The core of Manhattan's sprawling 18th Congressional District is a verminous, crime-ridden slum called East Harlem. Its hordes of Italians, Puerto Ricans, Jews and Negroes have traditionally voted Republican. But in the last decade a new force came into power: the patchwork patronage machine of shrill, stooped, angry-eyed, pro-Communist Representative Vito
Marcantonio. The little padrone was the passionate 18th's new-style ward boss and idol.
But last week New York politicos were talking about the fact that Vito's eight year hammer lock on his district had begun to slip. His grip was partially loosened...