Well, there was no #1 in a sense that #1 controlled everything. One boss, one vote on the Commission. What it all came down to was to have allies on the Commission. It all worked while there were two philosphical blocs on the Commission. When the conservative bloc was no more, the idea of having a Commission, went downhill.

I agree with you that it was a smart move by Gambino having his son marry Lucchese´s daughter. I´m sure you know this, but having offspring marrying eachother to strengthen and preserve a friendship/business relationship between two bosses with same philosophy and mentality did not start with Gambino. It´s a tradition as old as the Sicilian mountains.