"Because they benefited the most from it," Barzini replied.
The old Godfather shook his head, "Barzini, that reason doesn't convince . After the Selton family's internal conflict, their territory was left vacant. So Latinos wanted to move in, so the Los Angeles gang stepped in to take control of the territory."
"It's better for the territory to be in the hands of the Los Angeles gang than in the hands of the xicans. Don't you agree?" the old Godfather said.
Barzini looked at the old Godfather and said sternly, "Vito, are you suggesting we violate the rules set by the Commission and support an outsider? I know you have a good relationship with John Hardy."
The old Godfather remained unflustered by Barzini's accusation.
"After the San Francisco incident, I did speak with Hardy. He told he didn't want to see Mafia territory fall into the hands of others. That's the only reason he sent people into the Selton family's territory."
"Heh, is he really that kind hearted?" Barzini sneered.
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"Why not? After all, the Los Angeles gang is rooted in the Mafia. We could be one big family. Hardy told that if the Commission agreed, he would be willing to let the Los Angeles gang join the Commission," the old Godfather said.
At this point, the head of the Lucchese family spoke up, "The Los Angeles gang is currently the largest gang on the West Coast, with considerable strength. If they could join us, it would certainly enhance our Mafia."
The head of the Bruno family in Philadelphia nodded in agreent, "Yes, our presence on the West Coast is too weak, we almost have no family there. The strength of the Los Angeles gang is evident, and if we want to expand our business on the West Coast in the future, we'll need a powerful partner."
Many of the family heads also spoke up, agreeing that the Los Angeles gang should be absorbed into the Commission. Barzini's face beca exceptionally grim. His purpose for convening the eting was to address the San Francisco situation and eliminate the Los Angeles gang, yet these guys were now discussing bringing the Los Angeles gang into the Commission.
This enraged Barzini.
He abruptly stood up and said in a deep voice, "I strongly oppose this. All our families here are of Italian descent, and the Commission families must also be of Italian descent. Outsiders are simply not trustworthy."
The old Godfather also stood up, looking Barzini in the eye, and said hoarsely, "Barzini, I think it's ti you changed your thinking."
Then he scanned the other family heads and said loudly, "The Mafia originated in Sicily, no doubt about that. Later, for survival, we ca to Arica and developed our businesses. At that ti, every city had families of various sizes. Later, for better developnt, we ford the Commission.
"The original purpose of forming the Commission was to resolve disputes and promote our better developnt. This is not a reason to be complacent."
"In our families, there are now many non Italian mbers, many of whom have risen to high positions. Also, many of us here were born in Arica, like Al Capone, who was born in Brooklyn, New York. What does that count as? Are we supposed to consider him Arican?"
"If you insist on restricting by region, then we should exclude everyone who isn't Sicilian. Barzini, I rember you're from Genoa by rights, we should kick you out too," the old Godfather said.
Barzini's face turned beet red, but he couldn't say a word to refute him.
The old Godfather then turned to the others and said, "Gentlen, I think it's ti we reconsider our approach. The Los Angeles gang, under Hardy, has developed very well. What harm would it do to have a capable, powerful family like them join us? As for San Francisco, I think it should be left to the Los Angeles gang."
Barzini's face was gloomy, but he still made one last attempt, saying coldly, "Since you all want the Los Angeles gang to join the Commission, I have no objection. But for now, we should focus on retrieving the San Francisco territory."
At this point, the old Godfather smiled slightly and said, "Gentlen, since everyone has expressed their views on this matter, how about we take a vote? Those in favor of the Los Angeles gang joining the Commission, please raise your hands."
Imdiately, the heads of the Lucchese, Bruno, Marcello, and Cunio families raised their hands, along with several others, including Corleone.
Barzini watched the hands rise, his face turning ashen.
In the end, over half of the people present raised their hands in favor.
The old Godfather turned to the rest of the people and said, "Gentlen, it seems we've reached a consensus. The Los Angeles gang will be welcod into the Commission. As for San Francisco, it will be left to them."
Barzini slamd his hand on the table and stood up abruptly. Without saying a word, he stord out of the conference hall. The heads of the Tattaglia and Stracci families also left one after another.
The atmosphere in the room was tense for a mont.
The old Godfather scanned the room, seeing everyone's gazes fixed on him, and said in a calm voice, "Gentlen, I'm getting old. I think it's ti to let the young people take over."
He then turned and left the conference hall.
The other heads watched as the old Godfather left, all with complex expressions on their faces.
This eting would go down in Mafia history as a pivotal mont. It marked the first ti an outsider had joined the Mafia Commission, and it symbolized the old Godfather's final victory over Barzini.
The Los Angeles gang, under Hardy, was officially welcod into the Mafia Commission, becoming a powerful ally of the Corleone family.
Barzini's plan to destroy the Los Angeles gang and Hardy was utterly thwarted, and from this mont on, the old Godfather's influence within the Mafia reached its peak.
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