Why Didn't Costello Retaliate Against Genovese?

This is something I never quite understood, why didn't Costello, a man who, by all accounts, had a lot of people in his pocket, not retaliate against Genovese for attempting to have him killed? Was his position as boss that weak? Did he just not have the stomach for war? What gives?

After the assination attempt vito genevese had a "family meeting" where all the captains, except one who was later killed, pledged their allegiance to genevese. Also costellos biggest ally on the commision,anastasia was killed and replaced by carlo gambino who was an ally of genevese. So i guess he didnt have the support to remain boss. Imo he probly was happier retiring to florida where he kept his gambling rackets rather then start a war.

It seems as if Costello wasn't as popular within certain parts of his own family as he was with others. Some say he relied on Willie Morreti for protection within his own family and Anastasia outside, especially when he became boss. I have read in certain places though that Luchesse was the main conspirator with Genovese rather than Gambino, no idea if it's true though.

Ya i didnt mean to imply that gambino conspired with genevese, just that he was more likely to side with genevese over costello. And besides moretti costello also relied on joe adonis too until he was deported.

He lost his muscle first with Willie and Anastasia being hit next.Vito line up all the capos to support him and with lucky deport Frank back was against the wall.No Support to fight a war.

I know you weren't, i only quoted your comment because i agreed with most of it and didn't have much to add.

Also, Costello's agreement to testify before the Kefauver subcommittee in 1951 (his testimony was televised, with only his hands showing) brought him a lot of government scrutiny. He served prison terms for three convictions in the Fifties, and I have to believe that they took a lot out of him. He was hankering for respectability, and I suppose he just didn't think the fight was worth it anymore.

Joe Bonanno's autobiography, "A Man of Honor" [sic], provides a very good description of the Commission meeting in which Costello accused Genovese and Tommy Lucchese of plotting against him.

Totally agree with these two posts. Costello had lost all support when Genovese took over. Lucchese being a wheeler and dealer is hugely underated by most of us. Evidence support Lucchese being behind and in the shadows of many things that occured in the late 1950s/early 1960s. He desired Costello´s power, position and influence with the NY politicians and judges. He used a number of people to get what he wanted; Genovese, Gambino and Magaddino all did his bidding in one form or another. And as TB stated, Lucchese´s conniving may have started during a Commission meeting where he was accused of wanting Costello dead.

Agree 100% with your assessment of Tommy Lucchese. His power is overlooked. His alliance with Carlo Gambino made them both the top bosses in the country. IMO.

I agree in that TL was stronger than many give him credit for. I still say he is overlooked in his smarts and "playing the game" with Gambino and others too.

On Costello I agree with Turnbull, I think he didn't have the fight in him or he decided it was better to run off and live off the gambling money than it was to die.

Agree on Lucchese being underrated. Just one correction, at a Commission meeting, Costello uncovered a plot by Lucchese to kill Anastasia, not himself.

On Costello, a comparison might be made with Paul Castellano. Both men had a reputation for being more white collar. As underboss, Vito rallied support with blue collar faction.

Yes you are right. I stand corrected. (Haven´t read the Bonanno book for quite some time.)