Harbor,” 85 according to the Sun newspaper; however, an internal conflict within the ILA caused Kelly to be stripped of his vice-presidency on April 19. In true Kelly fashion, within four weeks he created a new longshoremen’s association called the Riverfront and Transport Workers Federation, announced on May 13, 1919, consisting of mostly Italian Americans who defected with Kelly from the ILA.
Shortly after losing his position in the ILA, Kelly founded the union trade newspaper called the Loyal Labor Legion Review . The first issue was largely dedicated to his removal from office, where Kelly claimed that twenty-two thousand members from twenty-two unions defected from the ILA to his new Riverfront Association. Kelly was actually brought back by Mayor John F. Hylan to help negotiate an end to the ILA strike later that year.
Labeled “Labor’s Lightning Change Artist” by the New York Times in the 1920s, over the next several years, Kelly was hired as a consultant or “business agent” to various unions throughout the tri-state area. A newspaper reported, “M ASTER OF M ANY T RADES . Versatile Organizer Can Load a Ship, Mix Mortar, Carry Hod, Plaster and Lay Bricks.” 86 Kelly utilized all kinds of creative methods to qualify for membership to various unions, including the time in 1923 when he learned to play the drums in order to officially join the Musical Mutual Protective Union to manage its business affairs.
In the summer of 1931, Kelly established and became president of the Loyal Labor Legion (2276 First Avenue), named after his newspaper of the same name. This “anti-union” union was considered a pioneering movement intended to “astound old line labor leaders.” The legion called for “the right of men and women to work regardless of membership or non-membership in trade unions.”
In September 1931, the legion sponsored the only celebration for workers when New York City canceled its Labor Day Parade due to high unemployment rates. This outing turned into a popular annual event at Duer’s Park in Whitestone, Queens. Though the Loyal Labor Legion gained a lot of steam and popularity, it seems to have disappeared after Kelly’s death in 1936.
According to the testimony of Joe Valachi, Kelly was doing business with the Mafia well into the 1930s, toward the very end of the gangster’s colorful and influential life.
L ANZA , J OSEPH
67–69 Market Street, 1920; 102 Madison Street, 1930; 300 West Twenty-third Street, Apartment 14H, 1950s
Alias: Socks, Joe Zotz
Born: August 18, 1900, New York City
Died: October 11, 1968, New York City
Association: Genovese crime family capo
Several stints in prison did nothing to curb Lanza’s lengthy criminal career, which dates back to 1917 and lasts through the 1960s. This infamous boss of the Fulton Fish Market was described by the FBN as “one of the most accomplished terrorists in connection with labor racketeering” in the city.
Joseph Lanza mug shot, circa 1940.
Joseph’s father, Salvatore Lanza (1865–1920s), arrived in New York City from Sicily in 1895. His mother, Carmella Lofaso (September 14, 1882–?), immigrated in 1900, and the pair settled on the Lower East Side. Joseph was born soon after Carmella’s arrival; he would be the first of nine children and take on the responsibility of head of the household when his father passed away.
Fulton Fish Market, 1951. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). Photo by F. Palumbo .
In a 1920 federal census, Joseph Lanza is listed as a driver at the (Fulton) “fish market.” By 1930, father Salvatore was out of the picture, and Joseph was listed as “head” of the family, living with his new wife, Rose; his mother, Carmella; and seven siblings at 102 Madison Street and working as a “delegate” for the “fish union.”
In August 1924, young Joseph and a fireman named William Seavers saved two men from drowning when a group of four drunken
Shortly after losing his position in the ILA, Kelly founded the union trade newspaper called the Loyal Labor Legion Review . The first issue was largely dedicated to his removal from office, where Kelly claimed that twenty-two thousand members from twenty-two unions defected from the ILA to his new Riverfront Association. Kelly was actually brought back by Mayor John F. Hylan to help negotiate an end to the ILA strike later that year.
Labeled “Labor’s Lightning Change Artist” by the New York Times in the 1920s, over the next several years, Kelly was hired as a consultant or “business agent” to various unions throughout the tri-state area. A newspaper reported, “M ASTER OF M ANY T RADES . Versatile Organizer Can Load a Ship, Mix Mortar, Carry Hod, Plaster and Lay Bricks.” 86 Kelly utilized all kinds of creative methods to qualify for membership to various unions, including the time in 1923 when he learned to play the drums in order to officially join the Musical Mutual Protective Union to manage its business affairs.
In the summer of 1931, Kelly established and became president of the Loyal Labor Legion (2276 First Avenue), named after his newspaper of the same name. This “anti-union” union was considered a pioneering movement intended to “astound old line labor leaders.” The legion called for “the right of men and women to work regardless of membership or non-membership in trade unions.”
In September 1931, the legion sponsored the only celebration for workers when New York City canceled its Labor Day Parade due to high unemployment rates. This outing turned into a popular annual event at Duer’s Park in Whitestone, Queens. Though the Loyal Labor Legion gained a lot of steam and popularity, it seems to have disappeared after Kelly’s death in 1936.
According to the testimony of Joe Valachi, Kelly was doing business with the Mafia well into the 1930s, toward the very end of the gangster’s colorful and influential life.
L ANZA , J OSEPH
67–69 Market Street, 1920; 102 Madison Street, 1930; 300 West Twenty-third Street, Apartment 14H, 1950s
Alias: Socks, Joe Zotz
Born: August 18, 1900, New York City
Died: October 11, 1968, New York City
Association: Genovese crime family capo
Several stints in prison did nothing to curb Lanza’s lengthy criminal career, which dates back to 1917 and lasts through the 1960s. This infamous boss of the Fulton Fish Market was described by the FBN as “one of the most accomplished terrorists in connection with labor racketeering” in the city.
Joseph Lanza mug shot, circa 1940.
Joseph’s father, Salvatore Lanza (1865–1920s), arrived in New York City from Sicily in 1895. His mother, Carmella Lofaso (September 14, 1882–?), immigrated in 1900, and the pair settled on the Lower East Side. Joseph was born soon after Carmella’s arrival; he would be the first of nine children and take on the responsibility of head of the household when his father passed away.
Fulton Fish Market, 1951. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). Photo by F. Palumbo .
In a 1920 federal census, Joseph Lanza is listed as a driver at the (Fulton) “fish market.” By 1930, father Salvatore was out of the picture, and Joseph was listed as “head” of the family, living with his new wife, Rose; his mother, Carmella; and seven siblings at 102 Madison Street and working as a “delegate” for the “fish union.”
In August 1924, young Joseph and a fireman named William Seavers saved two men from drowning when a group of four drunken
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