Opening Moves In the Vegas War

News soon came back to Chicago that there were some strange happenings taking place in Vegas. Tony Spilotro carried to the Outfit the word that it appeared that New York was attempting to carry out some sort of plan in Vegas at the expense of Chicago's interests. Tony Accardo made two moves to deal with this threat to the Outfit's power base in the desert. First he sent some of his soldiers into the Vegas area to display to New York that he did not plan to roll over without a fight and to keep their ears to the ground to collect additional information. Second he called for a meeting of the Commission to determine where it stood in relation to Bonanno's actions in Vegas. If it appeared that Bonanno had support from the Commission Accardo needed to know this to make a determination as to what actions he should take in the future.

Accardo openly accused Bonanno of attempting to move into Chicago's fiefdom in Vegas. He pointed out to the Commission that the move was being made in violation to the agreement made in relation to interests in Vegas and Atlantic City. He was aware that the only two present at the meeting formulating this rule still serving on the Commission were he and Bonanno. He asked if the new faces at the table had decided to ignore the rule or if it was still in force. He demanded a vote from the Commission to deal with the problem and to make clear the position they intended to take. His demand was met with silence until John Gotti, a new face on the Commission, expressed the view that Accardo and Bonanno should step outside while the other members present discussed the issue and request.

As the members of the Commission met all were aware that most of the representatives from New York were aware of Bonanno's plans and that they would benefit from its success. They had been promised part of the loot that would be made available if Bonanno could make the plan succeed. Yet they did not want an all out war between all the factions of the Commission and needed to find a way to let Chicago and New York work out their differences without involving all the other Families. As a solution, Gotti informed both Bonanno and Accardo that a decision could be reached at this time and the Commission would continue to review the matter. Both Bonanno and Accardo left the meeting well aware of the actions that would need to be taken to protect the interests of their families and holdings in Vegas. Mediation had failed and each Family knew it would have to prove their willingness to push for their own interests in the desert.

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