizabeth Ann Day (1854–1927). The family moved to Chicago
in 1891, and then to New York City
in 1897. Dodge graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology
, and from New York University School of Law
. He was admitted to the bar in 1906. He later entered politics as a member of Tammany Hall
where his patron was James Joseph Hines
.
(20th D.). As a State Senator he was active in urging an investigation of William Hamilton Anderson of the New York Anti-Saloon League
. In December 1924, he was appointed by district attorney
Joab H. Banton
as an Assistant D.A. In 1927, he was appointed by Mayor James J. Walker as a city magistrate to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Norman J. Marsh.
In November 1933, Dodge was elected New York County District Attorney
with promises to clean up the office by eliminating leaks. Leaks in the prosecution of racketeering cases had earlier led to intimidation of witnesses, thereby allowing more notable criminals to escape prosecution. His plan was to only provide the minimum information to the jury in order to receive an indictment.
was convened for 11 months with minimal prosecutions to investigate gambling in the city. Charges were made that politicians were regularly fixing gambling cases. A memo by Mayor Fiorello Laguardia's office showed that between February 1 and September 30, 1934, 91% of the gambling cases brought by police never even came to trial and of those that did come to trial one third ended in fines usually under $50.
On March 4, 1935, he convened a grand jury to investigate gambling, and in particular the actions of Dutch Schultz
. The grand jury spent its time with other cases and information on witnesses was being leaked. Grand jurors complained that only junior investigators were assigned to them. Gambling kingpins were quoted in the newspapers that they would never be indicted.
The jury complained in open court about the problems on May 7, 1935, which was widely reported by the city newspapers. On May 22, 1935, Dodge agreed to appoint a special prosecutor from a list prepared by the New York County Lawyers Association. He balked at Republican appointees because they were political, and appointed a compromise candidate H.H. Corbin proposed by former Republican Governor Nathan L. Miller despite objections by the jurors. When the juror objections were made public Corbin refused the appointment. The "runaway" grand jury disbanded in June complaining that the cases were not adequately being investigated.
On June 24, 1935 Governor Herbert H. Lehman
said a new investigation would occur. Of the four names that were put forth only Thomas E. Dewey accepted the task. Dewey rocketed to fame with his successful prosecution and defeated Dodge, who ran for re-election, in November 1937.
It remains unclear whether Dodge criminally profited from the events. It was revealed that Gangster Dutch Schultz
paid $15,000 for his election. His patron Hines was quoted in his trial as saying Dodge was "stupid, respectable and my man". Dodge was never formally charged with any wrongdoing.
He died on August 4, 1973 in Lee, Florida
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Early life
He was born on September 6, 1880 Manchester, New HampshireManchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
to Arthur Pillsbury Dodge (1849–1915) and Elizabeth Ann Day (1854–1927). The family moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1891, and then to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1897. Dodge graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology is a technological university located on a campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA – founded in 1870 with an 1868 bequest from Edwin A. Stevens. It is known for its engineering, science, and technological management curricula.The institute has produced leading...
, and from New York University School of Law
New York University School of Law
The New York University School of Law is the law school of New York University. Established in 1835, the school offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in law, and is located in Greenwich Village, in the New York City borough of Manhattan....
. He was admitted to the bar in 1906. He later entered politics as a member of Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
where his patron was James Joseph Hines
James Joseph Hines
James Joseph Hines was one of the most powerful leaders of Tammany Hall in New York City.-Biography:...
.
Political career
In 1918, he was elected to the New York State SenateNew York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
(20th D.). As a State Senator he was active in urging an investigation of William Hamilton Anderson of the New York Anti-Saloon League
New York Anti-Saloon League
The New York Anti-Saloon League was an American organization that worked toward the prohibition of alcohol and the closing of saloons. Located at 156 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, it was an offshoot of the Ohio based Anti-Saloon League. Adna W. Leonard of Buffalo, New York was its president. The...
. In December 1924, he was appointed by district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Joab H. Banton
Joab H. Banton
Joab Hamilton Banton was New York County District Attorney from 1922 to 1929.-Life:...
as an Assistant D.A. In 1927, he was appointed by Mayor James J. Walker as a city magistrate to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Norman J. Marsh.
In November 1933, Dodge was elected New York County District Attorney
New York County District Attorney
The New York County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for New York County , New York. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws....
with promises to clean up the office by eliminating leaks. Leaks in the prosecution of racketeering cases had earlier led to intimidation of witnesses, thereby allowing more notable criminals to escape prosecution. His plan was to only provide the minimum information to the jury in order to receive an indictment.
Runaway grand jury
In 1934, a grand juryGrand jury
A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether a criminal indictment will issue. Currently, only the United States retains grand juries, although some other common law jurisdictions formerly employed them, and most other jurisdictions employ some other type of preliminary hearing...
was convened for 11 months with minimal prosecutions to investigate gambling in the city. Charges were made that politicians were regularly fixing gambling cases. A memo by Mayor Fiorello Laguardia's office showed that between February 1 and September 30, 1934, 91% of the gambling cases brought by police never even came to trial and of those that did come to trial one third ended in fines usually under $50.
On March 4, 1935, he convened a grand jury to investigate gambling, and in particular the actions of Dutch Schultz
Dutch Schultz
Dutch Schultz was a New York City-area Jewish American gangster of the 1920s and 1930s who made his fortune in organized crime-related activities such as bootlegging alcohol and the numbers racket...
. The grand jury spent its time with other cases and information on witnesses was being leaked. Grand jurors complained that only junior investigators were assigned to them. Gambling kingpins were quoted in the newspapers that they would never be indicted.
The jury complained in open court about the problems on May 7, 1935, which was widely reported by the city newspapers. On May 22, 1935, Dodge agreed to appoint a special prosecutor from a list prepared by the New York County Lawyers Association. He balked at Republican appointees because they were political, and appointed a compromise candidate H.H. Corbin proposed by former Republican Governor Nathan L. Miller despite objections by the jurors. When the juror objections were made public Corbin refused the appointment. The "runaway" grand jury disbanded in June complaining that the cases were not adequately being investigated.
On June 24, 1935 Governor Herbert H. Lehman
Herbert H. Lehman
Herbert Henry Lehman was a Democratic Party politician from New York. He was the 45th Governor of New York from 1933 to 1942, and represented New York in the United States Senate from 1950 to 1957.-Lehman Brothers:...
said a new investigation would occur. Of the four names that were put forth only Thomas E. Dewey accepted the task. Dewey rocketed to fame with his successful prosecution and defeated Dodge, who ran for re-election, in November 1937.
It remains unclear whether Dodge criminally profited from the events. It was revealed that Gangster Dutch Schultz
Dutch Schultz
Dutch Schultz was a New York City-area Jewish American gangster of the 1920s and 1930s who made his fortune in organized crime-related activities such as bootlegging alcohol and the numbers racket...
paid $15,000 for his election. His patron Hines was quoted in his trial as saying Dodge was "stupid, respectable and my man". Dodge was never formally charged with any wrongdoing.
He died on August 4, 1973 in Lee, Florida
Lee, Florida
Lee is a town in Madison County, Florida, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
.
Further reading
- Arthur Pillsbury Dodge at Bahai Encyclopedia
- Fighting Organized Crime: Politics, Justice, and the Legacy of Thomas E. Dewey by Mary M. Stolberg (Northeastern, 1995, ISBN 1555532454 ; page 50)
- Kill the Dutchman! - The Story of Dutch Schultz by Paul Sann
- Little Flower: The Life and Times of Fiorello La Guardia by Lawrence Elliott (Morrow, 1983)
- ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE INQUIRY CALLED FOR in NYT on March 4, 1919
- Boy Hunter Uses His Belt as Tourniquet; Saves Life of Chum Shot on Hunting Trip, his son's shooting accident, in NYT on October 26, 1925
- DODGE LONG PROUD OF TAMMANY TIES in NYT on August 3, 1938 (subscription required)