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By Anthony Olszewski
COPYRIGHT 2002
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Frank Hague was Mayor of Jersey City from May 15, 1917 until his retirement on June 17, 1947. His name is synonymous with that early 20th century urban American blend of political favoritism and social welfare known as bossism.
It's generally conceded that Hague's influence was a not insignificant factor in the election of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Many of Frank Hague's activities were, in a narrow sense, not illegal, for no relevant laws were then in place. Hague ruled during an era of massive social upheaval: unrestrained capitalism, violent labor movements, economic depression, and world war. Organized crime grew ever more powerful. Foreign isms attempted to gain American support. The social safety net basically did not exist. During this period Jersey City was relatively calm. Hague was succeeded by his nephew, Eggers. The next elected Mayor was John V. Kenny. For the next twenty-four years, through a number of puppets, John V. Kenny wielded a political machine of unprecedented venality and corruption. Organized crime figures, in effect, became a shadow government. Jersey City was in a tailspin. John V. Kenny and his cronies were finally ousted in 1971 by convictions in a federal court.
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