biography
| name: |
Pendergast, Thomas (Joseph)
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1872–1945)
|
| biography:
| Political boss, born in St Joseph, Missouri, USA. Although he held only minor offices, he became a Democratic ward boss in Kansas City by 1910, and by the 1920s had extended his political control through much of Kansas by various corrupt practices. Harry S Truman started out under his wing. Pendergast expanded his influence during the New Deal by controlling public works projects. In 1939 he was convicted of income-tax evasion and served 15 months in Leavenworth Prison. |
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