Originally Posted by olivant
Doesn't Michael tell Tom that he has power over Fredo and his men?


Tom as the don, yes. It's hard to imagine Michael discussing Fredo's enterprises with him. One mistake Michael and Vito share is having a family member halfway in the Family, taking a living from the illegal side but not involved in the larger enterprise. It's a breeding ground for resentment.

"All of these men were good listeners; patient men."