But what is the exact reason why they now have so few members left compared to back in the days. I've read somewhere they decided to have less made members and more associates so they have more control over the organization. Is this the main reason?
At it's peak decades ago, the Outfit might have had as many as 200 members or so. Every family's size has declined to one degree or another, including Chicago. But there are other factors as well. As a result of both general attrition and massive prosecutions during the 1980's and 1990's, over the past 15 years, the Outfit has intentionally streamlined it's organization and operations, so as to have a smaller core and make less of a target for law enforcement. And, at least traditionally, they've had a larger ratio of associates. Though many don't seem to realize that it's not like in the old days where a non-Italian guy (like Humphries, Guzik, Alex, etc.) could reach the upper level of the hierarchy. Most of what made the Outfit a little different from other families in the U.S. no longer applies.
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