I wouln´t call either Masseria nor Maranzano retarded. Masseria was cunning and shrewd as the rest of the bosses.
Maranzano was an educated man, studied to become a priest and spoke several languages, including Latin.
Maranzano was certainly a man with principles and values. That is why he clashed with the younger breed of gangsters, represented by Luciano, who didn´t value the old tradition that much.
An interesting description of Maranzano regarding his voice was made by Bonanno in his book "A Man of Honor":
"His voice...ah, his voice. What an important aspect of a man, his voice. We remember voices, it seems to me, more than we do faces. Sound seems to be more ancient than sight.
He had a sweet voice, not at all buff or grasso profundo. His voice had an entrancing echolike quality. When Maranzano used his voice assertively, to give a command, he was the bellknocker and you were the bell."

Just to remind you Tiger, Lucky Luciano (regardless of if he was framed or not) was sentenced to 30-50 years imprisonment for extorting prostitutes and this after a five year reign as boss. The question remains. How long would he have lasted today?