Books: What Elmer Did

THE TAX DODGERS (288 pp.)—Elmer L Irey, as told to William J. Slocum—Greenberg ($3).

Tough little Willie Bioff, big-shot labor racketeer, was testifying. "We had about 20 percent of Hollywood when we got in trouble. If we hadn't got loused up we'd of had 50 percent. I had Hollywood dancin' to my tune." Willie's compelling tune was extortion; the insistent drumbeat in the background was the threat of physical violence. Studio employees and motion-picture-machine operators joined his labor union—or else. Hollywood studio czars chipped in millions to stop the music —and keep their...