Late in 1933 a powerful, cantankerous Chicago unionist named Michael J. ("Umbrella Mike") Boyle took umbrage at the management of the swank Edgewater Beach Hotel. Some said (and Mike Boyle denied) that the hotel had refused to let him live there; others, that a dispute over recognition of his electrical union got his dander up. Tough "Umbrella Mike"*knows much about the dark & bloody side of Chicago unionism, twice went to jail (for contempt of court, conspiracy to restrain trade). He was also tough enough to call out Edgewater Beach electricians, declare a...
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