CORRUPTION CENTRAL: PETER P. McDONOUGH - Revision history

Ccarlsson: moved photo from here to Issel/Cherny page

2021-11-05T06:13:43Z

moved photo from here to Issel/Cherny page

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:13, 4 November 2021
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	''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library''		''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library''

	~~[[Image:McDonough-Bailbonds-on-Kearny-D.01.jpg\|800px]]~~

	~~'''Right across the street from the Hall of Justice on Kearny.'''~~

	~~''Photo: Bancroft Library''~~

	Picking up in the wake of the discredited [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Boss Ruef Machine]], Peter McDonough and his brother Tom, owners of a saloon at Kearny and Clay, became the central leaders of San Francisco crime life in the period 1910-1941. Al Capone was quoted as saying, "the more lucrative forms of crime were so highly organized and well protected that outsiders couldn't break into San Francisco." McDonough's quiet, unobtrusive, efficient and locally-owned management of the vice trade included ample protection from all levels of the police department, which perhaps explains why the city was spared the violent gangland confrontations that plagued eastern cities.		Picking up in the wake of the discredited [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Boss Ruef Machine]], Peter McDonough and his brother Tom, owners of a saloon at Kearny and Clay, became the central leaders of San Francisco crime life in the period 1910-1941. Al Capone was quoted as saying, "the more lucrative forms of crime were so highly organized and well protected that outsiders couldn't break into San Francisco." McDonough's quiet, unobtrusive, efficient and locally-owned management of the vice trade included ample protection from all levels of the police department, which perhaps explains why the city was spared the violent gangland confrontations that plagued eastern cities.

Ccarlsson: added photo

2020-07-16T05:37:30Z

added photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:37, 15 July 2020
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	''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library''		''Photo: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library''

			[[Image:McDonough-Bailbonds-on-Kearny-D.01.jpg\|800px]]

			'''Right across the street from the Hall of Justice on Kearny.'''

			''Photo: Bancroft Library''

	Picking up in the wake of the discredited [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Boss Ruef Machine]], Peter McDonough and his brother Tom, owners of a saloon at Kearny and Clay, became the central leaders of San Francisco crime life in the period 1910-1941. Al Capone was quoted as saying, "the more lucrative forms of crime were so highly organized and well protected that outsiders couldn't break into San Francisco." McDonough's quiet, unobtrusive, efficient and locally-owned management of the vice trade included ample protection from all levels of the police department, which perhaps explains why the city was spared the violent gangland confrontations that plagued eastern cities.		Picking up in the wake of the discredited [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Boss Ruef Machine]], Peter McDonough and his brother Tom, owners of a saloon at Kearny and Clay, became the central leaders of San Francisco crime life in the period 1910-1941. Al Capone was quoted as saying, "the more lucrative forms of crime were so highly organized and well protected that outsiders couldn't break into San Francisco." McDonough's quiet, unobtrusive, efficient and locally-owned management of the vice trade included ample protection from all levels of the police department, which perhaps explains why the city was spared the violent gangland confrontations that plagued eastern cities.

Ccarlsson: added photo

2018-09-12T22:29:44Z

added photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 12 September 2018
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	[http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/ ''Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives (P09936)'']		[http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/ ''Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives (P09936)'']

			[[Image:HALL-OF-JUSTICE-1912-1968----750-Kearny-Street-facing-Portsmouth-Square.jpg]]

			'''Old Hall of Justice at 750 Kearny Street facing Portsmouth Square.'''

			''Photo: Bancroft Library''

	He soon expanded into protection and it was commonly acknowledged in the press that McDonough's organization was bribing everyone in sight. A grand jury concluded "No one can conduct a prostitution or gambling enterprise in San Francisco with the approval direct or indirect of the McDonough brothers." When Pete McDonough was convicted during the Prohibition on bootlegging, a final unsuccessful appeal for clemency from the governor was signed by a former California governor, the secretary of state, [[Mayor "Sunny Jim" Rolph\|Mayor James Rolph]], three congressmen, one police commissioner, one judge of the appellate court, eleven superior court judges, two justices of the peace, four police judges, the city clerk, auditor, recorder, coroner, treasurer, tax collector, district attorney, three assistant district attorneys, and the vice president of the Bank of Italy (later Bank of America).		He soon expanded into protection and it was commonly acknowledged in the press that McDonough's organization was bribing everyone in sight. A grand jury concluded "No one can conduct a prostitution or gambling enterprise in San Francisco with the approval direct or indirect of the McDonough brothers." When Pete McDonough was convicted during the Prohibition on bootlegging, a final unsuccessful appeal for clemency from the governor was signed by a former California governor, the secretary of state, [[Mayor "Sunny Jim" Rolph\|Mayor James Rolph]], three congressmen, one police commissioner, one judge of the appellate court, eleven superior court judges, two justices of the peace, four police judges, the city clerk, auditor, recorder, coroner, treasurer, tax collector, district attorney, three assistant district attorneys, and the vice president of the Bank of Italy (later Bank of America).

Ccarlsson at 05:47, 4 September 2015

2015-09-04T05:47:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:47, 3 September 2015
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	from ''FOUNTAINHEAD OF CORRUPTION: Peter P. McDonough, Boss of San Francisco's Underworld'' by Merritt Barnes (''California History'', Volume LVIII, Summer 1979 No. 2) p. 142		from ''FOUNTAINHEAD OF CORRUPTION: Peter P. McDonough, Boss of San Francisco's Underworld'' by Merritt Barnes (''California History'', Volume LVIII, Summer 1979 No. 2) p. 142

	[[Image:Atherton-Report-headline-D.01.12a Atherton5.jpg]]		[[Image:Atherton-Report-headline-D.01.12a Atherton5.jpg\|720px]]

	[[Ships under Financial District \| Prev. Document]] [[San Francisco's Sleaziest Street - Yesterday and Today \| Next Document]]		[[Ships under Financial District \| Prev. Document]] [[San Francisco's Sleaziest Street - Yesterday and Today \| Next Document]]

	[[category:Downtown]] [[category:1910s]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:crime]] [[category:Famous characters]]		[[category:Downtown]] [[category:1910s]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:crime]] [[category:Famous characters]]

Ccarlsson at 05:46, 4 September 2015

2015-09-04T05:46:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:46, 3 September 2015
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	from ''FOUNTAINHEAD OF CORRUPTION: Peter P. McDonough, Boss of San Francisco's Underworld'' by Merritt Barnes (''California History'', Volume LVIII, Summer 1979 No. 2) p. 142		from ''FOUNTAINHEAD OF CORRUPTION: Peter P. McDonough, Boss of San Francisco's Underworld'' by Merritt Barnes (''California History'', Volume LVIII, Summer 1979 No. 2) p. 142

			[[Image:Atherton-Report-headline-D.01.12a Atherton5.jpg]]

	[[Ships under Financial District \| Prev. Document]] [[San Francisco's Sleaziest Street - Yesterday and Today \| Next Document]]		[[Ships under Financial District \| Prev. Document]] [[San Francisco's Sleaziest Street - Yesterday and Today \| Next Document]]

	[[category:Downtown]] [[category:1910s]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:crime]] [[category:Famous characters]]		[[category:Downtown]] [[category:1910s]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:crime]] [[category:Famous characters]]

Ccarlsson at 05:44, 4 September 2015

2015-09-04T05:44:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:44, 3 September 2015
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	Picking up in the wake of the discredited [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Boss Ruef Machine]], Peter McDonough and his brother Tom, owners of a saloon at Kearny and Clay, became the central leaders of San Francisco crime life in the period 1910-1941. Al Capone was quoted as saying, "the more lucrative forms of crime were so highly organized and well protected that outsiders couldn't break into San Francisco." McDonough's quiet, unobtrusive, efficient and locally-owned management of the vice trade included ample protection from all levels of the police department, which perhaps explains why the city was spared the violent gangland confrontations that plagued eastern cities.		Picking up in the wake of the discredited [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Boss Ruef Machine]], Peter McDonough and his brother Tom, owners of a saloon at Kearny and Clay, became the central leaders of San Francisco crime life in the period 1910-1941. Al Capone was quoted as saying, "the more lucrative forms of crime were so highly organized and well protected that outsiders couldn't break into San Francisco." McDonough's quiet, unobtrusive, efficient and locally-owned management of the vice trade included ample protection from all levels of the police department, which perhaps explains why the city was spared the violent gangland confrontations that plagued eastern cities.

	San Francisco was always an open town for prostitution and gambling. When the [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Union Labor Party]] scandals broke after the earthquake, popular support for reform was soon satisfied, and by 1910 a majority of San Franciscans wanted a return to the prosperous business conditions that existed pre-earthquake. Common was the admonition, "don't talk earthquake, talk business." The big corporate leaders who had been the source of bribes and corruption, lawyers and executives from Southern Pacific, United Railroads, PG&E, Pacific Telephone, and so on, remained untouched as they were acquitted or their indictments were withdrawn. Convicted Mayor Schmitz~~''' '''~~had his case thrown out on a technicality and never served any time.		San Francisco was always an open town for prostitution and gambling. When the [[Abe Ruef and the Union Labor Party \|Union Labor Party]] scandals broke after the earthquake, popular support for reform was soon satisfied, and by 1910 a majority of San Franciscans wanted a return to the prosperous business conditions that existed pre-earthquake. Common was the admonition, "don't talk earthquake, talk business." The big corporate leaders who had been the source of bribes and corruption, lawyers and executives from Southern Pacific, United Railroads, PG&E, Pacific Telephone, and so on, remained untouched as they were acquitted or their indictments were withdrawn. Convicted Mayor Schmitz had his case thrown out on a technicality and never served any time.

	Into this void stepped the McDonough brothers, Pete gaining the moniker "King of the Tenderloin." After being born and raised in the Cow Hollow (now Marina) district, Pete and his brother Tom took over their father's bar, a landmark which had survived the May 3, 1851 fire and the 1906 earthquake and fire. With its close proximity to the then Hall of Justice on Montgomery, Pete had by 1896 developed the first ever bail bond business at "The Corner," as it was known. As time went on, Peter McDonough and his representatives built a powerful business by providing all possible services for an accused person, from posting bond to providing a lawyer. A pioneer in the "information services" industry that dominates late 20th century SF, McDonough developed a network of wireless communications with outlying police stations. Within minutes of an arrest, McDonough's nephew was hailing a taxi to find a judge to sign an OR (order of release) form, and the client was soon free. Naturally, everyone was on the take, and McDonough was raking it in.		Into this void stepped the McDonough brothers, Pete gaining the moniker "King of the Tenderloin." After being born and raised in the Cow Hollow (now Marina) district, Pete and his brother Tom took over their father's bar, a landmark which had survived the May 3, 1851 fire and the 1906 earthquake and fire. With its close proximity to the then Hall of Justice on Montgomery, Pete had by 1896 developed the first ever bail bond business at "The Corner," as it was known. As time went on, Peter McDonough and his representatives built a powerful business by providing all possible services for an accused person, from posting bond to providing a lawyer. A pioneer in the "information services" industry that dominates late 20th century SF, McDonough developed a network of wireless communications with outlying police stations. Within minutes of an arrest, McDonough's nephew was hailing a taxi to find a judge to sign an OR (order of release) form, and the client was soon free. Naturally, everyone was on the take, and McDonough was raking it in.

			[[Image:McDonough-headline-D.01.jpg]]

			'''1920s headlines already indicting the McDonough brothers for their role in organized crime in San Francisco.'''

	[[Image:Cushman-May-25-1958-Portsmouth-Sq-and-Hall-ofJustice-P09936.jpg]]		[[Image:Cushman-May-25-1958-Portsmouth-Sq-and-Hall-ofJustice-P09936.jpg]]

Ccarlsson: added Cushman photo with link

2009-07-01T23:55:21Z

added Cushman photo with link

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:55, 1 July 2009
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	Into this void stepped the McDonough brothers, Pete gaining the moniker "King of the Tenderloin." After being born and raised in the Cow Hollow (now Marina) district, Pete and his brother Tom took over their father's bar, a landmark which had survived the May 3, 1851 fire and the 1906 earthquake and fire. With its close proximity to the then Hall of Justice on Montgomery, Pete had by 1896 developed the first ever bail bond business at "The Corner," as it was known. As time went on, Peter McDonough and his representatives built a powerful business by providing all possible services for an accused person, from posting bond to providing a lawyer. A pioneer in the "information services" industry that dominates late 20th century SF, McDonough developed a network of wireless communications with outlying police stations. Within minutes of an arrest, McDonough's nephew was hailing a taxi to find a judge to sign an OR (order of release) form, and the client was soon free. Naturally, everyone was on the take, and McDonough was raking it in.		Into this void stepped the McDonough brothers, Pete gaining the moniker "King of the Tenderloin." After being born and raised in the Cow Hollow (now Marina) district, Pete and his brother Tom took over their father's bar, a landmark which had survived the May 3, 1851 fire and the 1906 earthquake and fire. With its close proximity to the then Hall of Justice on Montgomery, Pete had by 1896 developed the first ever bail bond business at "The Corner," as it was known. As time went on, Peter McDonough and his representatives built a powerful business by providing all possible services for an accused person, from posting bond to providing a lawyer. A pioneer in the "information services" industry that dominates late 20th century SF, McDonough developed a network of wireless communications with outlying police stations. Within minutes of an arrest, McDonough's nephew was hailing a taxi to find a judge to sign an OR (order of release) form, and the client was soon free. Naturally, everyone was on the take, and McDonough was raking it in.

			[[Image:Cushman-May-25-1958-Portsmouth-Sq-and-Hall-ofJustice-P09936.jpg]]

			'''The Old Hall of Justice on Montgomery Street across from Portsmouth Square, May 25, 1958.'''

			[http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/ ''Charles Cushman Collection: Indiana University Archives (P09936)'']

	He soon expanded into protection and it was commonly acknowledged in the press that McDonough's organization was bribing everyone in sight. A grand jury concluded "No one can conduct a prostitution or gambling enterprise in San Francisco with the approval direct or indirect of the McDonough brothers." When Pete McDonough was convicted during the Prohibition on bootlegging, a final unsuccessful appeal for clemency from the governor was signed by a former California governor, the secretary of state, [[Mayor "Sunny Jim" Rolph\|Mayor James Rolph]], three congressmen, one police commissioner, one judge of the appellate court, eleven superior court judges, two justices of the peace, four police judges, the city clerk, auditor, recorder, coroner, treasurer, tax collector, district attorney, three assistant district attorneys, and the vice president of the Bank of Italy (later Bank of America).		He soon expanded into protection and it was commonly acknowledged in the press that McDonough's organization was bribing everyone in sight. A grand jury concluded "No one can conduct a prostitution or gambling enterprise in San Francisco with the approval direct or indirect of the McDonough brothers." When Pete McDonough was convicted during the Prohibition on bootlegging, a final unsuccessful appeal for clemency from the governor was signed by a former California governor, the secretary of state, [[Mayor "Sunny Jim" Rolph\|Mayor James Rolph]], three congressmen, one police commissioner, one judge of the appellate court, eleven superior court judges, two justices of the peace, four police judges, the city clerk, auditor, recorder, coroner, treasurer, tax collector, district attorney, three assistant district attorneys, and the vice president of the Bank of Italy (later Bank of America).

Ccarlsson at 22:03, 2 January 2009

2009-01-02T22:03:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, 2 January 2009
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	Pete McDonough was also a friend to the working man and his organizations. He often provided free bail to men arrested in strikes, and had been given a commemorative plaque for his support to arrested strikers in the [[Bloody Tuesday\|1907-08 streetcar strike]]. The Building and Metal Trades rose to his defense when he was accused of bribery. During the attempt to get a pardon on his 1923 bootlegging conviction, the San Francisco Labor Council issued a statement calling McDonough "at all times a valuable and consistent friend of organized labor."		Pete McDonough was also a friend to the working man and his organizations. He often provided free bail to men arrested in strikes, and had been given a commemorative plaque for his support to arrested strikers in the [[Bloody Tuesday\|1907-08 streetcar strike]]. The Building and Metal Trades rose to his defense when he was accused of bribery. During the attempt to get a pardon on his 1923 bootlegging conviction, the San Francisco Labor Council issued a statement calling McDonough "at all times a valuable and consistent friend of organized labor."

	[[Image:District attorney Matthew Brady 1937 AAA-5706.jpg]		[[Image:District attorney Matthew Brady 1937 AAA-5706.jpg]]

	'''March 26, 1937: Arms raised, District Attorney Matthew Brady today declared he was not indebted to McDonough Brothers and never had business transactions with them. When questioned concerning the $1100 note purportedly held by Peter J. ("Pete") McDonough, Brady declared the indebtness was "an out and out lie." He seeks to question McDonough concerning the note the latter holds.'''		'''March 26, 1937: Arms raised, District Attorney Matthew Brady today declared he was not indebted to McDonough Brothers and never had business transactions with them. When questioned concerning the $1100 note purportedly held by Peter J. ("Pete") McDonough, Brady declared the indebtness was "an out and out lie." He seeks to question McDonough concerning the note the latter holds.'''

Ccarlsson: added Brady photo/anecdote

2009-01-02T22:02:59Z

added Brady photo/anecdote

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:02, 2 January 2009
Line 20:		Line 20:

	Pete McDonough was also a friend to the working man and his organizations. He often provided free bail to men arrested in strikes, and had been given a commemorative plaque for his support to arrested strikers in the [[Bloody Tuesday\|1907-08 streetcar strike]]. The Building and Metal Trades rose to his defense when he was accused of bribery. During the attempt to get a pardon on his 1923 bootlegging conviction, the San Francisco Labor Council issued a statement calling McDonough "at all times a valuable and consistent friend of organized labor."		Pete McDonough was also a friend to the working man and his organizations. He often provided free bail to men arrested in strikes, and had been given a commemorative plaque for his support to arrested strikers in the [[Bloody Tuesday\|1907-08 streetcar strike]]. The Building and Metal Trades rose to his defense when he was accused of bribery. During the attempt to get a pardon on his 1923 bootlegging conviction, the San Francisco Labor Council issued a statement calling McDonough "at all times a valuable and consistent friend of organized labor."

			[[Image:District attorney Matthew Brady 1937 AAA-5706.jpg]

			'''March 26, 1937: Arms raised, District Attorney Matthew Brady today declared he was not indebted to McDonough Brothers and never had business transactions with them. When questioned concerning the $1100 note purportedly held by Peter J. ("Pete") McDonough, Brady declared the indebtness was "an out and out lie." He seeks to question McDonough concerning the note the latter holds.'''

			''Photo: San Francisco History Center, SF Public Library''

	McDonough's empire started to unravel under the disintegrating pressure of the Depression in the early 1930's. The traditional political leaders in government and organized labor with whom he was in close contact lost their power as rising social militancy led to the [[The General Strike of 1934\|1934 General Strike]], the rise of the CIO and a Roosevelt-ian surge in the Democratic Party. By 1935 the FBI had sent agent Edwin Atherton to investigate police corruption. His report named 67 police and 24 government officials, asserting that "McDonough Brothers was found to be a fountainhead of corruption willing to interest itself in almost any matter designed to defeat or circumvent the law." When his support evaporated in the heat of the political climate, McDonough was ultimately stripped of his bail bond license and his power was soon broken.		McDonough's empire started to unravel under the disintegrating pressure of the Depression in the early 1930's. The traditional political leaders in government and organized labor with whom he was in close contact lost their power as rising social militancy led to the [[The General Strike of 1934\|1934 General Strike]], the rise of the CIO and a Roosevelt-ian surge in the Democratic Party. By 1935 the FBI had sent agent Edwin Atherton to investigate police corruption. His report named 67 police and 24 government officials, asserting that "McDonough Brothers was found to be a fountainhead of corruption willing to interest itself in almost any matter designed to defeat or circumvent the law." When his support evaporated in the heat of the political climate, McDonough was ultimately stripped of his bail bond license and his power was soon broken.

Ccarlsson at 21:58, 2 January 2009

2009-01-02T21:58:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 2 January 2009
Line 23:		Line 23:
	McDonough's empire started to unravel under the disintegrating pressure of the Depression in the early 1930's. The traditional political leaders in government and organized labor with whom he was in close contact lost their power as rising social militancy led to the [[The General Strike of 1934\|1934 General Strike]], the rise of the CIO and a Roosevelt-ian surge in the Democratic Party. By 1935 the FBI had sent agent Edwin Atherton to investigate police corruption. His report named 67 police and 24 government officials, asserting that "McDonough Brothers was found to be a fountainhead of corruption willing to interest itself in almost any matter designed to defeat or circumvent the law." When his support evaporated in the heat of the political climate, McDonough was ultimately stripped of his bail bond license and his power was soon broken.		McDonough's empire started to unravel under the disintegrating pressure of the Depression in the early 1930's. The traditional political leaders in government and organized labor with whom he was in close contact lost their power as rising social militancy led to the [[The General Strike of 1934\|1934 General Strike]], the rise of the CIO and a Roosevelt-ian surge in the Democratic Party. By 1935 the FBI had sent agent Edwin Atherton to investigate police corruption. His report named 67 police and 24 government officials, asserting that "McDonough Brothers was found to be a fountainhead of corruption willing to interest itself in almost any matter designed to defeat or circumvent the law." When his support evaporated in the heat of the political climate, McDonough was ultimately stripped of his bail bond license and his power was soon broken.

	from "FOUNTAINHEAD OF CORRUPTION: Peter P. McDonough, Boss of San Francisco's Underworld'' by Merritt Barnes (''California History'', Volume LVIII, Summer 1979 No. 2) p. 142		from ''FOUNTAINHEAD OF CORRUPTION: Peter P. McDonough, Boss of San Francisco's Underworld'' by Merritt Barnes (''California History'', Volume LVIII, Summer 1979 No. 2) p. 142

	[[Ships under Financial District \| Prev. Document]] [[San Francisco's Sleaziest Street - Yesterday and Today \| Next Document]]		[[Ships under Financial District \| Prev. Document]] [[San Francisco's Sleaziest Street - Yesterday and Today \| Next Document]]

	[[category:Downtown]] [[category:1910s]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:crime]] [[category:Famous characters]]		[[category:Downtown]] [[category:1910s]] [[category:1920s]] [[category:1930s]] [[category:1940s]] [[category:crime]] [[category:Famous characters]]