I' d say Trafficante, but in Ragano's book, when he said that a congressman or whoever in politics wanted to go partners with him in a custodial supply business, he sent Ragano to NY to get approval...I found that shocking...

NY said forget about it, there's no money it, but Trafficante was smart enough to just say, we'll give him the money he needs and he'll owe us

Overall, although Marcello held an ironclad control over N.O. and several adjoining areas, his power, although massive and all pervasive, was still regional in scope.

Whereas, Trafficante, was international with some of his endeavors.

Both were highly, highly respected. Thats why I posed the question to the forum in the first place. But for my money, Trafficante edges out Marcello.

My 2 cents also...absolutly..

Absolutely what Hoodlum?