This chapter traces the unraveling of Robert Moses’ Title I Slum Clearance program in New York City, spotlighting the crucial role investigative journalists played in uncovering corruption, mismanagement, and the devastating social consequences of urban renewal. The story opens with Gene Gleason, a reporter for the World-Telegram and Sun, who, motivated by the fallout from the “Battle of Central Park,” launches a deep investigation into Moses’ policies. With backing from his editors, Gleason pieces together scattered evidence—like the empty lots left after demolitions and the incentives developers had to stall construction—into a compelling critique that challenges the city’s narrative of progress.
The chapter doesn’t shy away from the obstacles journalists faced. Gleason and his colleague Fred J. Cook ran into a wall of secrecy, as city officials, wary of Moses’ power, refused to speak on the record. Still, the reporters managed to reveal a pattern of abuse: developers such as Caspert and Company were profiting from the system while neglecting their responsibilities to pay taxes or provide housing. Even after their exposés made headlines, most major newspapers and city leaders, including Mayor Wagner, minimized Moses’ involvement and dismissed the allegations. Only when a major project collapsed financially did the city finally acknowledge the scandal, vindicating the journalists’ persistence and exposing the administration’s reluctance to confront clear evidence of wrongdoing.
The chapter goes on to examine the political and financial forces that protected Moses and his allies. Despite growing media scrutiny and public outrage, Moses remained untouchable, thanks to his control over patronage and city contracts, which kept the political machine running. When the troubled Manhattantown project was handed over to Webb & Knapp, the original developers not only avoided punishment but walked away with generous payouts and promises of future profits. Although the city made minor changes in response to public pressure, the underlying corruption remained, underscoring the depth of Moses’ influence.
A significant section focuses on Moses’ vision for Lincoln Center, a project that encapsulated both his ambition and the controversy surrounding his methods. To make way for luxury apartments and cultural landmarks, Moses orchestrated the displacement of 7,000 low-income families and 800 businesses. Most news coverage ignored the human toll, zeroing in instead on financial scandals, such as the undervalued sale of land to favored developers and the expensive purchase of property owned by the Kennedy family. Federal officials, including Albert M. Cole, challenged Moses’ tactics, but his political connections and support from influential media outlets like the New York Times allowed him to maintain his grip on power and funding.
The chapter also discusses the personal and professional struggles of journalists like Gleason and Cook. They faced pushback from their own editors and were often shut out by city officials. Their stories were sometimes buried, and the myth of Moses as an incorruptible public servant persisted, making it hard to change public opinion. Despite these setbacks, Gleason and Cook’s dedication to exposing injustice inspired them to join forces with a new wave of young, idealistic reporters—Bill Haddad, Woody Klein, and Mary Perot Nichols among them. This emerging group, less intimidated by Moses’ reputation, began collaborating, sharing leads, and gradually shifting the tone of press coverage.
The chapter ends with the unmasking of Sidney J. Ungar, a supposed anti-slum advocate who was actually a slumlord, and the growing momentum of investigative journalism. Energized by the determination of these younger reporters, the press brought widespread attention to the injustices of urban renewal. Their efforts marked a turning point, paving the way for greater scrutiny of Moses’ actions and signaling a shift in the city’s willingness to challenge entrenched power.