Organized Crime
Individuals with ties to organized crime had both direct and indirect involvement with the operations of Manhattan. During prohibition, Johnny Torrio was the primary owner, and later Al Capone was associated with illicit activities at the brewery during the Malt Maid Products / Fort Dearborn Products era. During and after the Prohibition era, Lou Greenberg (finance man for Al Capone) was a primary owner and manager of Manhattan. In April, 1933 respectable Arthur Lueder was installed as President.
According to the book After Capone, when Frank Nitti committed suicide in 1943, he owned 85 percent of the stock in Manhattan and also owned an interest in the Prima-Bismark brewing company.
Manhattan had run-ins with federal authorities, mainly for deceptive marketing practices which often suggested beer produced at their brewery in Chicago was produced by different breweries, or in different locations. The ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30 1944 mentions the following case pending in the courts: "Manhattan Brewing Co., Chicago.--Seventh Circuit (Chicago), misleading use of words “Canadian” and “Wisconsin” in brand or trade names for beer or ale not brewed in Canada or Wisconsin." The Canadian (Ace) issue drags on through 1945 and 1946.
Manhattan was also known to pressure the Chicago barteners union to push Manhattan products.
Read more about this topic: Manhattan Brewing Company Of Chicago
Famous quotes containing the words organized and/or crime:
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