The 49’ers Bring Their Wagons into Vegas

When Bugsy Siegel's body fell to the floor in Los Angeles, June 20th 1947, three men walked into the Flamingo to explain it was now under new ownership. Gus Greenbaum, Morrie Rosen, and Moe Sidwirtz were to become caretakers of the desert area that would become the Vegas Strip. Gus would have his time in the Vegas sun and finally meet the same fate as Siegel. Rosen would rise up in the ranks of the mob and hold positions of power within the hierarchy of crime. And Moe would become recognized as Moe Sedway and become one of the major architects of the dream that Siegel had created for Vegas as a Mecca for organized crime.

Sedway would work with Moe Dalitz and the "Two Moes" would work toward the creation of a money making and cleaning machine for organized crime across America. Dalitz had rose to power in the area around Detroit and had the good sense to make friends with crime lords in both Chicago and New York. Dealing with both groups over the years he was able to gain their trust and respect. An example of the respect was displayed by Luciano's trip to meet with Dalitz and seek support and also by his attendance at the going-away party held for Luciano after his deportation decision. Dalitz had a reputation for knowing a great deal about the area of gambling. Crime lords in Chicago and New York sought his guidance and advice. and he could feel at home with the likes of; Frank Nitti, Frank Costello, Jake Guzik, Meyer Lansky, Tony Accardo, and Carlo Gambino. Dalitz was one of the crime figures that stayed in the background and had an influence on an entire generation of organized crime and its expansion.

It was based on this feeling of trust and respect that caused some of the New York crime leaders to request Dalitz to go to Vegas in 1946 to look over the potential for gambling in the area and collect information on their investment in the construction of the Flamingo. Some questions had arisen in relation to Siegel's handling of costs for the construction process. To maintain good relations with their brothers in Chicago, Dalitz was advised to stop over and meet with Murray Humphreys and Johnny Roselli. It was to be made clear that their opinions were respected and that New York planned to respect the concept of Vegas as an open city. Also Virginia Hill had close associations with the Chicago mob and her close relationship to Siegel in Vegas had a major part in their concerns about their investment.

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